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leftbrainstuff · 10-11-2014, 10:39

Metric is great in the classroom because it's base 10 and easy to calculate conversions and factors in our head.

In the workshop I find imperial to be more useful as the divisions are easier to guestimate by eye. Inches and feet compared to cms and meters for example.

Much of the empirical information around clearances and fits is mostly based on imperial and not metric.

Fasteners and the dash (1/16) system for fittings are also imperial.

I don't have a preference. I use a mix of metric and imperial. Best of both worlds. Converting between the two is easy.

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Island Time O25 · 10-11-2014, 10:41

Historically, up to the time the French invented metric, every kingdom and principality had its own based upon deep tradition system of weights and measures. In the late 18th-early 19th century what is now Germany contained about 300 such different systems attached to 300 different principalities and even in unified France each historic region had it's own peculiar differences. Why, 150-200 years after most countries began switching to metric we are still debating the issue is beyond me, regardless of any alleged pluses or minuses of the nonmetric. It is what it is and we better get on with the show or be left behind. Besides, I resent keeping 2 sets of tools as this is a total waste of my $$.

K_V_B · 10-11-2014, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canibul

One nice convenience of the metric system is that my 41 foot yacht when I'm bragging boat becomes only 12M or 39 ft. when I'm quoting length to a marina for dockage fees. Things seem to change around 40 ft.

My favourite boat brand (when dreaming) is RM, and they designate their models in metric: RM890, RM1050 etc...
However, when they recently announced their new RM 1070 the press release mentioned that their aim was to build the "best 35 footer on the market".
Go figure...

avb3 · 10-11-2014, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepbluetj

Even here in 'merica, when I go buy a 2x4, it's not 2" by 4" anyway. So the imperial one is "wrong" too. 90x45 actually makes more sense than knowing a 2x4 is really 1 1/2 x 3 1/2.

A 2x4 is the rough unplanned cut size. Planing it gets it to the finished size.

I used to handle those 2x4 in a planing mill back in university in summers. Some old houses still have the full sized dimensions.. in other words, unplaned.

Canibul · 10-11-2014, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Your bible states that your god was....

Wait a minute, and just throttle back there for a second Sparky. What you talking bout?

Closest thing I ever had to a bible was the Anarchist Cookbook. I loved that one. Results you can see and verify immediately. That's my kind of bible.

Sand crab · 10-11-2014, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canibul

Wait a minute, and just throttle back there for a second Sparky. What you talking bout?

Closest thing I ever had to a bible was the Anarchist Cookbook. I loved that one. Results you can see and verify immediately. That's my kind of bible.

Oops, my bad. I meant to quote Benz. He posted just before yours. I didn't have my coffee yet. Sorry.

I read the Anarchist Cookbook too. You are a bad boy. Me too.

**Coops** · 10-11-2014, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Oops, my bad. I meant to quote Benz. He posted just before yours. I didn't have my coffee yet. Sorry.

I read the Anarchist Cookbook too. You are a bad boy. Me too.

You just got a slight case of the Benz there.

Into the evolutionary chamber for a while to straighten you out again.

Coops.

Andrew B. · 10-11-2014, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordMay

Americans claim to use the Imperial Measurement System, rather than the Metric one.
Yeah right, they all know what 9mm is though.

45cal is better though...

goboatingnow · 10-11-2014, 11:51

Quote:

In the workshop I find imperial to be more useful as the divisions are easier to guestimate by eye. Inches and feet compared to cms and meters for example.

Much of the empirical information around clearances and fits is mostly based on imperial and not metric.

Fasteners and the dash (1/16) system for fittings are also imperial.

personally I now can estimate better with metric, and my kids have no idea what an "inch " is !

err- NO. The metric fastener range is the most prolific in the world , as for the dash system ( i.e. BSP pipe). I agree, but thats an accident of history and it has been codified into the metric system. ( its a bit like saying imperial is better cause boat companies , even metric ones quote feet, to them its merely a "designator" of size)

dave

jeepbluetj · 10-11-2014, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew B.

45cal is better though...

Ahh... But 9mm is much less expensive, and it's metric.

7.62x38R costs lots - all to use a 60yo relic - but it's metric.

So a Mantus anchor is a bolt-together design. Are the bolts SAE or metric?

Figuring 'bout time to throw in something about anchors

bcn · 10-11-2014, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepbluetj

So a Mantus anchor is a bolt-together design. Are the bolts SAE or metric?

Figuring 'bout time to throw in something about anchors

Those at this side of the pond are metric - and the smear that comes with the bolts for assembly stinks

Andrew B. · 10-11-2014, 13:02

US Army DI, "Be back in a skidit" which I believe = a nanosecond.

My Harley has three metric nuts on it, my BMW m/c had three SAE
nuts on it. Someone care to explain that.

Some folks like McDonald's, some(me) like home style country cooking.
I really like using both SAE, and metric, but I think in SAE then get a little
brain exercise doing the conversions.

I used a micrometer to measure wire that was sold in gauges, and put on 6 inch spools.

Socialist tend to want homogenization, while capitalist make millions playing
the currency market. Watch those conversions !

So is the Euro based on 10's ?

Not totally sure but I believe the US Dollar is.
2 bits 4 bits 6 bits a dollar all for SAE stand up and holler !

I'll take a quarter-pounder with cheese please...

**StuM** · 10-11-2014, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

But 12 is a decimal notation number

You don't know that. There is no way to tell. It could be anything from the number five in base three upwards.

SeaKing · 10-11-2014, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpddj

I have an engineer's tape measure that I love to pull out for others to use. It is in tenths of feet. You want to watch someone scratch their head?
But then ....I love RPN, too.

I have worked in surveying for years and love the engineer's tape, especially now in my weakening eye strength years. I can see the hundreds of a foot easily and guestimate the 5/1000th which is about 1/16 of an inch.

You have to watch the tapes that are marked both in inches and in tenths of a foot. Hand one of those to someone that is not paying attention and you will have a wrong measurement somewhere.