OK, So it kinda sounds like the “thermal expansion of the hotbed” is given you problems, a coldbed/warmbed vs hotbed will make your first layer height very different- and if your trying to set a Z-Offset you must keep the bed at 60degs- (or whatever print temperature your going to be using for your prints) when setting the Z-Offset-.
So, PLA+
Manual turn on the hotbed to 60degs and let it sit for about 10min-. (this will let Hotbed reach its maximum expansion rate for this temperature)
Make sure your nozzle tip is clean from any filament -
Then home your printer, now set your Z-Offset using the piece of to roughly get it in place, i have mine so it almost rips the paper then hit Save-.
Now do test print of a XYZ-Cube to check first layer height-
Now if its to high, just stop the print and remove the print from the bed, then home the printer and move the nozzle down a little bit “(don’t use the paper)” you know it’s to high, so just hit the 0.01mm button a couple of times then Save and try again,
The same if its to low, but let it do a couple of layers so its easier to remove-
but don’t use the paper again, its only a guild for the first time so you don’t ram your nozzle into the bed and not for setting the Offset as it can cause problems-.
i actually do most of my printing at 35degs/40degs and a Gluestick so the thermal expansion of the Hotbed isn’t really a problem for me–
First layers just take practice and time to learn, and don’t get to caught up in the perfect first layer roundabout, after 9yrs a can set mine with a 2sec glance at the print-- it just takes time to learn-
If you put a big skirt or brim around the XYZ-Cube, you can manual adjust the layer height as its printing in the LCD menu, just make sure you hit the 0.01mm
then enter that amount into the off-set later,
**inductive probes will either “work” or “don’t work” -. ( but i have heard that electrical interference can make them “Play-Up” a little bit-…
All the Best-.