IMHO, the reason the writers don't mention "Balancing" a tonearm is that they incorporated this step into "Step Three Setting VTF".
I haven't really "balanced" a tonearm for many moons. Ever since I got all of my "analog tools". If you use any type of a tracking force gauge, (Shure, any of the battery operated scales, etc) you really don't need to do this. All it will do, is get you close to zero in the beginning, but you still need to use a gauge to get it right on. Since the stylus would only be on the gauge for a very, very short time, I really don't think any damage can be done even if the VTF is way off in the beginning.
I guess it depends on how adept you are at turntable setup.
I haven't really "balanced" a tonearm for many moons. Ever since I got all of my "analog tools". If you use any type of a tracking force gauge, (Shure, any of the battery operated scales, etc) you really don't need to do this. All it will do, is get you close to zero in the beginning, but you still need to use a gauge to get it right on. Since the stylus would only be on the gauge for a very, very short time, I really don't think any damage can be done even if the VTF is way off in the beginning.
I guess it depends on how adept you are at turntable setup.