A brief note regarding copper soldering (sweating).

While I do not claim to be proficient at this, it is really quite easy.
First of all, you need a propane torch. These are not expensive, and you'll find a million uses for them later. I use mine to light my BBQ all the time.
The pipe needs to be clean and free from corrosion. You can sand the ends if they need it. Just smear the flux paste liberally around the pipe where it will fit into the elbow.
Then stick the pipe into the elbow and use the propane torch to heat up the two pieces of metal. When both pieces are equally hot enough, you feed the solder wire into the flame next to the crack between the pipe and the fitting.
As the solder melts, it will want to flow towards the flux and will tend to get sucked into the crack. Gravity helps this process, so it's nice to work so the liquified solder can flow down. It acts very much like water.
It takes very little solder to fill the crack, and the bond is very strong. Because you will not need this bond to be watertight, you don't need the solder to be perfect.

Try it, it's kind of fun.