You are an experienced hand at this. If you would post a few screenshot examples, especially from charts you use (less any special sauce that you want to keep close to the vest) that would be helpful.
Cut losses fast I recommend this thread to solve your doubts. https://www.elitetrader.com/et/threads/why-do-people-use-volume-range-and-tic-charts.80582/page-3
The volume plays a very salient role sometimes due to high volume one can also face slippage while trading.
Yes, i trade volume bar charts from time to time, and range bars as well. You should too. What numbers work for you to approximate a one minute on ym say between 9:45 and 10? In other words what volume number(s) do you use / plug into the chart(s) between 9:45 and 10?
Focusing on price and getting it right and trade management 4 hours per day is challenging enough. I tried adding a volume indicator as an extra confirmation "price was getting ready to move in my favor" The volume indicator was too much work. Tick, Time, Range bars, Volume bars, its all the same thing. You still have to pick a stop loss and profit target per trade. It does not matter. I like time bars, because it gives me time (e.g., 3 minutes) to make a trading decision.