Reed 2G magnetic antiskate

I can think of a way in which stylus shape may make a difference to friction in the groove.  Friction force is equal to a factor called the coefficient of friction, mu, multiplied by the Normal Force.  Mu is different for any two substances in contact. Normal Force means the force perpendicular to a surface.  When a stylus tip rides in a groove, it is touching both groove walls. But the force vector due to gravity (VTF) is perpendicular to the surface of the LP, directed straight down toward inverted apex at the bottom of the groove.  The vector component of VTF that actually presses against the vinyl perpendicular to the slanted wall of the groove is always going to be less than VTF by the factor of that angle of the slant or slope of the groove.  On the other hand, since we have two contact patches, one on each side of the groove, the net friction is multiplied by 2. So the friction that causes skating is mu*2(sin of that angle)*VTF. I guess the angle can be different based on the stylus shape. Furthermore in actual practice the stylus is riding up and down in addition to moving in the groove, or so I am told.

@lewm , to add to your 2 contact stylus tip patch argument, that is exactly why using a blank/groove less disc to set anti-skate is a flawed approach.  Two point stylus contact vs 1 point of stylus contact i.e. two different coefficients of friction

test pilot

flawed, not the same, however, my recent experiences suggest it gets you closer than you might think.

1. I adjust using blank LP,

a. confirm there is inward skate (i.e. nothing is causing excess horizontal friction, or 'tonearm wire pushback' prior to adding anti-skate

b. add anti-skating force, watch, check it near outer edge, and again near inner edge. 'floats', or if any, a speck of inward,, not outer pull.

2. refine by ear using music with easy to discern imaging (me, 3 guitarists, track 5)

Recently, after finishing step 1

One arm, that cartridge, new line contact on boron, 1.9g, I reduced the adjuster a bit to improve imaging by ear

Other arm, new shibata on beryllium, 1.5g, I increased the adjuster a bit

Next day, change headshell/cartridge, used Microline on beryllium, 1.25g, completed step 1, then no adjustment when listening by ear. I need to play my 3 guitarist's, but my friend and I agreed, it sounded 'right' on what we had been listening to.

hey, I just won an auction on Yahoo Japan for another light tracking used AT160ML, for $129. usd net, add 15% tarriff and shipping to usa. Hoping there's life left in the stylus. Been lucky so far.

I read they only made 3,000 of them, has anybody else read that?

I learned a lot about AS from the Wally videos. Many because he doesn’t just talk, he demonstrates and tests the ideas.  The Wally Skater is the only device that cured my Audiophile Nervosa about AS.  The added benefit is you learn if other functions of your tonearm are working correctly and if forces you to balance your turntable!

Testpilot, there is only one coefficient of friction for any two materials, in this case vinyl vs diamond. In my hypothesis, which I think may be flawed, what might vary in relation to stylus shape is the normal force at the contact patches. For what it’s worth, Mijostyn owns a Wallyskater. Plus he made his own AS measurement device, and he felt that his own contraption worked better.