I'm making torpedo racks and I plan on using brass. The pieces are no bigger than an inch or two so is a torch too much, or can I solder? Any thought would be appreciated . Thanks NJ

Solder will work fine. Clean the brass w steel wool or fine sandpaper, use solder with rosin flux and a soldering iron / gun.

I use one of the little lighter fluid torches from Lowes. It has a soldering tip that goes onto the front of it.
If the application needs more heat than can transfer from the soldering tip you can take it off and use the open flame. It's small enough to do what you are talking about.
The other advantage of the little torch is that I don't forget to unplug the iron when I'm finished, also when I go to an event field repairs are a snap since I don't need lectricity.