Thanks all!
Groundsweeper, I screwed every single piece of wood to the previous layer, built it out one layer at a time using glue and screws for each layer so they are all hidden inside the top itself.
Welder I am using is a mini inverter unit, is the model, these units are nice and small, about the size of a shoe box, plug in to regular 110 outlet, and have way more capacity than I need. Basically if you had the desire it can burn 7 rods nonstop without overheating, ad it has a built in safety that it would shut off and cool before that happened. I am a fan of thin welding rod, using 3/32 6012 for these projects.