My benchtop mill is experience some bad backlash. Can anybody give me any good ideas on a quick and dirty way of reducing it?
Check out these links:
Ball screw backlash:
http://www.thewarfields.com/MT/CCBacklash1.htm
http://www.thewarfields.com/MT/CCBacklash2.htm
Eliminating Backlash 101
You're categorically dreaming if you think machining problems can solved by the application of "quick and dirty" methods.
Quickest and dirtiest method I know of is to buy a great, tight machine in the first place.
Otherwise, you slog thru each and every part, find the problem and then solve them bit by bit, piece by piece.