Use of a MIG welder for other purposes?

[PeteVS]

I wound up bolting the frame for my Model A project together because I just wasn't getting any luck with riveting. I was TOTALLY unable to do them cold and went to the oxy torch. That heated them up good but by the time I got them placed, they had cooled. Then, I tried heating them in place. Only the tip of the rivet got hot and there was no expansion down in the hole when we hammered on them. Now, I'm wondering if I could hold the rivet in place with a brass bolt with a ground connection and place the tip of the welder on the other end. Should I be able to get enough current through the rivet to heat it properly in place? Also, could a MIG welder be used to heat metal for shrinking? (I talking about not having any welding wire involved.)