SKB,
I assume that's your shop in the link? If so, I can see why you don't want people to fix hooks other ways, if I had a gig charging $350 for a bead of weld and a few minutes of fitting I'd want to keep it that way, too!
BUT, seeing as I don't, if the shim will work as well and have less heat from welding and less time spent grinding, I'll take it. Just because you can does not mean you should. I could mill a brand-new lump if I wanted, but why would I? Kind of like having an engine with one valve that needs lapping, that's otherwise perfect, and rebuilding the entire engine IMO. Good if your scamming $350 for it, otherwise not.
Besides, you do know that these guns are all soldered together, don't you? Not a lot of tig welders around in the 1800's from what I hear. Seems like it may have worked somewhat.
Anyway, take care,
Chaz
