Morris,
Not arguing that the internal-tube splice isn't better, but, in your case, the old weld was not done by a professional (IMHO), so can't judge it against an internal splice. RD is about to tell me the fracture point is between the more brittle weld and the more ductile tube. Perhaps, but, as evidenced by these fractures, the tube is not all THAT ductile. According to my welder, it's important to choose the right rod for the TIG weld. Time will tell if I've introduced a new fracture potential, hopefully, learned by some future owner after I'm dead.
Richard L.