Non Metric Overlays

[Mike_Chrest]

I wish Festool would produce a decal or overlay that we in the non-metric countries could stick over the depth scale on the plunge saw. Something like the Fast-Cap easy read fractional measuring tape.
Mike

 

[Brice Burrell]

  Mike I agree, it's not going to happen anytime soon so we need to learn the metric system What I did is put a cheat sheet on TS55, a sticker on the side of the saw telling me what to set the saw to in MM. Sticker reads like this:
rail+material+about 1/8"
3/4" = 26mm
1/2" =21mm and so on, a quick look and I know what to set the depth to.

  It would be nice if Festool would put stickers on for us, it wouldn't be hard, until then you could just make your own or write on the saw with a pencil.

 

[T. Michael]

Shane Holland at McFeeleys seems to be in the decal biz;  Perhaps he could figure out a way to do this.  Good idea for lots of tools.
I guess we in NA are sort of metric luddites.  I've just bought lots of measuring devices recently to do things in mm's because of the Domino.
Help would be welcome.

Mike

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've just bought lots of measuring devices recently to do things in mm's because of the Domino.
Help would be welcome.

Mike

  Mike I was thinking about that too. However when I was looking at a demo Domino at a toystore this week, I noted that the Movable stepped stop (height adjustment stop) is made of plastic, I bet you could make your own. If the Metric one is as easy to remove as I think.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Only thing I would add is that if someone is going to make decals, they should have both imperial and metric scales.  Sooner or later, you are going to have to do metric for something, e.g., matching a domino size or something like that.

 

[hopikiva9]

When I first started using festools, I too wished for imperial scales, but...  once I decided to get into the metric world I realized it was really a much better way to work.  This for several reasons:

I work with a lot of hardwood panels and these days they come in metric thicknesses [mostly they do]

Also... there is no more thinking in terms of "what is half of 21 5/8" [for example]...  If you use a tape or layout ruler that has both imperial and metric scales [I now have all my measures with both scales] you end up thinking in nice, easy whole numbers. 

Also, I often use a digital read out caliper and it will read either metric and/or decimal inches.  This makes it easy to set up metric tools to match measured stock sizes.

So, in short, I now have combination scales on my larger tools [table saw, etc.], the caliper mentioned above, and a small hand calculator that also converts imperial fractions to metric numbers.

It really becomes much easier to think metric once you get used to it. :

 

[THW]

While it may be pretty silly that we have not converted to metric, we haven't. There are several tools -- the plunge routers, the circular saws, perhaps the planer -- where either an imperial measure sticker or an optional imperial part kit would make things a lot easier. If I want to cut just through a three-quarter inch board, or rout a slot one-third of the way through one, which I often do, the necessary conversion is an opportunity for error. Remember that the Hubble telescope had to be repaired at HUGE expense because those building it were working in two different systems of measurement and  someone somewhere forgot to convert!

I have a digital dial caliper that will do conversions when necessary, but I've actually gotten pretty good at dealing with fractional measure. The main point, though, is that I can't switch entirely to metric when most of my tools and materials and plans are not metric. I would have to operate in both systems. I can do that. Obviously I am doing that. But if it would be simple  to provide imperial measure parts for some of these tools, then it would make things easier for a lot of people. (The discussion about remaking the Domino to imperial measure, however, seems to me simply strange, proposing essentially a re-make of he whole system. I haven't used my Domino much, but I don't understand why I would care about the dimensions of a part that simply diappears. I've never even thought about the dimensions of joiner biscuits except to use narrower ones in narrower stock.)

 

[Steve Jones]

I think the argument for avoiding metric is getting weaker, I work mostly with plywood and had the same thoughts early on, but 3/4 ply aint (it's 18mm) and since 3/4 board stock aint either why keep fighting it (other than the trouble of replacing measuring tools to metric)

Steve

 

[Eli]

I said in another thread, when I first moved to Australia, I used a dual measure tape. After a week I threw it out, it was too confusing. I started using a metric tape cold and after another two weeks, I wouldn't go back. Much less confusing, much faster than fractional, and more accurate work results.

