Thanks for the replys. Yeah I've never welded anything but I'm somewhat keen to try. I suppose it's like a bigger hotter version of soldering. Hearing a keyword like gasless mig gives me something to go on. I've got a couple of panels I could experiment with. I guess I could try and borrow one and see how hard it seems. What thickness of sheet metal does one use for this kind of thing?

And no not too concerned if its rough, just want it fixed. It is just a 120y after all.

ususally use about 1mm for panels, can go a little thicker if you want as it is a pillar...but 1mm thick good metal will be better than whats there

SunnyDaze - If you've got panels to practice with and a welder then just go at it. Try and join the panel in as many ways u can think of to get a feel for how the metal sticks together with the weld.

Start with the mig on the lowest setting with the wire feed less than half (I used setting 4)

Its exactly like soldering but with much more light. The fireworks really throw u off in the beginning but do at least 50 welds on ur practice panel, look up welding vids on youtube and read as much as you can it not rocket science and once u get over the shock of the arc starting you can see what ur doin fine.

Oh and take the grinder to your rust, you may be suprised just how much metal u find underneath.

Good luck and remember, its only metal, it can always be fixed.