Checking Rod Bearing Clearance (BB)?

Using plastigauge to check 440 mains showed .001 on #1, #3, #4, somewhat less on #2 and #5. Yes, I painstakingly cleaned the journals with acetone and read the english side of the plastigauge paper. Hauled the block/crank to the machine shop. They mic'd the crank journals, transferred the measurement to a dial bore gauge and measured between 2.4-2.6 thousandths clearance on all the mains. All is good.

Now I have to tackle the rod bearing clearance and am leery of using plastigauge, plus I understand torquing the rod bolts can distort the plastigauge readings. Are there any alternatives short of buying an expensive dial bore gauge?

rod at BDC, plastigauge ~1/4" off to either side from dead bottom, strips of feeler gauge on either side of rod to keep it square while torquing

have both rods on that journal of the crank when checking with plastigage. It seems to make a difference, I think it can smear the wax if the other rod isn't there.

For some reason nearly everytime I checked plastigage against my mics it measured tighter with the plastigage then the mics.

I quit using it.

Dan