Converting fractions to decimals

Been watching this with some amusement.

Am a fully paid up Luddite (aka Ancient Oddity or Dinosaur - although they went extinct a long time ago! )

The older Mill/Drill is Imperial to match nearly all my measuring kit. The lathe is Metric but dual dialled, so MOSTLY, I work in Imperial. (Using a digital Calliper most of the time with a mechanical instrument for a second opinion )

The drawings / sketches and calculations are mostly on the back of an envelope, often thinking in Fractions, which appear as decimal inches on the envelope!

Was taught Log tables at school, and the virtues of mental approximation, but starting work had to learn how to use a slide rule (Had never fathomed father's Japanese Bamboo one! )

Was told at Tech that it was basically, log tables plotted out in linear form. THEN the penny dropped, and was amazed at the accuracy with which results could be interpolated.

Too ignorant to really write my own programs, but do use EXCEL for spreadsheets.

The one that I wrote (? concocted ) to correct my HV6 expands from time to time. Just insert a new number of divisions, and it tells you how many turns and holes are needed (CANNOT find a drill to drill decimals of hole though! )

Would take up 3D printing, IF I could think of a use for the things that I make / mend / modify.

Favourite calculator is solar powered, so has to be used under a light after dark!

I've a Zeus book and one of those big poster-sized Tracy Tools conversions + tapping-size charts in the workshop; plus another and a calculator indoors next to the computer (for when using CAD).

Simpe as that...

No need to write and print spreadsheets etc. It's all been done for you!

What's this about calculators - I thought modern phones had replaced cameras and calculators in one fell swoop!

Martin

Not at all - I have a little app on my phone that reproduces a complete slide rule, with my own choice of scales on it (Infinirule, it's called, for the curious). I even use it every once in a while.

Hi Martin, as both cameras and calculators come in a wide range of levels, I'll doubt that many mobile phones will cover every level there is, but very many of them are very good for entry level. My mobile phone has a very good camera, but it doesn't have the same range or ability of my DSLR cameras and the calculator which is also very useful, doesn't stack up to my scientific ones.

Regards Nick.

Having looked at Infinirule, I found this one.

Scala Architectural Scale FREE The only app of its kind in the App Store that accurately simulates an architectural and engineering scale to measure printed drawings. Let Scala Architectural and Engineering Scale change the way...

I was however taught NEVER to measure from a printed drawing!

Nick, try the Free42 app - an HP42 on your phone. Brilliant.

I don't usually have a problem with this particular subject. 1/2 mm = 0.5 mm, 1/4mm = 0.25 mm, etc. Gotta love the metric system!

I have a napp on my phone that allows me to contact other people and talk to them.

Regards Ian.

I have a napp on a chair, it's more comfortable than a phone

Sadly the Koken web site does NOT work on my computer!

I put "Koken.co.uk" in the usual place and the Firefox screen remained blank!

I never got as far as the catalogue - pity because the Chart seemed useful (from what was written)

MC

This works on mine koken

I can assure you that the screen remained blank

That may be because my computer was tired so late in the evening but the screen remained blank.

I have now downloaded the catalogue and printed the chart.

I have never heard of "American Inches" in the past.

I think it would be better if printed on A3 paper since the text is VERY small - but I don't have an A3 printer. I'm lucky when my A4 printer works !

With best wishes and thanks

MC