Why is this so important to everyone? Everyone uses whatever they are used to and works best for them. For me, there is no difference in precision or accuracy between metric or imperial measurements. Whenever I can I use a story stick or just fit the pieces where they are supposed to go and use stops for repetitive cuts. For these it doesn't matter at all whether I use metric or not.
Imperial vs Metric in My Situation
- Thread starter Patrick Cox
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 1,641
I'm sorry, the forum is messed up today and I can't do multiple quotes correctly.
While this is absolutely correct, it is actually missing the point I was making. The vast majority of the population will never go through a situation or calculation where the inherent benefits of metric are experienced. The average person, in their day-to-day lives, does not need to go through unit conversions. If you told the average person that a Newton is equal to a kg*m/s2 their eyes would glaze over and they'd say, what are you talking about? Heck, I'd bet that more than 90% of the population doesn't even know that measuring their weight in "kg" isn't even correct.
Even this example is wrong. Just because they have metric wrenches doesn't mean they need to work in metric. The tuner shop that I work with, works almost exclusively on import cars that are based on metric. Yet when I start discussing my designs in metric with them, their eyes glaze over, because aside from their wrench sizes, they don't deal with metric at all. (P.S. this is not a low-end shop. They turn out 1500 hp cars from 6 cyl. engines.)
I said no such thing. Electricity is NOT metric. It has its own units which are independent of both systems.
No it's not depressing, and it actually ties in quite nicely with "grbmds's" question of why this is so important to some. The people that are the most vocal about the topic are the ones that don't actually have a direct stake in it. Go back through this thread and similar threads on the topic, and the most vocal proponents for getting the U.S. into the metric system are from Australia, and secondly by UK. In a way, it's kind of like, "well we were forced to do it , kicking and screaming, so you guys should have to suffer our pain too." [big grin] [big grin]
While this is absolutely correct, it is actually missing the point I was making. The vast majority of the population will never go through a situation or calculation where the inherent benefits of metric are experienced. The average person, in their day-to-day lives, does not need to go through unit conversions. If you told the average person that a Newton is equal to a kg*m/s2 their eyes would glaze over and they'd say, what are you talking about? Heck, I'd bet that more than 90% of the population doesn't even know that measuring their weight in "kg" isn't even correct.
Even this example is wrong. Just because they have metric wrenches doesn't mean they need to work in metric. The tuner shop that I work with, works almost exclusively on import cars that are based on metric. Yet when I start discussing my designs in metric with them, their eyes glaze over, because aside from their wrench sizes, they don't deal with metric at all. (P.S. this is not a low-end shop. They turn out 1500 hp cars from 6 cyl. engines.)
I said no such thing. Electricity is NOT metric. It has its own units which are independent of both systems.
No it's not depressing, and it actually ties in quite nicely with "grbmds's" question of why this is so important to some. The people that are the most vocal about the topic are the ones that don't actually have a direct stake in it. Go back through this thread and similar threads on the topic, and the most vocal proponents for getting the U.S. into the metric system are from Australia, and secondly by UK. In a way, it's kind of like, "well we were forced to do it , kicking and screaming, so you guys should have to suffer our pain too." [big grin] [big grin]
Kev
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 7,698
Let's get this back towards a discussion about using either metric measurement or imperial measurement in a trade or hobby context and in some way related to the use of Festool tools ...
European tools that have calibrations typically use a metric scale. US FOGgers have been know to complain about Festool using metric and not imperial scales .. some have even stated they believe Festool should recalibrate their tools with imperial scales for sale in the US.
Some US FOGgers have made the transition to metric and have been very happy, some seem to have struggled and some just don't want to ever leave their imperial system - for many different justifications.
Regardless of whether a number of people think they can make a call on what is appropriate for "the masses", every individual in the US has the right to learn for themselves and decide for themselves. If the US government dictate a change (or at least try to again) that could result if a different story.
Bottom line, try something and see if you like it. Learning and a little discomfort may result, but it's how we grow.
European tools that have calibrations typically use a metric scale. US FOGgers have been know to complain about Festool using metric and not imperial scales .. some have even stated they believe Festool should recalibrate their tools with imperial scales for sale in the US.
