Experience will say it better.
In some case I used a small torch as assistance when I was applying the last heat shot using a pencil soldering. All depend the mass of brass you will work with.
Soldering start from big mass to less mass not the opposite.
I built all my stuff using a 40 watts pencil soldering, resistance soldering and small torch.
Silver solder is good and bad. Due the high melt point after used, make difficult to fix some mistakes. 60/40 is more easy but contain lead. personally I don't have the right recipe.
AG.
+1
Different irons for different projects.
I love my RSU. A 40 watt iron is handy for other projects. Torch for large work-boiler assembly. Pen torch for other-detail parts. See what I mean?
Don't use the RSU on electronic boards-that's a loser and you'll have a junk board in short order!
I use liquid flux and 63/37 rosin core solder on everything. Of course, different diameters are needed.
Good luck, let's see some photos of projects when you get started.
