Which style of hardening is appropriate for my application? (see below)
I'm making a pawl for the kickstarter shaft of a 1960's Riverside/Benelli motorcycle. The pawl goes from the kickstarter shaft to a gear on the engine, to spin the engine for starting. The orig. design was poor, and these pawls wear out prematurely. The engine gear has many teeth, and the single tooth of the pawl wears fast. This pawl is buried deep inside the engine, so I'd rather not replace it very often.
The factory supply of pawls was exhausted years ago, so I'm making one with a dremel and hand tools. A diagram of the pawl is attached.
To keep the new pawl from wearing out, should I use mild steel and case harden it, or use tool steel and through harden it? Keep in mind that I am a home hobbiest, with limited resources.
I'm making a pawl for the kickstarter shaft of a 1960's Riverside/Benelli motorcycle. The pawl goes from the kickstarter shaft to a gear on the engine, to spin the engine for starting. The orig. design was poor, and these pawls wear out prematurely. The engine gear has many teeth, and the single tooth of the pawl wears fast. This pawl is buried deep inside the engine, so I'd rather not replace it very often.
The factory supply of pawls was exhausted years ago, so I'm making one with a dremel and hand tools. A diagram of the pawl is attached.
To keep the new pawl from wearing out, should I use mild steel and case harden it, or use tool steel and through harden it? Keep in mind that I am a home hobbiest, with limited resources.