[FrankJ]

Welding aluminum generally isn't worth it for FRC application. Aluminum weld joints are weaker than the base metal. Very limited options for repair at competitions. Competition quality welding is not a skill you are going to acquire on the FCR level. (Not say somebody cannot acquire the skill, but it would take a lot more practice than you would get building a robot.) Most of the welded robots I have seen have had their welding farmed out. Nothing inherently wrong with that.

This isn't intended to be critical of teams that weld their chassis. If it works for you, great. As in all things engineering there are trade offs. That is where the fun comes in. Making all those choices.