Thanks to everyone's significant help here I was finally able to get this soldered.

I went and picked up a small butane torch. I grabbed my 10d nails, cleaned them up and got them ready to practice on. I put my Bernzomatic flux on, lit the torch and got everything nice and hot. Stuck the Bernzomatic silver solder to the joint and for the first time ever I saw true "flow" from solder. It filled the joint perfectly, going everywhere the massive amounts of flux I had used went. I fed in a bit more solder, covered most of the copper wrapping and removed heat. I let it cool on its own. I picked it up and tried to pull it apart. The joint held. In fact, the 10d nails bent from the force.

So, I did the same thing to my torque rods. I don't think I have to worry about joint failure here. Too bad I cut about half off the length that was supposed to go into the flap. Grr I hope it's still long enough. Anyway...

Thank you so much to everyone for your advice and patience. It really helped!