Weld/repair a shaft question

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My Woods front deck Mowin machine (identical to a grasshopper) has a 3 foot solid steel shaft from the back to the front.  It is 1 inch OD.  It runs under the engine and has a double pulley on the back going to the electric clutch and splines on the front where it hooks to the PTO shaft that runs the front deck.  It has 2 pillow block bearings, one on each end.The font pillowblock set screws came loose and wore the shaft pretty bad but only on one side of the shaft, not all the way around. It is worn over a 1 inch length along the shaft and about 1/8 inch deep on the one side.  To repair I guess I would have to build it up by welding and then have it turned on a lathe.Here is my question.  I have a 250 amp  mig and stick (225ac 125DC) - no tig.  Can it be built up with mig using regular solid wire with gas or would I need a hardfacing wire.?  Any preheat necessary?  Looking for advice.
Reply:Quick and dirty method if your can cut into it with a file or hacksaw it isn't hardened  or isn't hardened very much. If I could file it I would MIG it. Welding on 1 side only will tend to bend the shaft so it may need straighting too.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:If you have an O/A torch you will be better to build it up by brazing.  Welding to build up a shaft can cause issues.  Some shafts are not hardened but will get rather brittle when welding.  Not to mention that if it is not welded properly it will cause the shaft to bend, and cause more problems.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Lay it in a heavy piece of angle iron & clamp the crap out of it. Weld it & let it cool naturally. Check for straightness, it still may have a little bend to it !Flash
Reply:Since you're going to have to turn it anyway have it welded in a lathe. They can spin it by hand as they weld all the way around it. The shaft will still bend but it will tend to equall out. the extra weld will just get cut off.Tough as nails and damn near as smart