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?

"...replacing a piece of trim that's 3' 3/16" wide and minus 1/4" for blade width...."

Why in the world would you include glade WIDTH in any measurement???

You got it. You want metric, go to a metric country. Don't try to convert me/my country, we are pretty much happy with what we got...

One more time, how long is a cubit?

Cubt=elbow to finger tips. Not exactly the most precise way to measure since we do not all have the same size ruler.

It makes sense to learn and use metric

Think about it:

Quick, add these lengths:

1/2 + 11/16 + 3/4 + 2/3

or

.123 + .565 + .321 + .978

Which is easiest? And, very importantly - which is least error prone? Error measurements can cost you alot of money in some situations, or even your life.

This applies to volume measurements also.

Finally, you guys are all going to go metric over there

It might be easier to do that math, but how difficult is it really? I think I can handle the calculations fairly easily in either system.

What I think it more difficult to switch is judgment. When you are judging distance and communicating it to someone, speaking to them in terms they understand is key. When I worked afloat, telling someone they were "ten feet" off or in a certain direction communicated something they understoood. Three meters was something that would have required them to think.

Either system works and converting from one to the other is simple enough. Converting our brian waves to think in meters is not so simple. It's like elarnign to think in a new language. I can speak a language besides English to some extent, but my brian will not think in anything else. We would need to be immersed in the mertic system to be able to think in it, and there would be a difficult time of adjustment.

GO PATRIOTS!!! WOO HOO.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Your Pal,

Blitz

Alabama already tried it. They now have a bunch of speed limit signs after they had to go back & replace them with the old signs.