Welding and Edged faces in Gmax

Ok, it is my understanding that in Gmax, you weld parts together to become one, and that would reduce the number of surfaces, and consequently, the number of poly's. I had hoped to use this to reduce the frame rate hit from having such highly detailed parts in that having a one piece framework would be more friendly than having a twenty piece framework. Is my reasoning wrong here?
In welding parts, as I understand it, you go:
Select the parts to be welded
Click the Modify Tab
Select 'Edge'
Select 'Edit Geometry'
Select 'Create shape from Edges'
and that's pretty much it. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.
This, and to use the mirror function is why I imported it into Gmax in the first place.

In welding parts, as I understand it, you go:
Select the parts to be welded
Click the Modify Tab
Select 'Edge'
Select 'Edit Geometry'
Select 'Create shape from Edges'
and that's pretty much it. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.
This, and to use the mirror function is why I imported it into Gmax in the first place.
