An indentation tip holding stage for a measurement instrument, the indentation tip holding stage comprising: a housing comprising: a housing outer surface; and a housing central bore extending into the housing from the housing outer surface; a support structure comprising: a central portion disposed at least partially inside the housing central bore; a central portion outer surface disposed outside the housing central bore; a support structure central bore extending into the central portion from the central portion outer surface, the support structure central bore having: a central portion bore opening in the central portion outer surface; and a central portion bore end spaced apart from the bore opening; and a lip member extending outwardly from the central portion and rigidly affixed to the housing outer surface; and a tip holder disposed at least partially inside the support structure central bore, the tip holder comprising: a receiving portion disposed adjacent the central portion bore opening, the receiving portion for receiving and holding an indentation tip; and an attachment portion disposed inside the support structure central bore; wherein the central portion of the support structure can move axially within the housing central bore due to thermal expansion or contraction, and wherein the receiving portion of the tip holder can move axially within the support structure central bore due to thermal expansion or contraction, characterized in that the attachment portion is rigidly affixed to the central portion of the support structure adjacent the central portion bore end. a housing comprising: a housing outer surface; and a housing central bore extending into the housing from the housing outer surface; a housing outer surface; and a housing central bore extending into the housing from the housing outer surface; a support structure comprising: a central portion disposed at least partially inside the housing central bore; a central portion outer surface disposed outside the housing central bore; a support structure central bore extending into the central portion from the central portion outer surface, the support structure central bore having: a central portion bore opening in the central portion outer surface; and a central portion bore end spaced apart from the bore opening; and a lip member extending outwardly from the central portion and rigidly affixed to the housing outer surface; and a tip holder disposed at least partially inside the support structure central bore, the tip holder comprising: a receiving portion disposed adjacent the central portion bore opening, the receiving portion for receiving and holding an indentation tip; and an attachment portion disposed inside the support structure central bore; a central portion disposed at least partially inside the housing central bore; a central portion outer surface disposed outside the housing central bore; a support structure central bore extending into the central portion from the central portion outer surface, the support structure central bore having: a central portion bore opening in the central portion outer surface; and a central portion bore end spaced apart from the bore opening; and a central portion bore opening in the central portion outer surface; and a central portion bore end spaced apart from the bore opening; and a lip member extending outwardly from the central portion and rigidly affixed to the housing outer surface; and a tip holder disposed at least partially inside the support structure central bore, the tip holder comprising: a receiving portion disposed adjacent the central portion bore opening, the receiving portion for receiving and holding an indentation tip; and an attachment portion disposed inside the support structure central bore; a receiving portion disposed adjacent the central portion bore opening, the receiving portion for receiving and holding an indentation tip; and an attachment portion disposed inside the support structure central bore; wherein the central portion of the support structure can move axially within the housing central bore due to thermal expansion or contraction, and wherein the receiving portion of the tip holder can move axially within the support structure central bore due to thermal expansion or contraction, characterized in that the attachment portion is rigidly affixed to the central portion of the support structure adjacent the central portion bore end.