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Can't the US lag behind the world if it wants? Our political leaders can't get anything done, why shouldn't our measurements be as screwed up as our Congress?
So I just learned an interesting fact. There are only three countries not using the metric system - the U.S. of course, Liberia, and Myanmar.
Why are we not on the metric system? Did the tool manufacturing lobby keep it this way so that we all have to buy twice as many tools? Look in any mechanic's shop and you'll see a set of standard tools and a duplicate set of metric tools. I call conspiracy, dammit!!!
Read up, we use it, and have used it for many of years.
So I just learned an interesting fact. There are only three countries not using the metric system - the U.S. of course, Liberia, and Myanmar.
Why are we not on the metric system? Did the tool manufacturing lobby keep it this way so that we all have to buy twice as many tools? Look in any mechanic's shop and you'll see a set of standard tools and a duplicate set of metric tools. I call conspiracy, dammit!!!
Location: Georgia, on the Florida line, right above Tallahassee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastern Roamer
So I just learned an interesting fact. There are only three countries not using the metric system - the U.S. of course, Liberia, and Myanmar.
Why are we not on the metric system? Did the tool manufacturing lobby keep it this way so that we all have to buy twice as many tools? Look in any mechanic's shop and you'll see a set of standard tools and a duplicate set of metric tools. I call conspiracy, dammit!!!
I guess it is the other way round. Half an inch is about 13mm.
The dimensions of bolts etc. are exactly 1/2 or 1/4 inches. Since the introduction of the metric system in cars they calculate those inch values into metric values for the purpose of documentation etc., but continue to use the precise inch values on the reference engineering level.
Not true. And also the comments about Jeeps still using American standard bolts are untrue. It just so happens that there are some that sort of fit each other. The threads are completely different. The 80s were the switchover years, so you will find some mixing during that period. By the 90s, all the American auto manufacturers had switched over to fully metric, including and especially at the engineering level.
The 1/2" bolt people are referring to on their Jeeps is actually metric; it is an 8mm thread with a 13mm head size. Coincidentally, a 1/2" wrench will usually fit it. Try putting a 5/16"-18 bolt in that hole (which is what would actually have a 1/2" head). Good luck.
Metric is easier and more logical. I would fully support changing over to it.
Not true. And also the comments about Jeeps still using American standard bolts are untrue. It just so happens that there are some that sort of fit each other. The threads are completely different. The 80s were the switchover years, so you will find some mixing during that period. By the 90s, all the American auto manufacturers had switched over to fully metric, including and especially at the engineering level.
The 1/2" bolt people are referring to on their Jeeps is actually metric; it is an 8mm thread with a 13mm head size. Coincidentally, a 1/2" wrench will usually fit it. Try putting a 5/16"-18 bolt in that hole (which is what would actually have a 1/2" head). Good luck.
Metric is easier and more logical. I would fully support changing over to it.
People are lazy.
They want "the system" to solve all their problems.
So I just learned an interesting fact. There are only three countries not using the metric system - the U.S. of course, Liberia, and Myanmar.
Why are we not on the metric system? Did the tool manufacturing lobby keep it this way so that we all have to buy twice as many tools? Look in any mechanic's shop and you'll see a set of standard tools and a duplicate set of metric tools. I call conspiracy, dammit!!!
If the American people wanted to use metric, they would use metric but they don't.
Or we Americans use it when we choose to use it, and use the non-metric when it's more practical to use it.
Really how much more convenient the Ameircan system -- an inch is about the size of a thumb bone, you can measure out in feet by using your own feet. Fahrenheit makes more sense than centrigrade when it comes to measuring comfort level for temperature. 0 is real cold. 100 is real hot, 50 is in the middle. You can't really do that with centrigrade.
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