Opinions wanted: Repair or not?

[Paul Mitchell]

Greetings.
This seemed like the most appropriate forum for this.
I recently purchased two old gate-marked DOs, with full awareness that they had cracks. This was done at greatly reduced prices, btw.
I am torn between restoring them as-is, to have as display pieces, or searching out a master welder to make them everyday users.
Leaving them as-is will allow them to be placeholders in my set, while I continue my search for intact examples. I could also perhaps sell them later to someone that also needed a placeholder.
Having them ‘fixed’ would allow me to make them permanent users.
Opinions, pros/cons?
Thanks in advance.

[Russell Ware]

I wouldn't have them repaired. I would leave them as place holders. Not to put down any welder, but I wouldn't trust cooking in any damaged or repaired cast iron. User DO's are everywhere, and they are dirt cheap. Get something intact and safe to use. Put as little money and time into anything that is damaged.

[Tom Reisdorf]

Paul,
This post might get a better response in the General Information section.
I am a user of cast iron first,  love being on here learning about cast iron. I am not a collector of expensive pieces. Started working on  full sets, now not so much.

I have had a few pieces repaired, my welder and most others think its crazy and it is not inexpensive.
I think I've repaired a piece so I could  use it, but have more then enough other pieces that I seldom do.
I understand picking up a piece just to be able to hold it, see it first hand, increase my understanding  of the progression of cast iron. The old gate marked skillets are so thinly cast and light weight. What are your Dutch ovens like?

[Paul Mitchell]

Thanks both.
In regards to the DO’s at hand, they are both Noyes & Nutter, so are certainly not an easy-to-come-by item, which is the only reason I was even considering having them put back into serviceable condition.
I’m certainly not lacking for users (imagine that!), but these would certainly be my favorites, were I to be able to use them.
As for trusting the ‘fix’, that is absolutely a valid concern, which would be the major reason to not have anything done...

[Spurgeon Hendrick]

I’ve never seen a repair that was anything but butt ugly.

Check out the repair on this one I saw on Etsy yesterday. Not sure if it is kosher to post a screen shot, But I couldn’t figure out how to copy a link to the item. If screenshots are a no-no, please delete this picture.

For $135, this “Unique welded handle” can be yours.

[Tom Reisdorf]

If you repair, do your homework, a repair done well just needs to please you, and I wouldn't have a problem trusting it. Not so well a disaster that you wouldn't want  to display. Seen both. Do one at a time if you decide to do.

[Tom Reisdorf]

Here are a couple that I have had repaired. I use these and trust the repairs.
These have been posted before.
You can't make a crack disappear, but you can use the piece.