I'm sorry. I thought the "challenge" was to get in the fire, not a competition. John, you are not doing this exercise for St. Francis of Aspen. You are doing it as an exercise on a new item. Do what works for you. There will be no extra points for traditional joinery. So what if a picture in a book was forge welded or arc'ed. "Selling out" might be preferable if "common sense" says to MAKE MONEY. "OPPOSITION". At your age there is no opposition. Good luck w/ your "battle" w/ Torch.