Im not trying to doubt your buddy, but those magnesium parts are very difficult to weld and could very well ruin the part trying to get it to stick. I had a couple different people try and weld mag parts for me and one gentleman has been welding the majority of his life and he was in his 50's and still couldnt get it to stick. So like you said explore every option and if the only other option is to weld, be very certain an individual who welds chainsaws on a regular basis is the person who does the welding, or at least get some old magnesium stuff to have them practice on first.