- Thread starter Sarto
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Pete.
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1-3/16" is simple. 1.1875 or thereabouts is a pain in the **** to mentally convert though. Inches are in fractions, not tenths. Thou are simple to convert as they readily convert to a fraction or millimetre and are only used in small amounts. Someone says five thou, it's easy. Someone reels off 3.380 at you though and you have an absolute **** of a time figuring out what that translates to. Use either imperial or metric; There's no inbetween.
Decimal inch to mm is a simple matter of x 25.4. How that's harder than figuring 32nds I don't know. Decimal inch is the only sane way of adding up inch dimensions on a part too, or doing trig, or machining tolerances.
MattF
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Sane? Have you checked present company?
Each to their own Pete. I personally just can't get on with decimal inch.
MattF
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I'm sure we've already had this conversation.
I merely use them as a reference which most others are familiar with, but I actually prefer to think in metric over thou. It's easier for me to mentally calculate using 1/4 of a millimetre than it is a thou, even though my preferred measuring method is imperial. As I say, I'd use the devils own system before decimal inch. Honestly, if anyone can still try imposing their logic after the above, I give over trying to put across a personal opinion with some of you. Talk about stubborn. Now come on chaps - stop shilly shallying arround, 
THIS is how you should measure things:
A PROPER chain measure, just like Ismbard Brunel used to lay out the Great Western Railway, a genuine cricket pitch long (22 yards) and beautifully made and surprisingly accurate when used properly - you have to be careful to get the twists out of the links as you unfurl it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_(unit)
THIS is how you should measure things:A PROPER chain measure, just like Ismbard Brunel used to lay out the Great Western Railway, a genuine cricket pitch long (22 yards) and beautifully made and surprisingly accurate when used properly - you have to be careful to get the twists out of the links as you unfurl it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_(unit)
Some people use the imperametric system when stating sizes. eg plywood 8×4x18mm
The construction industry is rife with this lol
I was taught in metric but working on site with brickies/ joiners etc I often find I flick between the two.
ie a 4inch wall measured in m2.
So I suppose I only ever measure in metric but will often talk imperial.
MattF
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It is a bit weird when you think about it, how some people swap around using different measuring systems depending on the particular task at hand. I honestly had never really thought about it before this thread came up.
p.s: I'm still holding a nad kick in reserve for if I ever meet the creator of decimal inches, either in this life or the next.
p.s: I'm still holding a nad kick in reserve for if I ever meet the creator of decimal inches, either in this life or the next.
fixerupper
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This thread reminded me of this tape that I bought a few years ago from a great tool come farm supply warehouse in Coggeshall Essex. It was at the back of some shelves brand new never been used how old do you reacon it is ?
