On 24 Sep 2010 at 14:37, Fred Cisin wrote:
  MOST plumbing is a relatively coarse thread. 
But not all--many tub drains still use fine-thread brass tube.  As do
many older toilet flush valves.   I also seem to recall that some
older gas piping is fine-thread brass, rather than black iron.
But the threads are really easy to mess up.
--Chuck