I'm actually leaving the tool at the size I'm reading it, I can live with a thou. and good/bad .246 is what I read the tool as.
The WD40 took away all the tackiness and I have protectors (shield at bottom, sheet of heavy clear plastic bag with magnets holding to column and to table) It can expand and contract, so they are both completely covered. If I have any issue, I'll just replace it.
I was wondering (maybe if I replace any of the bellows), that spray paint that you can put on anything and it becomes hydrophobic, paint them down with that....I assume everyone is familiar?
https://www.neverwet.com/