Metric vs Imperial - Practical or Traditional?

It,s not just Europe,the whole world uses Metric,except for a few oddball places.

The other system died with the "Empire",it just has not been buried yet. !

I don't think it's very helpful to be an 'Imperialist' or a 'metricist', I use whatever is most useful although tend to go with Imperial because ;

a) I'm used to it and the majority of my equipment is Imperial.

b) I model old engines that were built to the Imperial standard and that makes it easy to work to 1/8, 1/6 or 1/4 inches to the foot.t

There are occasions when a metric hole or thread fits where another size does not.

Brian

Agree completely. My machine is metric, and there is a sensible range of small metric coarse threads which are suitable in the majority of cases. But there are some useful fine Imperial threads for which taps and dies are far more easily available than metric fine, and for that reason it sometimes makes sense to use them.

I'm fond of both - there's no sense in being a zealot.

One thing I do do when drawing - I denote the decimal point with a dot in Imperial, and a comma in metric, as I was required to do when I worked in a drawing office that used both - and if I use a dimension from the 'other' system in a drawing done in one, I'll put it in brackets with the unit alongside the dimension in the primary system, so that it's clear.

Edited By Mick B1 on 25/08/2017 19:18:37

Define "the whole world". The US certainly doesn't and doesn't pretend to. Canada does pretend to - i.e. it's nominally metric - but the de-facto working system in Engineering is Imperial. Even in supermarkets it's no better than 50/50.

So maybe "the whole world except for a sizeable chunk"?

But the US does use metric officially, it's just that they also use "customary measure" as well, making it one of those few oddball places in the quoted post.

You won't be metric until you go into the pub and order a litre of beer, instead of a pint.

My prefered tread system is UNF/C, I find that I like to use 1/8" W over 3 mm, but thats the only Whitworth size I use.

Ian S C

is the beer English or American, if American you were sold short !!

I think I remember reading somewhere that America (I.e. USA) was the first country to officially adopt the metre standard and that was in the 1870's or 1880's; suffice to say their progress towards full metrification has been a little slow!!!

Dave

Same system applies when writing out a cheque in France,
e.g one thousand two hundred thirty-four euros and fifty-six centimes
would be written in UK as 1(comma)234(dot)56 but in France is written as 1(dot)234(comma)56
DaveD

I was raised on both metric and imperial units. I don't have any preference for either system. If I am building a published design, then I use whatever system has been specified.

I have been able to get a lot of imperial tooling at relatively knock down prices, so I tend to use this system on most things I do. I also have a goodish range of metric tooling, so sometimes use this if the fancy takes me. It really is a totally non issue. Those that have been raised on metric measurement, let them use it, same goes for the users of the imperial system.

The one thing I will not do is to mix the two systems. I still find that nuts and bolts are readily available in Imperial sizes as is raw material, so if someone is kitted out with Imperial tooling, then what the hell does it matter if it is used? It really is up to the individual to do what he wants, that is the beauty of the hobby!

To read some of the answers given, it seems as if war has broken out. Get a life and do the engineering in whatever units you want!

Andrew.

Which French supplier as i can't find anything by searching the forum ??