Agreed. If you are going to take it apart, that's the way to fix it permanently. Welding or brazing on a casting takes a little practice. If there was a donor banjo near you, maybe that would be another option. One good thing for sure, you are going to be an expert now.
http://www.weldguru.com/braze-cast-iron.html


Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn