The importance of measuring VTF at the right height when using the Kuzma 4-point etc

[Adagio]

At what height you measure VTF is very important, if you measure above the height of the record surface you will get the wrong VTF.
On some balanced tone arms this isn’t a problem but with the 4-point the most of the arms mass is so above the record surface, that it’s what they call a negatively balanced arm.
Anyway my gauge was way to high so I modified it slightly to get it to work properly with my 4-point.
I just cut a piece of thin aluminum and bent it in perfect angle, then glued it on the gauge. Since it automatically resets itself each time it’s turned of the extra weight doesn’t affect it.

 

[mtemur]

I bent original plate of the VTF gauge in order to lower measuring height to vinyl level. Works fine.

 

[Adagio]

I bent original plate of the VTF gauge in order to lower measuring height to vinyl level. Works fine.

I thought of that but it seemed a bit risky.

 

[J.R. Boisclair]

I suggest counterbalancing that scale surface. The strain gauge may throw off bad readings when it is subject to rotational torque force as your setup surely will do more than the original design. Other than that, you are perfectly right to want to improve what you have for a tonearm that has its center of gravity so much higher than the horizontal pivot axis!

 

[Adagio]

I suggest counterbalancing that scale surface. The strain gauge may throw off bad readings when it is subject to rotational torque force as your setup surely will do more than the original design. Other than that, you are perfectly right to want to improve what you have for a tonearm that has its center of gravity so much higher than the horizontal pivot axis!

Well 5g is the reference weight and is measures the Sam wherever I use it on the scale. 2.0 g is much less so I think is still accurate.