Ok so I have started a debate with my comments, let's make a few things clear before it gets out of hand.
The choice of wording Vinyl covers a multitude of materials.
There are many methods of joining these plastics of which heat is the best method and only with some.
Solvents create the heat required to weld plastics so would work better on some than others.
Plastics are a good choice of material for segmenting but better used in a lateral dimension where the tube helps to support the joint and compression of the furniture will assist holding it together.
Woody's pens as above are joined in the longitudinal dimension creating a weakness between the plastic and wood materials.
I have concerns for Woody only in that any expansion of the joint could result in a failure and pieces of wood falling away from the pen.
Personally I don't give a damn about what materials you use or what it looks like at the finish, I love the man who created these and don't want to see him get a bad comment anywhere.
I spent many years working with and developing plastics even when not at work, for which I was handsomely rewarded by nearly killing myself and spent a long time in hospital.
I don't generally give advise other than to take precautions when mixing your chemicals if you must pursue these practices.
