Do I still need to buy a stylus force gauge if I can get the settings off the internet?

lewm

"That’s enough detail to put off any newbie from ever playing a record."

Well, it’s the whole story, pretty concise, easy and inexpensive tools. I never assume someone has the tools provided in the box, if they do, they know what they don't need.

Any newbie can ask a friend to help, or practice with an existing worn cartridge, but what must be avoided is getting it ’wrong enough’ that they give up on vinyl. Many here say "this cartridge sounds great; others, same cartridge, "didn’t like it". 

Was it properly aligned? The beginning of my post indicates that MANY get it wrong!!!!!

It is a lot of words, a large part is just links, but it is not that hard. 

If/when you are able to mount/align/calibrate your own cartridge, you have those skills for you and your friends for the rest of your life.

@audphile1 good point... I asked it and it said absolutely. 

If you would like some free advice from an expert, check out these videos at your own pace.

https://www.wallyanalog.com/videos

but yes, you need  a stylus force gauge try Riverstone Audio, includes calibration weights: $35 

I asked an AI to summarise Elliott's long post. It said: "Yes."

Do you know how to properly use the markings on the tone arm weight? Its not as simple as setting it to the number you think, you must balance the whole tone arm with the cart installed on it, basically balancing in the air on its own then set the weights gradients to zero, then you have a starting point. Now is that going to be accurate enough is another story. Buy a gauge as others have said.