Although this started as and SPG thread it is probably fair to say many of the similar offerings by other importers are likely to be the same and there may be some suffering Friday-fit variation in quality.
This whole mechanism concept is standard for moving quill mill/drill functions right up to a Bridgeport probably with inevitable drawbacks from the mixture of worm and rack suffering in the hobby models from cost saving> poor engagement>jerky movement.
If you want a precision down feed add a proper leadscrew at the side. Otherwise longer term you might need to look at adjusting the rack>pinion depthing as well as the worm>wheel depth when you fit a proper wormwheel.
My earlier suggestion was a 'get you home' especially for beginners who perhaps got the mill second hand and already worn and while not an optimisation of the design is no worse than as original so should last long enough to learn worm wheel cutting.