I went for the Mitutoyo since everyone likes it.
But while I wait for it I decided to take apart the one I have and at least clean it.
It was readily apparent why it was unreliable. There was rust in the main shaft affecting the plunger. It was pretty filthy and the end was, shall we say, not quality.
So I cleaned and lubed it as well as run a file across that end.
It’s much better but still not consistent although the degree of inconsistency has diminished to 3 to 5 thousandths instead of 9. I think the fact that it is not graduated into the .0001 and the quality is just not there make it unusable for precise work.
Can’t wait to try it against the Mitutoyo.
I know you builders may have gone through this when you were wee little engine gurettes. But for us old guys that are just getting back into building/assembling engines again this could be useful. I’m going to keep documenting my mistakes as well as victories as a learning tool.
The lesson from this one is, don’t buy cheap precision tools.