Isn't it about time U.S. went metric?

[aas]

Strangest thing in Europe is buying car/van tyres... still width in mm, height as a percentage and diameter in inches!

 

[Kev]

Strangest thing in Europe is buying car/van tyres... still width in mm, height as a percentage and diameter in inches!

That goes a bit further than Europe!!!

... and don't start me on bicycle wheels ...

 

[aas]

Strangest thing in Europe is buying car/van tyres... still width in mm, height as a percentage and diameter in inches!

That goes a bit further than Europe!!!

... and don't start me on bicycle wheels ...

...and TV, laptop, phone screens!

 

[AlexThePalex]

I do calcs in decimel inches just fine.

At some point you'll have to convert to another unit, like foot, yard or mile.

Really? When?  [tongue]

Mixing units is a major no-no, even with the metric system. Architects do it with feet and inches, but that is one of the few exceptions because it has become so commonplace.

You do it ALL the time. When I mention a 2x4, you know I'm talking about a piece of wood, measured in inches, while an 8x4 is a sheet measured in feet. And then when you cut the sheet to pieces you use your ruler with inches again. The different units constantly cross each other.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]
Alex I generally agree with your last point, but audiences are a key factor here. Mention 4x8, 8x4 to someone who works/sells wood and they know it is a wood, plaster or cement based sheet product, even in a metric country where it is 2400mm x1200mm.

However mention 8x4 to a photographer and they may know it is a 8X4 inch sheet of photographic paper or plate film.

[member=5277]Alex[/member]

 

[Lbob131]

I live  in northern Ireland  and use both  imperial and metric. Tape has both.
If I am on the saw  cutting long lengths  where  stops  are not possible  I'll check  to be sure  imperial and metric match up.
Much more to difficult to make a mistake  I find.

But a lot of  widths  and heights  I'll always refer  to in feet. Because  its easier  said  and a lot of the people I deal with  can envisage the  distance  I'm referring too  more easily.

 

[AlexThePalex]

[size=13pt]
Alex I generally agree with your last point, but audiences are a key factor here. Mention 4x8, 8x4 to someone who works/sells wood and they know it is a wood, plaster or cement based sheet product, even in a metric country where it is 2400mm x1200mm.

However mention 8x4 to a photographer and they may know it is a 8X4 inch sheet of photographic paper or plate film.

I am talking in general here, please don't go splitting it out how every individual's situation is different. My example is perfectly valid in Rick's case.

Just like [member=19439]Paul G[/member] I understand using metric is not practical for you if you're the only one using it.

A conversion from one system to another is not something a country does overnight, it takes at least 2 generations. Your generation will not be the one to do it. But your kids or grand children will get better used to it because thanks to internet exposure, they will grow up with it.

 

[Euclid]

For carpentry?  Shaku!

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]
Alex I generally agree with your last point, but audiences are a key factor here. Mention 4x8, 8x4 to someone who works/sells wood and they know it is a wood, plaster or cement based sheet product, even in a metric country where it is 2400mm x1200mm.

However mention 8x4 to a photographer and they may know it is a 8X4 inch sheet of photographic paper or plate film.

I am talking in general here, please don't go splitting it out how every individual's situation is different. My example is perfectly valid in Rick's case.

Just like [member=19439]Paul G[/member] I understand using metric is not practical for you if you're the only one using it.

A conversion from one system to another is not something a country does overnight, it takes at least 2 generations. Your generation will not be the one to do it. But your kids or grand children will get better used to it because thanks to internet exposure, they will grow up with it.

Alex I regret you missed my point, and as to Australia, my generation was the one to do it. In 1970, when the introduction of Metric measurement was passed by legislation through the Australian Parliament, I was 20.  [eek]
-------
And despite the derogatory comments by some here on th FOG, but not you Alex, I am proud of the 30 years I spent in education teaching our young citizens the benifits and understandings of the metric system. But I do agree with those who state that MMs are more significant for woodworkers than CMs. But the foundations of the Metric system with regard to measurement of length are MMs, CMs, Metres and Kilometres.

