Winch bell refurbishment? New slots? Anyone had it done?

[Franziska]

Hi,

one of our halyard winches has an issue with the slot for the pawls in the bell/drum being worn. Apart from that the winch is fine.
I'd hate to have to spend hundreds of € to replace two in general healthy self tailing winches when there is a possibility to fix them.
Looking at it, I wonder how difficult it would be for a machine shop to fix this.

1st option, cut two new pawl recesses after a 90degree axial turn from the existing recess.

2nd option, somehow close the existing pawl recess (welding?) and recut at the existing location.

My feeling is option one would be better as these housing are normally cast or forged.

Here the questions:

Is it technically possible?
Has anyone had done this?
How much was it?
Who in Europe could do it for a fair price?

Thanks for your comments!

Franziska