In full compliance with Murphy's Law I just tried to unscrew a brass (might
be bronze - how do you tell?) shaft from a tripod and twisted the top third
off. My options look like either 1 - make a new piece from scratch, or
2 - hold the top and bottom tightly together (very clean break, about 3/8"
diameter contact area) and zap it with a spot welder.

Option 2 is much less work. Any comments on whether this would work?

Thanks.
Steve.