harrysin

Just before Tom left for the airport to collect his brother and sister-in-law arriving from Scotland, he sent me an email showing that he is converting his metric drawings to imperial, but quite honestly, I for one wouldn't like to attempt a project presented like this.

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Harry

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bobj3

HI Harry

"converting his metric drawings to imperial"

It looks right in metric but once it's converted it's out of wack,,,that's to say not one standard "imperial" wood stock..item,,, like ,,,1.22 should be 1.250", 5.51 should be 5.500", I hope you see what I mean... it's going to be a BIG challenge to convert it over and make all the parts fit...it looks like it's going to take a computer program to rework it over...to a imperial project.

I for one wouldn't buy a book or DVD/CD that the projects that where in Metric, just so many plans/books/DVD's out on the market place that are not...many may look just for that type of plans, but I'm in the states and I don't need to to use both sides of the rulers I have, not to say anything about setting my planner in the metric way...or drilling a metric size hole..or using a metric router bits.. what a nightmare that would be...
I can see it now ,the plans would call for a 6mm trench and a 10mm wide rebate and I would say WHAT ?... ( but I now know what they are thanks to the forum) but I would not have the tools to do it with...

But that's just my 2 cents...

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AxlMyk

I would leave them as is. It really isn't hard for someone to pick up a metric ruler.
Most of them are dual scale anyway.

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harrysin

Mike, why do so few on the forum realise that?

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Harry

curiousgeorge

Harry, IMHO it's simply human nature to resist change. But, after changing, or being forced to change, eventually the change is accepted as normal. Then woe be unto you to try and change it back. I, for one, agree with AxlMyk and would not be opposed to using metric, but that's just me.

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George

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Mike

This is the point I have tried to convey to Tom since day one: While you can convert the measurements it is not exact. It does no good to know you need a 20 and 30 MM guide bushing unless you can get an exact size equivalent. The project will not work out the same. This is the reason I urged Tom to design a simple project like an oval trinket box using fractional bits and guides that are available here. On a simple project it would not matter if a side was 1/4" or 6 MM but when you add a lid to the box it throws a wrench in the machinery. This is why I feel Tom's methods will not catch on here until metric compnents are readily available. Make no mistake, I see the benefits and pay close attention to what Tom is saying. The added stability of using a router in ski mode makes perfect sense to me. Bob and Rick have been promoting the use of guides and templates for many years. Once warm weather sets in I will be happy to try my hand at an oval box with lid in fractional sizes.

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Mike

Drugstore Cowboy

Quite true.
And then there are others who don't 'resist' change - but just see no point in it -- and frankly - don't give it a thought.
I know my share of craftsmen and tradesmen --
and to be honest -- this forum is one of the very few places I ever hear this so heatedly discussed - if discussed at all. Most are too busy enjoying what they do.

I've certainly never had a customer ask me if I measured thier cabinets in inches or mm they just want to know they fit and look good.

Nor would I.
On the rare occassions where I find a need to -- I do.
In fact, again, I don't know anyone who is actually opposed to it.
(There may be some - I just don't know them.)
It's a simple matter of personal preference and convenience.
If/when the time comes that all of our bits and other tools are sold in metrics - Then we'll change and move on.
Just like auto mechanics have.

As for the plans --
Most of the time - I adapt those to the sizes and shapes that I need - so I wind up changing the measurements anyway.

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Hamlin

I for one don't understand the metric system, never have. Not saying I never will, mind you. I honestly believe that one can learn anything IF they are willing to learn. Can't teach something to someone who doesn't want to learn.

I'm always open & willing to learn... 'course I learn something new everyday.

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Ken

"A VETERAN"
"Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is HONOR, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -Author Unknown

harrysin

I think what Tom was trying to convey with his converted diagram was that to cater for non metric readers, he would have to completely redesign all of his very many projects and I think because he's about age 75, there might not be enough time!

Wood/timber............"I have a box made from wood"........"I have just purchased some timber to make wooden boxes"

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Harry

harrysin

"I for one wouldn't buy a book or DVD/CD that the projects that where in Metric,"

With all due respect Bj, I do recall you saying the same thing a while back regarding skis!

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Harry