quote:Does this help?
The photo is great.
I see a chipped gear tooth, I see the incorrect pins for gear retention, and I see what appears to be a good, crisp hex drive recess. I also see a machined shaft, and yes, the hex drive section does seem to be (maybe) a separate piece press-fitted into the shaft.
And I do not believe the shaft ends where you have noted, but is just a machined step-down.
But I assume (careful, I know) you have a problem you want us to comment on other than just how the thing is made?
Larry