The Metric System! Tools, Nuts & Bolts!

[PAUL161]

I do realize that the Metric system is an easy system to master, even though a lot of us were raised and schooled with the standard system of America. I personally like our old system. I have about 10,000 bucks worth of tools that are of standard sizes. I also have about 4,000 bucks worth of metrics. What really ticks me off is when they use both on the same vehicle. Yes I know that metrics and std sizes cross at times, but not always. My Chevy truck has both and even though some metric and std. wrenches are very close to fitting the same bolt, some won't. There are some bolts on this truck that the bolt and nut are supposed to be the same size, but the bolt needs a std. wrench and the nut needs a metric to fit properly. It's very frustrating when you have to pull both boxes out to work on one object. Oh well, I had to rant about something this morning and this is my favorite subject. One thing for sure, I know I'm not alone.

Now that's off my chest, I'm happy again!

 

[DrEntropy]

I've the same opinion, Paul. If it even LOOKS like a "hybridized" SAE/metric car, I just look at it and shake my head in the negative. "Nope. Can't help ya there, johnny... dealer has th' proper tools fer that." /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

I can't be bother'd fussin' with a ~thing~ wot is part dog, part cat. feh. I've me own problems. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[zblu]

And throw in whitworth!, plus whatever the PO and ilk have put in as well!

 

[racingenglishcars]

Try the french, using all of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 ,18 and 19mm on ONE engine.

 

[DrEntropy]

Have. Not agaain, tho. Only takes this monkey ONE time to learn SOME lessons. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

 

[zblu]

Nothing the 9" grinder or the FBH cant fix /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[drooartz]

I must say, this is one (of many) reasons that I like the Sprite -- all SAE (other than the carbs). He who designs a mechanical device that uses multiple systems of measure should be drawn and quartered. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[vagt6]

After spending what I felt was a small fortune on SAE tools to restore my Triuphs back in the nineties, I delved into motorcycles in the past few years, all metric.

Deja Vu all over again with the tools! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif

Good for the tool manufacturers, bad for everyone else.

 

[ecurie_ecosse]

Since we seem to be going ballistic over SAE & Metric I thought I'd throw in my tuppence worth.
How about a measuring stick with both?
My experience with these is as follows.--
Picture this, I'm under a building and I need a piece of pipe.I call out the length in metres as 1.6m. I get a piece of pipe that isn't right.I crawl out and ask,politely of course, what happened? The guy cutting the pipe had a rule with metric one side and sae on the other! You guessed it!! He measured 1m then turned the thing over and measured 6".
There! that's my peeve for today. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Stuart. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

 

[DrEntropy]

Talk to NASA about a certain parabolic mirror they shoved into orbit... and how THEY feel about cross-pollinating SAE 'n metric measurements. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

 

[PAUL161]

Since we seem to be going ballistic over SAE & Metric I thought I'd throw in my tuppence worth.
How about a measuring stick with both?
My experience with these is as follows.--
Picture this, I'm under a building and I need a piece of pipe.I call out the length in metres as 1.6m. I get a piece of pipe that isn't right.I crawl out and ask,politely of course, what happened? The guy cutting the pipe had a rule with metric one side and sae on the other! You guessed it!! He measured 1m then turned the thing over and measured 6".
There! that's my peeve for today. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Stuart. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

Stuart, You need to color coat them. Hopfully the one reading it isn't color blind.

and

Me too!

 

[70herald]

Talk to NASA about a certain parabolic mirror they shoved into orbit... and how THEY feel about cross-pollinating SAE 'n metric measurements. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Um actually that certain parabolic mirror screw up was just a screw up, and not a metric screw up. On the other hand a certain Mars orbiter slammed right into mars instead of orbiting since the directional control engines WERE metric when NASA ordered them in SAE power output.

Incidentally, on the latest (and last) trip to the Hubble they took out the corrective lenses which were installed and put in a new camera which was designed for the improperly shaped mirror.

 

[DrEntropy]

hmm. I thought I remember'd ia as such. Much better that it was just a "standard" screw up, then. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

Incidentally, on the latest (and last) trip to the Hubble they took out the corrective lenses which were installed and put in a new camera which was designed for the improperly shaped mirror.

That I did see. And thought it brilliant, too. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

 

[terriphill]

If you EVER figure out how to get people to use the right side for what they are measuring...please share.
I teach 8th graders who CANNOT /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif ever seem to get it right! (And on most rulers it even says cm on one side and inches on the other) I am clueless except to make them measure something three times a week.

 

[Guest]

Now that's off my chest, I'm happy again!

Ah, the secret of life and how to be happy. I've been searching a long, long time. I want to be happy too. Just gotta get these monkeys off my back.

Methinks I am off-topic.

 

[Banjo]

Yet another reason I tend to stick with Foreign cars.
Toyota is 8 (rarely)then 10-12-14-17-19 with all lug nuts 21mm except Land cruisers and the new tundra at 22 mm
easy enough.
I still love the look you get occasionally when you tell people that British cars are all SAE. they fully expect metric.

 

[JamesWilson]

Now that's off my chest, I'm happy again!

Ah, but is it off your metric or your SAE tools' chest? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

 

[2wrench]

I saw an info-mercial for one tool set that will
turn nuts or bolts whether metric or standard.
I liked the idea. Didn't know if it really worked
or not, though. Can't remember the name. Seemed
to be a timely idea, though, as this thread would
suggest. Maybe somebody knows the product.

 

[piman]

Hello 2Wrench,

there are tools sold as Metrinch, but I don't like 'do everything' tools any way so I have no experience of them.

I have my imperial (SAE, Whitworth and B.A.) and Metric spanners for use as required.

Alec

 

[PAUL161]

Now that's off my chest, I'm happy again!

Ah, but is it off your metric or your SAE tools' chest? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Ah Ha! Good question!