An Awkward Piece of Copper Tubing

When I was just starting out in hardware (mid ‘70s) many customers brought in a piece of copper tubing with the nuts flared on the end. It was not uncommon for them to want a new piece of copper, and they would reuse the old flare nuts. One day I looked at a man who was here for this purpose and said, “Alright sir, now if you’ll just step to the back, I’ll cut your nuts off.” I don’t know whose face was redder!

Susan Harlan
Vickery Do it Best Hardware
Smyrna, Ga.