Steve,
Yes, the "story" is out there and heard by many of the spray welded hook where the piece of weld "just fell off" I don't remember where I heard it a long time ago. Just a "good story" about bad technique.
I have TIG welded hooks on chopper lunp barrels that are silver brazed with no problem. I won't say all, but some. Now not all chopper barrels are silver brazed, those that have brazed ribs probably are not silver brazed, but either copper or brass brazed to allow the heat req'd for silver soldering the ribs. That is a nice and informative thread you posted. Keep in touch.

Dennis Potter