I have turned small brass beads for people on my wood lathe. Never thought about epoxy for the fittings. Might make the brass pen I was asked about an option, too. I am assuming a good metal based epoxy like JB Weld. Thank you!
Had tried to think of a way to use the thin wall flexible copper tubing people use for swamp coolers and such over a brass tube. But, your way actually sounds better.
Any structural epoxy (not a casting epoxy) should be fine to hold fittings in place. I like system 3 T-88, but just about any epoxy will do.
The reason I use a file with metal on a wood lathe is that you don't end up with streamers of razor wire whizzing about close to your fingers (of course you need to use the file correctly (and have a handle on it) to reduce the likelihood of embedding the end of the file in your palm (or other places you wouldn't want a file end embedded
)). The c145 alloy of copper has machining characteristics close to brass, so if you are used to brass, it will be close (but not the same).
Good luck.
Ed
Another note of caution for others reading this who haven't turned metal on a wood lathe: Any woodturner who has developed the habit of periodically checking their surface finish with their fingers while the work is turning should break themselves of that habit before attempting metal on the wood lathe. The good news is that blood won't stain most metals if you wipe it off quickly. The bad news is....well, use your own imagination......