[techhelpbb]

As mentioned aluminum welds are typically not as strong as the aluminum itself. Welds can add material so they can add weight. Welds can embrittle material. Welds can cause oxidation. Welds can be deceptive.

Rivets and bolts add material and may be even more prone to do so. Rivets and bolt holes can weaken the material. Dissimilar materials can cause corrosion at the contact points.

All of those things aside - the design may specifically make one choice better than another. I can certainly see with the pits FRC uses that welding can be inconvenient if it fails. Then again maybe if it fails you just bolt or rivet at that point.

I don't think we have the welding equipment at Mount Olive High School anymore.
So if I want to cook some metal I have to do it at home, take it to a friend or take a trip to NextFAB.