Pirates! - Why the US doesn't use the metric system.

A funny thing happens with plummers! In my country we all use metric system! Plummers use imperial.
In the UK everyone use imperial plummers use metric! It's a funny world.
 
And look at socket drive sizes. 3/8 1/2 . In metric countries do you ask for a 9.525mm ratchet for a 3/8 and a 12.7mm if you want a 1/2 ratchet.
Hey Jo grab me that 9.525 ratchet and a 9.525 drive 10mm deep socket will ya.
Nahh, we just ask for the size socket for the bolt we need to shift.
I think that as a sop to our American cousins who cannot come to "grips" with the metric system we have decided to keep the drivers as standard imperial to help them out.:laughing:
Standard sizes of square drives around the world include 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2-1/2" and 3-1/2" square drive sizes along with some lesser used drivers such as 5/8" square drive, and both #4 and #5 spline drives.
 
It's a funny world.
Yes it is,
sometimes Not so funny
 
Gee whiz you guys, if we switched over to metric we could no longer carry on a thread such as this one. See, there is a purpose!
Yeah, if we switched to metric, the next thing you know they'd want us to learn French.

Tom
 
Dis donc, qu'est-ce qui ne va pas avec le français parlant?
 
We have virtually converted to metric. Most of our manufacturing uses metric dimensioning. The medical and scientific community has been metric for decades. The automotive industry, likewise.

I suspect that the building trades will be the last big holdout. Much of this has to do with legacy systems. With "2 x 4's" and 4' x 8' sheets of sheet products having been standard sizes for many decades, the majority of our residential structures are built to those standards. Stud or joist spacing at 16" or 24" fits nicely with 4"' x 8' sheeting. Any repair or remodeling work using newly adopted metric products would cause match up issues.

As I look at EU lumber (timber) and sheet goods, I see a hodge podge of different sizes catering to the older legacy structures and new building. Far from the metric order they would have us believe. Looking at sheet goods, I saw 1200mm x 2400mm, 1220mm x 2440mm, 1250mm x 2500mm, and 1500 x 3000mm.

Just specifying dimensions in the metric system doesn't mean that you have converted, IMO. We could specify our 2 x 4's as 38mm x 89mm too. I, for one, prefer to deal with the inch measure where I can work out all my cut lines and allowances without having to carry a calculator.

It's a different story when machining metal. My CAD, CAM, and DRO's don't care whether I'm working in Imperial or metric. Nice, whole numbers aren't as convenient as they once were. I have worked so long with both systems that the conversion from on to the other comes fairly effortlessly. I design and work in either, the choice depending on materials and tooling at hand.
 
While I do use and like the Metric System, I think there is a certain natural practicality to the relative measurements, ½ inch, ¼ cup etc, that seems to get lost using metric.
 
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