I never emphasised Decimetres in the classroom; that was just too confusing. A bit like 2/32 being equal to 4/64th of an inch.  [big grin]

LOL

[member=5277]Alex[/member]

 

[Kev]

A bit like 2/32 being equal to 1/64th of an inch.  [big grin]

LOL

[member=5277]Alex[/member]

... and you were teaching ... Was our treasurer in one of your classes [scared] [eek]

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]Oh Kev, yes three glasses of wine, in my 60s, using metric most of my adult life, what other excuses do you want!  [smile] I have made the correction. And my error probably more than any other comment here emphasis how ridiculous the Imperial system is (particularly after dinner on a Sunday night!). [eek]

And no, I did not teach the cigar smoker.  [eek] My most troublesome student in 30 years now drives, and can certainly afford, a Porshe 911.  [eek] [big grin]

[member=13058]Kev[/member]

Edit. I could have left the fractions as they were, just to further make the point!  [big grin]

 

[Holmz]

... A bit like 2/32 being equal to 4/64th of an inch.  [big grin]
...

Well you divide 32 by 2, and then slide the decimal point over... and you get 1.6-mm.
Which it is! [eek]

 

[Stephen B]

... A bit like 2/32 being equal to 4/64th of an inch.  [big grin]
...

Well you divide 32 by 2, and then slide the decimal point over... and you get 1.6-mm.
Which it is! [eek]

"Isn't Maths Fun!"  [big grin]

[member=40772]Holmz[/member]  [member=13058]Kev[/member]

 

[Sparktrician]

There's an interesting comment on the subject of converting to metric on CNN's web site today.  I noted one comment in specific: "The main resistance -- aside from everyday citizens -- came from the unions, who feared that a switch to an international system of measurement would make it easier for big corporations to ship jobs offshore."  Well, guess what happened in spite of union resistance!!!  DUH!!! 

 

[Brent Taylor]

I really think that the rest of the planet should bend to the will of the US on this matter, if not we will do as we always do.  Tanks please, but on a real note, I feel the reason we are trapped in this mire is we are bullheaded, lazy and to dumb to change, plus it would take an act of God to get it through our political system,  remember we have to be the world's police force,  so we don't have any time to think or use common sense.  Paranoia is a wonderful thing,  especially when it's real.

 

[Paul G]

I do calcs in decimel inches just fine.

[thumbs up] Same here, coming from an engineering background, the manufacturing world revolves around decimal numbers, (except for plant & office layout). Take a look at your machine tools like lathes, milling machines and surface grinders. The feed wheels are all in .001" or in .0005" graduations, not mm and certainly not 1/64 ths.

So, if I have to work in a fraction like 19/64", I just convert it to .2969" and move forward. I can add or subtract easily and if I need to place it back into imperial fractions because I'm using a tape measure, I can do that also. Easy Peasy

This stainless scale works sweet...used in the majority of engineering design firms. 1/32" & 1/64" markings on the front, .10" & .100" on the back, fully flexible and can be bent around a corner.

[attachthumb=1]

[attachthumb=2]

[attachthumb=3]

Great ruler, used one many times.

 

[Paul G]

I really think that the rest of the planet should bend to the will of the US on this matter, if not we will do as we always do.  Tanks please, but on a real note, I feel the reason we are trapped in this mire is we are bullheaded, lazy and to dumb to change, plus it would take an act of God to get it through our political system,  remember we have to be the world's police force,  so we don't have any time to think or use common sense.  Paranoia is a wonderful thing,  especially when it's real.

It's ironic to say we're too dumb to change because we successfully use a system deemed more difficult.

 

[Mort]

I find it disturbing that this thread has veered back on topic.

 

[Kev]

I really think that the rest of the planet should bend to the will of the US on this matter, if not we will do as we always do.  Tanks please, but on a real note, I feel the reason we are trapped in this mire is we are bullheaded, lazy and to dumb to change, plus it would take an act of God to get it through our political system,  remember we have to be the world's police force,  so we don't have any time to think or use common sense.  Paranoia is a wonderful thing,  especially when it's real.

It's ironic to say we're too dumb to change because we successfully use a system deemed more difficult.

"obstinate" is certainly a much better description than "lazy and too dumb" ... though "bull headed" was on the money! [big grin]

 

[Paul G]

I really think that the rest of the planet should bend to the will of the US on this matter, if not we will do as we always do.  Tanks please, but on a real note, I feel the reason we are trapped in this mire is we are bullheaded, lazy and to dumb to change, plus it would take an act of God to get it through our political system,  remember we have to be the world's police force,  so we don't have any time to think or use common sense.  Paranoia is a wonderful thing,  especially when it's real.

It's ironic to say we're too dumb to change because we successfully use a system deemed more difficult.

"obstinate" is certainly a much better description than "lazy and too dumb" ... though "bull headed" was on the money! [big grin]

It's more like too busy earning a living to worry about fixing something that works.