croweater wrote:can NOT get ANY thing to stick to this fucking fitting no matter what every type of flux I've got.
Two things
1) The solder when it melts is very runny and will flow through the smallest of holes.
2) If you point the flame of the torch at the joint it will blow the solder through the joint, this will make 1) more pronounced.
So to make the joint, make sure the joint is a good tight fit all round, clean and flux the joint. Then heat up the largest piece and allow the heat to transfer into the joint until the solder melts on both halves of the joint. Do not be tempted to run the torch over the joint - you will just blow away all you good work.
If you want to get rid of your frustrations then try this and make your own reducers / cups.
Take a piece of 3/4 pipe, split it along the seam them flatten it with a good sized hammer, turn the hammer over and start belting the piece of copper with the ball pane until it looks something like this.
Make two of them, cut the respective size holes in them- one for the filler cup and one in lieu of your reducer. and you have a fittingless parrot.