A challenge!

[Ol'fogasaurus]

So the moral of the story?

Be carefull where you stick your pencil

... or anything!

[Bonemaro]

Oh my...

[SCOTTRODS]

Seen it happen. Pencil used to stop up gas line during repair. Point broke off and remained in line. Maddening to figure out. doc

I used to carry a couple of golf tees: great for temp plugging of (mostly soft) lines during work or testing. A bit better than using pencils due to the longer taper and less chance of your lead breaking problem; I had that happen too but did not have to "forgotten piece of lead problem, just the AW $#--! problem as I had to remove the whole line to get it out problem. With your pencil temporarily not usable... that is when you will need it: Murphy's law!

Lee

Me too.... Golf Tees.... They work really well and don't come apart when you take them out. Plastic ones are available.