Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Convenience of the metric system

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Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coops (Post 1674541)

You just got a slight case of the Benz there. :biggrin: Into the evolutionary chamber for a while to straighten you out again.:wink:

Coops.

Thanks Coops: For the first time I am also a medical condition.

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholson58 (Post 1674809)

I also had to put up with both systems & teaching metrics was required, however, all our texts were predominantly inch, foot, slug, pound etc. BTW, I noticed that in cruising the North Channel (Lake Huron, Canada) that some soundings are in feet other chart soundings are in meters. All distances are nautical miles (statute miles X 1.15) not KM (Kanadian miles??) In the instance of map distance, metric would be a ridiculous measure. The concept of seconds of arc is way more intuitive & useful as long as we divide a circle into 360 parts. The tower of Babble is preserved.

There's no question that as long as you're using a chart with a Mercator projection (as most are), then the nautical mile makes way more sense than a kilometre or statute mile. You're right about many Canadian charts still being in feet. Heck, I have a lot that are in fathoms. But any new charts are in metres.

I do remember the transition. One year we were given rulers with inches and feet, the following we had this stuff called centimetres and decimetres on it. This was back in the day when school supplies were provided in Canada, and not part of the commercial orgy known as "Back To School Sales!!" You could tell the teachers were completely lost -- it was all good fun :wink:.

I notice my younger friends are even more metricfied than me. The old imperial system will die a natural and complete death in Canada in another generation or two. In the meantime, I kinda like living with both systems in my world. But once again to restate the obvious: metric is far easier to use for any detailed measurement or calculation beyond the most basic.

As for Noah and his incestuous family; all I can say is, I'm all for religious tolerance, but literalists make it so hard... :facepalm:

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako (Post 1674661)

Actually, the old 2x4's were planed and still 2 x 4. At least in my old house they were..I had an old (1917) craftsman house, tore out one wall to change the layout. The 2 x 4's were CVG clear fir, smooth and a full 2 x 4! Now how do you add onto that wall with 3 1/2" 2 x 4's?:banghead:

I did a reno on an old home built out of old dimensional lumber. Lots of fun, lots of 1/4 plywood strips added etc. etc.

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholson58 (Post 1674809)

The concept of seconds of arc is way more intuitive & useful as long as we divide a circle into 360 parts.

Actually, I prefer to measure angles in radians (2*pi radians in a circle, arc length = radius x angle in radians)

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill352 (Post 1674654)

With all this talk about different sizes of tools, I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Crescent makes a metric adjustable wrench. :whistling:

I've had one of those for years. I keep it with my metric screw drivers.

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by avb3 (Post 1674497)

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

Over here of course we don't use 2x4 in construction. We use reinforced concrete.
:-)

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako (Post 1674802)

You forgot the quarter, the ever poplular $2 bill, the $5 bill ....

When the Euro was introduced the Dutch complained loudly that they had to give up their quarters, their 2,5 Guilder coins, and 25 Fl notes...

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benz (Post 1674810)

SWhat was to stop people groups from developing different physical traits AFTER the flood and the diaspora succeeding the Tower of Babel debacle?

Oh, but isn't evolution "a mere theory"?

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Just a reminder, that discussion of religion is expressly against our rules.

Specifically:

Discussions about politics, weaponry and religion are permitted only in association with the topic of this forum and will be closed or removed if they become disruptive.

Any further posts that reference religion will be deleted without further notice.

Thanks for your consideration.

Avb3
Moderator

Re: Convenience of the metric system

I have a 12 ton jack and a 6 ton jack. How
do they fit in?

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipmac (Post 1674904)

I've had one of those for years. I keep it with my metric screw drivers.

But do you have any left handed ones:

Left Handed Metric Screwdriver - $13.90 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts.

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuM (Post 1674987)

But do you have any left handed ones:

Left Handed Metric Screwdriver - $13.90 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts.

What find. Thanks. Going to order two right away (always keep a spare in case you drop one overboard).

Now if they only had one for Phillips head screws.

This does make me curious. Do they use more left-handed screws in the southern hemisphere since you're upside down?

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by jongleur (Post 1674960)

I have a 12 ton jack and a 6 ton jack. How
do they fit in?

Depends. Is that short tons or metric tons?

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipmac (Post 1675060)

I have a pair of skirting board ladders, 2 glass hammers and 6 skyhooks if you'd like to buy them too.

Re: Convenience of the metric system

Quote:

Originally Posted by goboatingnow (Post 1675087)

I have a pair of skirting board ladders, 2 glass hammers and 6 skyhooks if you'd like to buy them too.

Already have a skyhook. Plan to use it to restep my mast and save crane fees. Glass hammer? Never use hammers, easier to beat things with the end of a ~~wrench~~ spanner.

Now a skirting board ladder? That must be a British thing. Haven't seen one on this side of the pond. Can you send a photo?

I am shopping for a board stretcher if you have one for sale. Have some nice teak planks that are a couple cm too short and longer boards are pretty expensive.