ya gotta love that design! I've seen a few just as you mention, from my "maybe this dealership's not a rip off" days (they were, I quit and gave up on dealerships all together.

OK, if it's in one of the semi straight portions (never that lucky), you can get a repair part from NAPA. It's basically just a pipe section with compression fittings on the ends, but it's designed for A/C repair. (ask to look @ their A/C catalog, it's the same basic thing used to replace the oriface tube in vehicles whre the tube is crimped in). If it's not in a sraight portion, get the compression fittings with hose barb ends (or threaded and have a hose made) and have a hose portion made in.

The other option I've used is also good. For it, you'll need to find a top notch welder to get the hole and surrounding surface super clean and put some heat to it and flow in the repair alloy.