Re: Metric

The UK still uses both systems so do many other countries and ex colonies

The uk switched to metric to bring us in line with the EEC as it was then however most people over 45 still tend to use imperial measurements because thats what we are used too although most can use metric if they need to

Road speed signs are still in imperial as are clothes sizes with the metric equivelent written next to them Shops were supposed to switch to metric however most still advertise foodweights in pounds and ounces as well

Time is rarely displayed in metric.

Alcohol is sold in imperial and metric measurements , fuel is now sold in litres so it looks cheaper on the forcourt (£1.05p a litre sounds better than £4.80p a gallon as does a penny a litre rise against a 5 p a gallon rise )

No. :-)

You missed the easiest answer, that the people on the other side of the bridge are simply more comfortable with an old system - and a very large majority aren't enthusiastic about losing that comfort.

I suspect that if you were to take a poll, the result would be that we're comfortable with what we've got and can't see any good reason to throw that comfort away and struggle to cope with something else.

It has a lot less to do with France than it does with the fact that Aunt Emily's recipe for the family's favorite dessert may not come out quite right when ingredients are measured differently, or that any of a zillion other recipes, designs, plans, may stop working if the underlying measurement system changes. (OMG, what'll I do if they stop making 10" blades for my Unisaur? Yikes!)

Lady Liberty's design metrics and, to a lesser extent, her place of origin lost importance as she transitioned from being an object in New York to a treasured symbol for all people everywhere (something I hadn't much thought about until I saw her in Tiananmen Square in '89, and have thought about a lot since).

On 9/10/2009 5:42 AM Robatoy spake thus:

In the interest of actually addressing the point of yourstarting post in this thread, let me say this [harrumph]:

While I may appear to have something of a laissez-faire attitude concerning metrification in the U.S.--in fact, I'm basically against it, for a number of reasons--to answer your question, I think there's only one logical explanation.

American Exceptionalism. Plain and simple.

As in so many other aspects of policy, it's the overweening hubris and the belief that we, the Merkin People, are specially endowed by our Creator with Speshul Magical Powerz that render us immune to the natural laws that bind other, lesser peoples.

(But I still oppose forced metrification here.)

Australia began the process of converting to the metric system in 1970. (The use of metric measurement has been legal here since 1947 and our currency went metric in 1966.) It was completed in stages in various sections of government and industry over a period of about 18 years. Most of us, (me included,) stubbornly resisted the change at first. This was followed by a period of grudging acceptance of that which was foisted upon us. For a short while I coped by thinking in terms of imperial measurements and converting those to metric when necessary. It was not until I decided to start visualising in metric terms that it became easy. After couple of years I found that I liked it. It's simple and logical.

For woodworking, I use only metres and millimetres. Up to 2m in length, I use millimetres. Beyond that it's metres, taken to the third decimal. e.g.

There is no denying that it was confusing and difficult for the aged part of our population. It took many years for my Mother to come to terms with Kilograms,Grams, Litres and Millilitres in the supermarket. She never did adapt to Kilometres, Metres and Centimetres. However, she coped.

And there was a cost to the everyday man in the street. As an example, during the changeover period, It became necessary to to purchase metric spanners, tape measures and various other measuring instruments. I guess the upside of that was a boost to the economy from purchases that otherwise would not have been made.

Everyday units of measurements are commonly expressed as follows: Length - Metres, centimetres, or millimetres. e.g. 1.325m = 132.5cm =

Common hardware items in other than metric sizes are still available in many places, although becoming less common. - Whitworth, UNC and UNF bolts for example.

Almost forty years later, with our daily lives and commerce based on the metric system, I believe that it was a farsighted decision for us to convert. We now live in a global economy. Having a common global system of measurement makes economic sense.

I, for one, would not wish to go back to the Imperial system.

Notwithstanding the above, I can understand why the US populace would be reluctant to change, (as we once were.) For that matter, I see no reason why they should if they have no wish to.

Use 254mm blades same as I do on my table saw :-)

I guess our closer proximity to Europe and the regular import of cars made in France, Germany, Italy etc meant that tool kits including both metric and imperial spanners etc were common place long before official, legally enforced, metrication here. I recall the first socket set I bought, in around 1970, had both, although my car at the time was exclusively A/F fasteners. (possibly some BA in small size screws). I think my father had a couple of imperial-only tape measures but by the time I started buying dual scaling was the norm.

or use the 250mm blade that is about the real size of your 10" blade after its first sharpening ;-) ;-)

Or the size it really is but is only marked 10" as a Linus Blanket thing