Imperial vs Metric

[Distinterior]

Coincidence then, as Leo from the Tally Ho project was also working out the size of his planking on the last episode I watched.

 

[MikeG.]

Yeah, but he knows what he is doing!

 

[sunnybob]

60 years using imperial, 12 years using metric because I'm in a metric country. I never use my imperial tape measure now. its easier to use metric. PROVIDED you use ONLY metric.
But I'm still 6 ft 2

 

[MikeG.]

It niggles me that metric-only tape measures are the ones you have to go searching for, and that metric/ imperial tapes are everywhere.

 

[Daniel2]

It niggles me that metric-only tape measures are the ones you have to go searching for, and that metric/ imperial tapes are everywhere.

It's the other way around here
It's only pipe fittings that retain imperial measurement, I believe.

 

[Distinterior]

60 years using imperial, 12 years using metric because I'm in a metric country. I never use my imperial tape measure now. its easier to use metric. PROVIDED you use ONLY metric.
But I'm still 6 ft 2

.....Surely, you mean 1880mm Bob...?

 

[AJB Temple]

Well, woodworkers are a funny lot. I have seem metric users recommend 6 by 2 or 8 by 2 timbers. I have bought 3 metre sawn boards of maple sold as 8 inches wide. I am quite happy with either - it's just mathematics.

 

[MikeG.]

....... I have seem metric users recommend 6 by 2 or 8 by 2 timbers....

I do that. I'm bi-lingual.

 

[Droogs]

Really?

I have a bannister 4'-10 3/8" long and want to space the 12 ballusters out equally. What's my spacing?

Whilst you're doing that, I'll divide 1483 by 13 and then go and make us both a cup of tea. You might be done by the time I'm back.

Is that to the centre of each newal post or to the edge Mike, makes a difference

 

[Stanleymonkey]

I use metric for most things. Sometimes marking out spacings for some nails or screws is easier because it's a 40 inch length and four inch spacing just leaps out at you and is a no brainer.

The only thing I struggle with here is screws. I got used to the gauges and incremental sizes. 1 inch not long enough? Reach for the one and a quarter. The new metric versions seem to be rounded up/down a bit and confuse me!

 

[t8hants]

It niggles me that metric-only tape measures are the ones you have to go searching for, and that metric/ imperial tapes are everywhere.

The metric/imperial tape was invented so you can have the best of both worlds 17" 11mm for example or 5m 9 and half inches.

 

[Doug71]

I swap and change between the two all the time, depends what I am doing.

As Stanley monkey says screw sizes are a bit of a pain these days, I did prefer it when they were just imperial.

 

[MikeG.]

The metric/imperial tape was invented so you can have the best of both worlds 17" 11mm for example or 5m 9 and half inches.

I'm bi-lingual, but even I don't do that.

They don't suit me. I work in mm, and if want to measure and mark from that side of a mixed tape from a set end I have to mark on the wrong side of the tape and transfer the marking out to the other side with a square. I've been working with mixed tapes for 30 or 40 years, and only use one side of them, which is ridiculous. The all-metric tapes I buy suit me far better......which is why I made the point I made. Also, why the hell does a 25 year old, say, want inches on his tape measure?

 

[pcb1962]

The only thing I struggle with here is screws. I got used to the gauges and incremental sizes. 1 inch not long enough? Reach for the one and a quarter. The new metric versions seem to be rounded up/down a bit and confuse me!

This is me. I'm as metric as they come, if you ask me what I weigh it's 107kg, and if you ask me how tall I am it's 1.87 metres. I have metric only tape measures, but when I need a woodscrew it's inch, inch and a quarter, inch and a half, I just cannot see woodscrews in metric. Oddly, if it's a 10mm bolt I have absolutely no problem with it being 10x40 or 10x50, it's just woodscrews.

 

[Trevanion]

I'm quite often given measurements for joinery with both systems, quite often on the same piece! Imperial heights and metric widths and vice versa...

Despite being a metric baby I've got a pretty decent understanding of imperial and I really enjoy messing with the other lads sometimes when asked for a measurement to cut at, "Oh, cut it at 10' 2" and 5/16ths" and then followed by a completely blank look and "Err..."

 

[MikeG.]

....... if you ask me what I weigh it's 107kg, and if you ask me how tall I am it's 1.87 metres.......

Time to a couple of fasting days a week..

 

[large red]

I'm bi lingual school and college all metric but when I started on site all of the carpenters and other trades were Imperial. I did ask them politely t change for me, the forum rules wont allow me to type their replays.
Honestly who would choose Imperial?
Am I correct that in America they use American Standard not imperial??

 

[Trevanion]

Am I correct that in America they use American Standard not imperial??

Yes, but the only difference between the two is volume measurements, an imperial gallon is bigger than an american one.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Anybody still use cubits or ells?

(And how many of you Metric enthusiasts go to the pub for a 600ml or two?)

 

[Stanleymonkey]

This is me. I'm as metric as they come, if you ask me what I weigh it's 107kg, and if you ask me how tall I am it's 1.87 metres. I have metric only tape measures, but when I need a woodscrew it's inch, inch and a quarter, inch and a half, I just cannot see woodscrews in metric. Oddly, if it's a 10mm bolt I have absolutely no problem with it being 10x40 or 10x50, it's just woodscrews.

I'd forgotten about bolts - I'm absolutely fine with metric bolts as well.

If you're anything like me - oh dear!!!