Some US FOGgers have made the transition to metric and have been very happy, some seem to have struggled and some just don't want to ever leave their imperial system - for many different justifications.
Regardless of whether a number of people think they can make a call on what is appropriate for "the masses", every individual in the US has the right to learn for themselves and decide for themselves. If the US government dictate a change (or at least try to again) that could result if a different story.
Bottom line, try something and see if you like it. Learning and a little discomfort may result, but it's how we grow.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 1,641
Holmz said:
No. Newton is a unit of force. Kg is a unit of mass. You can't have a Newton without an acceleration of the mass. Gravity is an acceleration. So it is actually wrong to say something weighs 100 kg.
[big grin] [big grin] [big grin]
Stephen B
Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2013
- Messages
- 2,749
[size=8pt]No it's not depressing, and it actually ties in quite nicely with "grbmds's" question of why this is so important to some. The people that are the most vocal about the topic are the ones that don't actually have a direct stake in it. Go back through this thread and similar threads on the topic, and the most vocal proponents for getting the U.S. into the metric system are from Australia, and secondly by UK.
[size=13pt]True
[size=8pt]
In a way, it's kind of like, "well we were forced to do it , kicking and screaming,
[size=13pt]
Not true. My child hood was one of learning Imperial measurement, but in my early 20s I, like many others, embraced the change to metric. For Australia changing was relatively easier due to population size, industry and government were aligned, there had been massive European immigration in the previous two decades, and we had already decimalised our currency. Gee, even my then 50 year old carpenter father coped with a smile.
[size=8pt]
so you guys should have to suffer our pain too." [big grin] [big grin]
[size=13pt]
Could not care less really, I am a promoter of metric, and it is certainly not painfull. What is painfull is not sticking to one system or the other. Which one really is your problem! But I will continue to share my experiences and promote metric here because it truely is a simpler system. Simpler, unless you try to use both. Choose! [smile]
[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member]
[size=13pt]True
[size=8pt]
In a way, it's kind of like, "well we were forced to do it , kicking and screaming,
[size=13pt]
Not true. My child hood was one of learning Imperial measurement, but in my early 20s I, like many others, embraced the change to metric. For Australia changing was relatively easier due to population size, industry and government were aligned, there had been massive European immigration in the previous two decades, and we had already decimalised our currency. Gee, even my then 50 year old carpenter father coped with a smile.
[size=8pt]
so you guys should have to suffer our pain too." [big grin] [big grin]
[size=13pt]
Could not care less really, I am a promoter of metric, and it is certainly not painfull. What is painfull is not sticking to one system or the other. Which one really is your problem! But I will continue to share my experiences and promote metric here because it truely is a simpler system. Simpler, unless you try to use both. Choose! [smile]
[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member]
Mort said:
This is my take on things as well. I have nothing against metric, I just have no interest in trying to think in both all the time. Go to Home Depot or Lowes looking for metric stuff, good luck. Maybe some fasteners and drill bits and a few other items but not much. I'd be surprised if they yet offer a metric tape measure. All the building codes around here are Imperial, most everyone talks and thinks Imperial. If you have the ability to communicate in one and work in the other then have at it, not my cup of tea.
DzordanoBruno
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2015
- Messages
- 157
Iam metric Guy. I dont understand imperial system, for me is this system useless. Sheet is 2.4x1.2m, lumber are in m, cabinet are in cm and mm. simply, easy.
Holmz
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2014
- Messages
- 4,001
Paul G said:
Judging by the name around Tuscany, but it could be just about anywhere outside of the US. The rest of the world uses metric and SI.
There is no right answer, use one, or the other, or both, or neither.
The neither being 'a story stick'.
DzordanoBruno
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2015
- Messages
- 157
Iam from Europe, Czech Republic.
I tried inches, i saw few videos, i learned Your system. But, the metric system is more simple.
I tried inches, i saw few videos, i learned Your system. But, the metric system is more simple.
Holmz said:
LOL, not quite.
FTR the US doesn't actually use Imperial but rather USCS. They have similarities but no one knows what you're talking about if you mention the latter.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_customary_units
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 1,641
Just to toss a little levity into the discussion, I stumbled across this on iFunny this morning. Made me laugh. (It's a joke. Please don't take offense.)
Similar threads
