I have been running a welded rear end for several months now on a daily driver with no breakage. All depends on how it's welded and how hard you are on it. I do not have any pics, but we split the carrier, exposing the spider gears. Then welded all four spider gears together along with the one sidegear still in the carrier. Not just tacked either....welded soild! The only thing not welded was the side gear that fit in the other half of the carrier.
My advice would be however, if at all possible save up the $110 for a minispool.