Man, you do such nice illustrations. Is that "Solid Edge" or some other program?

I've never been shy about welding on these old beam axles. They are so dense you can really crank up the amperage to get good penetration and they dissipate the heat so well that the welding does no appreciable harm to the strength. (For you beginners, NEVER cool a weld on a suspension or steering part with water. It will harden the metal and make it brittle.)