Can't say that i don't understand the metric system i just don't think in metric. If you have trouble with fractions just use the decimal equivalent. Instead of 1/4 just use .250, have worked in machine shops long enough that i think that way anyhow. Engineering rules (read in tenth's and hundredth's) are available, or at least easier to find than all metric rules.

Am curious about the push in Europe to enforce the metric system. I know in certain industries there is some degree of worldwide standardization, but just because everyone is using the metric system doesn't mean that there will be standardization in everything. Yes i know that a millimeter is a millimeter the world over, but in the mechanical world there are a number of different standards. If you need a 10mm bolt is it threaded in Japanese standard or French?

Maybe is just a conspiracy by the measuring tool companies of the world to make money selling new rulers. Working in a machine shop i routinley measure to .0254mm (.001") and use thousands of dollars worth of measuring instruments that only read in standard measurements. Converting to a new measuring system would be very expensive. How much cost has been past on to consumers in the conversion to metric?

With the EU banning the sale of packaging in standard measure does that mean when someone needs a fastener for an old MG they would have to purchase a package labeled 12.7mm x 2.11 instead of 1/2 x 12 whitworth to be legal?