Welding???

[Timelord]

If you are welding steel and we are talking about PSHTF, then don't forget the old ways, that could be undertaken without the magic electrickery stuff, ie, forge welding. Simple low tech and v.v.strong.. Also, rivets are a majorly superb fastener of all hard materials. Ships, tanks, bridges, planes, guns, xbows, cooking equipment, you name it, it can be rivetted. Rivetting can be superior to welding (not inc high tech modern stuff) as it allows some movement under thermal expansion/contraction and also under physical forces. The rivets themselves are soft metal and can be made quite easily. It is a fast and efficient process and can be done without a power source, other than human muscle power or some expedient rig up. It is also easy to maintain and replace any damaged rivets or steel sections. A sharp chisel will remove unwanted rivet heads to free them for removal. Old nails or bolts or any other suitable soft metal can be annealed in a fire to make it malleable for use as a rivet.
Why go to all the hassle & trouble of welding PSHTF, when rivetting could be the tried & tested alternative? Regards, TL.