Ted, I got your PM. Sorry I'm so late, I was in the beautiful and VERY much COOLER State of Wyoming on vacation with the family. I found out that I am no threat to their population of trout.
We use mostly 3/4" and 1" punch tees from Continental. I've never used a 1 1/4" as we don't use 1 1/4" for services as 2" isn't much more cost wise and allows for load increases in the future. We have had some problems with cutters on the smaller tees, usually if I get them too hot, but found that putting a generous dollip of never seize on them before running the cutter down helps. Not to be smart, but are you taking the cutter out before welding them on? We always remove the cutter and leave the cap off until they cool. Also, we are putting them on .156 and .188 wall pipe. I will check with the guys in Lincoln tomorrow and see if they have used the 1 1/4" tees and if they have had any problems.