QF-1 Variable Capacitor Problem

For years I have been heartlessly slaughtering innocent Heathkit Q multipliers, just to get these variable capacitors. But I have recently discovered a "dead spot" problem with their vaunted reduction drive.
What should I do? Should I pull out a Dremel and cut off the reduction drive, then use a better (external) reduction drive to move the vanes?
These are the problems that homebrewers face...

[@MirlitronOne]

A bit unforgiveable as the anti-backlash mechanism is simple and has been known for nearly a century...

[@edbeckerich3737]

I learned from you to buy VFOs from ebay. I have a Galaxy VFO on the bench now. I think is back lash free due to the springs??

[@soldersmoke]

Hello Ed: Yes, those springs ensure that the gears are up against the teeth on the smaller wheel in BOTH directions. This gets rid of the "dead space" or "slop" that you could get without this kind of gear arrangement. In fact, I have built a VFO using the capacitor and gearing arrangement from a Galaxy V VFO. No slop there. The small, cheap Japanese reduction drives also work well, and avoid the dead space problem. Please let us know how your Galaxy VFO works out. 73 Bill