At 10:06 PM 11/8/2009, neil n wrote:
>I bet the metal is thick enough that a bead could be welded around the
>ends to be spliced. Likely not too many clams to do so.

Even three or four little bumps would be enough.  Or you could braze
or even soft-solder a wire around the end.  A regular propane torch
using plumber's solder and flux should do nicely.  Both the steel and
the wire must be entirely shiny-bright just as in plumbing connections.

Yrs,
d