[modelman]

Brazing works really good if done properly and is almost as strong as a weld but does not penetrate the metal. It takes some practice but unfortunately a propane torch or even a mapp gas torch is not hot enough except on very small pcs.. You will need something like a jewelers torch with oxygen-acetylene or oxygen-propane combination. I have a jewelers torch with oxygen-propane and it works really good. However, if you are looking for something cheap you are out of luck. There is nothing cheap about scratch building a model (materials or equipment) so sounds like you need to start saving your money. Good Luck