Which VTF Scale are you using?

Shure, bought new 50+ years ago.

@dogberry no kidding!!! That’s exactly the issue I ran into. Cheap scale svrewd it up by slightly over a gram Riverstone was dead accurate. 

The Ortofon DS3 has no auto calibration system.

One recommendation I would have for everyone would be to buy some calibration weights - 1g, 2g.

This will enable you to quantify any errors in your chosen scale.

If you know the size of any errors, than at least you can allow for that when you take readings.

I always weigh stylus force at record level, no matter what arm.

I always weigh stylus force at record level,

So on the platter with no record?

On the platter mat with no LP on the presumption that the weigh pan is elevated off the mat surface by approximately the thickness of an average LP. No need to get any more anal than that.