tuz, good catch on the flux. Silver flux doesn't work with bronze no matter what my LWS counter person belligerently tries to argue. After that argument, I tried it on some scrap and it didn't go well. I'm amazed the joint looks as good as it does.

I'm pretty sure the #5 is too big, it's the same as a Smith AW208. I forget what the largest tip I have for my Smith, but I think my tanks will only flow enough acetylene to keep up with a AW207 and that is a huge tip. And I have always liked using a lot of heat. I'm pretty sure the biggest tip Doug Fattic recommends for acetylene is a Smith AW205, which is halfway between a Meco #2.5 and #3