How to repair my mast?

Hi,

I have just acquired a Kenyon 6092 53' mast that has a small dent (size of a quater, 1/8 inch deep) next to the welded spreader root. The root plates have been snapped off (cleanly it would seem) in an unknown incident.

I am planning to have the spreader root plates rewelded.

Firstly, how important is it to repair this dent? Is it a large structural weakness?

Secondly, in simple terms, how does one splice a mast? Where would I be able to find a sleeve to fit the mast?

Thanks for any ideas.