Thanks Bramble, I should have mentioned that. I never have to use the alcohol solution because I preheat the whole assembly over the propane camp stove. By the time that the barrels are hot enough to start with the torch, the rosin is already semi-fluid and tacky enough to stick to the steel. Also, I use a very soft, neutral flame, on my oxy-acetylene torch. It doesn't blow the flux all over the place.