if he said hubs are welded to the axle that may mean they are rusted on, or someone actually welded them to it. if so you need to check on that.
in order to change brake rotor or sprocket or bearings in the carrier you need to get them off, left side is more important. thats the side that will
slide through the carrier to change bearings.  nice score tho.

He wasn't kidding when he said they were welded, they really are lol, but I'm gonna replace the axel, hubs, rear brake cylinder, do the brakes/lines any way so don't really matter.

As far as axels go does it matter what I put in as far as a 24 or 26? And any recommendations on some good hubs fairly priced?