Thx for the replies and the links! I'm making an effort to play and practice/replay all lessons involving repetitive finger movements like those you've linked and any other warmup style lessons from the site. I'm considering trying to toughen up my finger by callousing it on the low E string. Seems I can get the F chord to play when I lay my pointer finger on its side completely, almost the full width of the first fret (from the nut to fret 1) at an angle baring the 2 strings. It seems to place my hand in a very weird contorted position but its the only thing that seems to infrequently get it to ring true. I work construction at times and know sandpaper can produce callouses too but that takes quite some time.