Found on another forum:

"The original owner of (one of Hal's) gun was doing electrical work at Hal's shop. There is a wood stove. Hal is working on a stock. The customer comes in and complains "What's taking so long with that stock". Hal tosses it in the wood stove " Just finished it".

It reminded me of the famous sign in Harry Pope's shop, "If you want to know when your job will be finished, the answer is NOW!"