Replies

1. 
   daverichards | Aug 25, 2019 02:01pm | #1

   I don't believe any of the plans are offered in metric units.

   Many of the plans include a SketchUp model of the project. You could easily modify the model to get metric dimensions out of it.

2. 
   rob_ss | Aug 26, 2019 04:01am | #2

   I've given up with US plans. It's just easier and cheaper to buy a ruler marked in inches. One day they will see the light...

3. 
   user-3344055 | Aug 26, 2019 08:06pm | #3

   I doubt that. I've actually read commentaries where metric is a Communist plot and a back door for Socialism to take over the world. I just don't like the error potential doing conversions.

1. 
   bilyo | Oct 12, 2021 09:57pm | #7

   I hope you are not serious. The metric system is simply a system of measure based on tangible measurable constants (such as the speed of light or the wave length of specific colors of light) developed back in the 16th century, long before communism was even a glimmer in someone's eye.

2. 
   Rob_Sp | Oct 13, 2021 08:54pm | #12

   "I've actually read commentaries where metric is a Communist plot and a back door for Socialism to take over the world. I just don't like the error potential doing conversions."

   You mean, it isn't??

4. 
   Melvang | Aug 27, 2019 04:23am | #4

   When doing conversions, if doing manually, there is no error when using 25.4 mm to the inch. That is all the digits, no rounding to get that conversion number. The only error you will get is rounding errors.

   For what it's worth, not all Americans are adverse to using metric. I used to work industrial mechanical construction and now work industrial mechanical maintenance. I have used both metric and Imperial. We have 2 mold pour lines in our foundry. One is inch, the other is metric. I was a contractor installing the metric line. It was an Italian design. Working with their company reps during installation. It was a little awkward at first. But it's no big deal now. Just a different tape measure. Reading a metric micrometer the first time threw me off a little, but it's not difficult if you use a little brain power.

5. 
   westernwombat | Oct 12, 2021 04:53pm | #5

   It seems to me that several of the FWW editors build in metric. When you look at their plans and see dimensions like something and 15/16 or something and 7/32 when you do the conversion (thank goodness for calculators with built in conversions) the numbers very often work out to very, very close to whole millimeter dimensions.
   It would be very helpful if FWW could publish "bilingual" versions of their plans.

6. 
   roy.unit8c | Oct 12, 2021 06:04pm | #6

   I've used imperial my whole life but bought a six inch ruler with metric on one side. I find it easier to read the mm's than to read 32ds and 64ths of inches. Often I roll my fingernail over from the inches and get a mm reading to use just because it's easier to read. Quite a conversion system, heh?

7. 
   _mj_ | Oct 12, 2021 10:17pm | #8

   I saw 2 mms in my shop last week. I sprayed around the baseboads. I hope that solves the issue.

1. 
   daverichards | Oct 12, 2021 10:47pm | #9

   LOL! Thank you! :)

2. 
   bilyo | Oct 13, 2021 06:31pm | #10

   I think I have some of those too but they are so small I can't see them. And they don't do any harm. So I just ignore them. ;>)
   Good one!

8. 
   [email protected] | Oct 13, 2021 06:48pm | #11

   I lived in Canada for 35 years when they made the conversion .The battle lines formed quickly but the holdouts are dying off and metric will survive

9. 
   vespid | Oct 14, 2021 09:02am | #13

   If the metric system is so great why are there 24 hours in a day. :)

1. 
   john_c2 | Oct 14, 2021 09:52am | #14

   You'll have to talk to the ancient Egyptians about that.

2. 
   bilyo | Oct 14, 2021 11:10am | #15

   Because 25 are too many and 23 aren't enough. ;>)