Hi Bob .
Welding 2.3mm dia rod would not be an easy task but not impossible .
The heat from the weld may have relieved the internal stresses formed during the manufacturing of the stainless rod or it has gotten so hot it has burned out some of the elements in the material .
Try silver solder as it is done at a much lower temp than welding .
Maybe the special holder could be modified ?
What if instead of machining the flat across the top and trying to weld the hook to it maybe drill and ream a hole at the required angle then feed the rod through this hole .
You would have to form one of the bends after it is fed through the holder then you could use an epoxy to retain it .
The other rod i would cut a thread and loctite it into the holder .
Ian
Edited By SLOTDRILLER on 02/11/2012 20:47:31