The play is within the dropouts, not between them. It's like the axle is too small a diameter, causing a little play inside the dropouts. Thanks for the link.
Is it the axle that is less than 12mm diameter or the drop out holes that are bigger ?
If the later, a new axle won't help.
Did you order spare dropouts with the frame, that you could swap ?
My calipers are a cheap digital set and I can't tell that there is a measurable difference - I can just feel it. I did get an extra set of dropouts and they are the same. It's not that big of an issue, especially in light of two new developments. Maybe I can get some more help with the new issues.
1) I ordered a set of wheels from Peter and specified thru axle for rear and QR for front. Front wheel came with thru axle hub. It's a DT Swiss 350 hub (15x100). Will something like this work to convert to 5x100 QR?
https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Release-Skewers-Adapter-Conversion/dp/B072MH2BZF/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HCEEK5PZX310ASHC0P4Z&dpID=31w4lsodwRL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail2) I am using a Shimano XT FC M-8000 chainring as 1x11 with XT cassette and derailleur. I ended up with a SRAM PC X1 11 speed chain. I have mixed Shimano and SRAM parts forever with no problems. However, the chain will not ride on that ring. Ideas? It's not the chainline.