here's my 2 cent's worth If welding o/a do you have or can find a Hemrod torch ??? they are a small hand torch

that welds like a Tig torch just on o/a 4 psi I use mine for brazing all the time does much Better work

than a victor torch hands down !! Very precise flame And there also a cast iron rod 1/4 x 1/4 available not sure you would 

want that rod but its out there / if brazing I would get a high tensile  rod I can't remember the #No though

I have used it often -- SO run a welding rod test !!!  GOOD Luck  ! & tell us what worked when done

Steve's Welding & Fab

DO NOT USE A CAST IRON ROD ON WROUGHT IRON NO NO NO!

Check that the hinges are set in stone with lead. 

If so you will need to keep the temps low enough to not melt the lead.

Wrap with a wet rag and pour water after each pass.

Weld with 1/8" (3 mm) 7018 vertical up for best results. 

Keep your arc length as short possible, your rod aimed slightly up (-5 degrees)

General theory of heat imput for weldments (this seems to need to be mentioned now and again)

From least heat input to most

MIG  

Stick

TIG

Oxy- fuel gas.

In short TIG and gas welding are completely inappropriate for this job.

 

 

Hey,

Thanks for all the good info in this topic, I just wanted to find out about this subject - did not know where to look though, but here it is.

And I really hope the OP-er has already done his job with the welding as his last post came in 2008

Bests:

Gergely