Thread: Razors are measured in eights...

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yes, I feel metric is the best, and easiest way to measure. I have some machinist and carpenter friends who abhor it. As I build things, I prefer the millimeters and centimeters. Fractions are more difficult for me to figure, since I don't use them regularly.

I am a Toolmaker in a manual machine shop. Most things that come in our shop via pharmaceutical and food industry is in metric. We convert everything into English measurements. In the beginning it was a pain, now its second nature. The .039370" = 1m.m. is forever in my brain.

My physician uses the metric system...I like the #s on some measurements, not so much on my waist.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is nothing worse then working on anything mechanical that was made/assembled in two different countries, one using Metric and one using SAE, or having aftermarket parts that have different sizes

They don't necessarily have been made in two different countries.

Back in the mid 70's I was an auto body repairman. GM came up with the bright idea to 'slowly' introduce metric in the bodies of their cars. The metric ones were sort of a powdery medium blue color and SAE was in just regular plated. T'was a major pain in the keester

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is nothing worse then working on anything mechanical that was made/assembled in two different countries, one using Metric and one using SAE, or having aftermarket parts that have different sizes

Tell me about it,my ford explorers engine was made in Germany,the tranny in france,tons of the truck was made in mexico.
I do my own work on the truck,had to buy all the metric tools down to the gizzillions of metric torx screws.
My wifes Mini cooper is the same way.
I had to put a new elec motor in my golf cart yesterday,Club car, 100% made in Amerika,all SAE nuts and bolts what a pleasure.
Become a libertarian,close the borders to all immigrants and their stupid metric systems.

Originally Posted by Tarkus

I am a Toolmaker in a manual machine shop. Most things that come in our shop via pharmaceutical and food industry is in metric. We convert everything into English measurements. In the beginning it was a pain, now its second nature. The .039370" = 1m.m. is forever in my brain.

So I suppose this is done as the machine's dials, etc, are graduated in 'English'? How hard would it be for you to use a metric machine on metric specs if you had it? I wonder if it would not be like starting over!

Getting back to the O.P.'s thread title. Razors are measured in eighths. It kills me to say 6/8ths. In a machine shop you would be flogged and cast out like a newbie, not saying 3/4" I slip up all the time when I talk razors. I always round off its the Toolmaker in me.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

So I suppose this is done as the machine's dials, etc, are graduated in 'English'? How hard would it be for you to use a metric machine on metric specs if you had it? I wonder if it would not be like starting over!

Exactly every dial on all of the machines, every measuring instrument is in English too spendy to buy over.

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Exactly every dial on all of the machines, every measuring instrument is in English too spendy to buy over.

Yes, obviously, but my question is hypothetical. IF you had the metric graduated dials, measuring instrument? At this point, how do you think it would be to adapt? Also, could you revert to standard and back easily?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yes, obviously, but my question is hypothetical. IF you had the metric graduated dials, measuring instrument? At this point, how do you think it would be to adapt? Also, could you revert to standard and back easily?

I think I could convert to full Metric if I had too, but to slip back and forth between both, no way. I would have a gigantic scrap pile.

I dunno, all my primitive measuring devices, rulers, yardstick etc, are all in metric and SAE. Cheap digital readout calipers show both at the touch of a button. All road distance and speed signs are metric and have been for decades. Car speedometers are in dual readings too. So no real problem with measurements here. Still do my fuel economy in MPG not Liters per 100kms though but my nephew who is 20 years my junior just can't grasp MPG growing up using metric exclusively.

The only thing that is a PITA is the mix of metric and SAE parts and components for things.

Bob