This is exactly right, I have multiple welding processes available but do not have the right mix of welder, technique, and materials on hand to weld stainless - it is something I have never needed to do in my shop and I am skeptical of the quality of stainless here in the first place.

As it is I can't tell if the original joint was a weld or something more like a silver solder/braze. I imagine if it was a weld they would have had better penetration and cross-section than it had, so who knows if it was material that was even amenable to welding.

That is all to say I 100% agree with you. I knew it would take braze regardless of alloy, and with brazing there was almost 0% chance of destroying the base metal with poor heat control or other inexperience. Especially because I do not have any tiny OA tips or TIG available, the chances of me burning through the plate portion would just be too high.