A little tig welder would be nice for a project like that. But that's expensive to get set up.
If you were considering silver solder, you must have a gas welding outfit available, too. Why not try gas welding (with steel filler)? Or, roll up the edges, to make a butt joint and then fuse them by gas welding (no filler added).
First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)