[Jerry in Shasta]

I had the same issue with my S/W I cut the welds with a thin Dermal cut off wheel. Before installing the wood I "tinned the area with a low temperature brass rod. I work the cut area metal to bring the gap ends close together. I then hit the tinned area with the torch for about two seconds. The tinned brass flowed across the cut. Yes.. the wood was discolored but not burned.