K Member

Actually, welding does not weaken it, it strengthens it.
Any weld if done properly is stronger than the parent material.

Actually the material around a weld will always be weaker than it was initially. High amount of heat and no input of welding rod makes it the weak link. HAZ, or heat affected zone, is the weak point. Heat is the enemy as it messes with the
Molecular structure of the material. Carry on... :)