 

[Dan Clermont]

I started using a metric tape cold and after another two weeks, I wouldn't go back. Much less confusing, much faster than fractional, and more accurate work results.

I concur! When I first got my Festool saw I was uncomfortable with metric. Now I find it much easier to use.

Dan Clermont

 

[dirtydeeds]

a different view of metric and imperial measurements from (my personal) english point of view

i was brought up on imperial at school, then went to work on a civils site in 1978 which was fully metric, it taught me about accuracy. 1mm is about 1/25th inch

in first fix carpentry (framing) 1/25th inch is far beyond reasonable perfection

in second fix carpentry (trim carpentry) 1/25 inch is perfection

in true cabinet making less than 1/25th inch is only a couple of swathes of a sharp plane.

the result is, i work in metric and i dont mess about with imperial

HOWEVER being old, my head my STILL wants to check "how big is that"

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I can and do deal with both quite frequently in my work.  Technical specifications written in Imperial units have to be translated into metric and vice versa.  You can usually tell which version was the original because true conversions will end up having many numbers that are not integers, e.g. when expressing ranges of something.  I thinkg Jerry Work's MFT and MFS user manuals make a very good case for the convenience of planning and using metric in woodworking which works well if you are able to purchase or machine your own lumber.  20 mm thick lumber is not commonly available in USA.  You only get a choice of 4/4 which is usually 3/4" actual (less if redwood, possibly slightly more in some other woods), and if you can find 5/4 it may near an actual thickness of 1 inch, more or less depending again on species and you lumber source.  But as far as width and length are concerned, you can design and machine using metric all you want with far less inconvenience.  This is written based strictly on a USA perspective and materials I have been able to easily obtain in my home area (NE Ohio).

Dave R.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

       I like the idea of working in metric and may gradually convert to it. The biggest challenge for me is trying to think in it.   I can't think in metric, I have to think in imperial and convert.    I can't think 962mm and just know how big it is.    I would imagine this is much the same in reverse for those who have used metric all there lives. This is like Clint Eastwood in the movie  Fire Fox. He had to learn to think in Russian.

Seth

 

[Eli]

I have to say it was less hard than I thought it would be. Don't try and convert anymore, just get a new tape.

 

[Woodenfish]

...20 mm thick lumber is not commonly available in USA.  You only get a choice of 4/4 which is usually 3/4" actual...
Dave R.

When I first received my Domino I was a little disappointed by not having a 19mm setting. Soon though I needed to use the tool on a piece of 3/4 MDF with a laminate on one face. Eureka! The mortise was centered. Brain went to work thinking, "hmmmm, must be something to do with all of that RTA furniture I saw at that new IKEA?" I now keep a few piece's of scrap laminate in the systainer for shimming the fence when working with the thinner 3/4" material.

 

[dirtydeeds]

anybody who can think in russian can do metric

but learning metric is easier

 

[Eli]

;D ;D ;D

 

[Corwin]

Well, what do you all think about this topic now?  Personally, I hope to never see Imperial overlays taking up space on my Festools.  I'd rather it was me that changed...  Seems like some of those that wanted these overlays have since become a little more accustom to the metric thing -- still want Festool to change?

 

[Eli]

No, not now. I'd feel stupid for having binned all my imperial tapes. ;D

 

[Paul G]

Well, what do you all think about this topic now?  Personally, I hope to never see Imperial overlays taking up space on my Festools.  I'd rather it was me that changed...  Seems like some of those that wanted these overlays have since become a little more accustom to the metric thing -- still want Festool to change?

Bumping an old thread since I too have the same desire for inches, and yes I think a tool sold here should have the option of using the measuring system used here. A dual scale would be best, quite familiar with that in the typical ruler in my desk, metric on one side, inches on the other.