Who else is using a metric tape measure? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

streetracer · 11-13-2006, 06:53 PM

I finally got fed up with fractional inches and bought a metric tape measure. I know, I'll still need English measurements to buy material. But if I'm cutting a piece of drywall or lumber, I use metric.

It's easier to read. For example, I'm less likely to go crosseyed measuring to the quarter centimeter than to the eighth inch, and I get better precision to boot. A quarter centimeter is about a tenth of an inch.

If more precise measurements are needed, one can easily measure to the millimeter which is about a 25th of an inch. I bought a Kobalt tape at Lowe's that does both English and Metric, 10 meter (33ft) tape for about $14.

mdshunk · 11-13-2006, 06:54 PM

I bought a new tape rule a while back, and it was imperial on top, and metric across the bottom. It so offended me, I threw it out.

That's what I think of that communist metric crap.

ron schenker · 11-13-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

I bought a new tape rule a while back, and it was imperial on top, and metric across the bottom. It so offended me, I threw it out.

That's what I think of that communist metric crap.

You would love it here in Canada. All Metric and everything in French and English

Big Dave · 11-13-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron schenker

You would love it here in Canada. All Metric and everything in French and English

Not much differnce here, just English and Spanish.

streetracer · 11-13-2006, 08:19 PM

Too funny, ron. I've been to Toronto and Montreal in the past 2 years. They sell gas by the liter, measure distance in kilometers and the Real Estate ads tell how many square feet a house has. I went to Home Cheapo and saw half inch copper supply lines. Then there is the dual language thing. Talk about confusing!

streetracer · 11-13-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

That's what I think of that communist metric crap.

Yeah, those dang communists with their 10 fingers and 10 toes. What a goofy system.

Big Dave · 11-13-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetracer

Yeah, those dang communists with their 10 fingers and 10 toes. What a goofy system.

Now that thar is funnnnny.

mdshunk · 11-13-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetracer

Yeah, those dang communists with their 10 fingers and 10 toes. What a goofy system.

That's my Dad coming out of me. Anything that is "un-American" is automatically communist.

reveivl · 11-13-2006, 09:01 PM

What's curious here is that the code is written in metric but all building materials and all carpenters work in imperial. It's a real pita when you're doing codework or anything for the govt. all of which is in metric.

BuildingHomes · 11-19-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reveivl

What's curious here is that the code is written in metric but all building materials and all carpenters work in imperial. It's a real pita when you're doing codework or anything for the govt. all of which is in metric.

I use milimeters for very precise measurements. Fractional imperial stuff is just a pain for that.

But yes, most building materials here are in imperial.. Blame it on our largest trading partner who buys more than we can consume.

But I like knowing that 1L of water weighs 1 kilogram and that it freezes at 0C and boils at 100C. Easy to remember and easy to do the math.

**Teetorbilt** · 11-19-2006, 12:33 AM

Dad taught me how to mark to the inside or outside of the line on any measuring tool. I was exposed to metrics in the 60's. Why we didn't go that way TOTALLY defeats me! It's so much more accurate, easy and international.

I still use Imperial only because that's the way that it's always been done. Any complaints about fractions being a biach? I convert to decimals for most work, another headache.

PrecisionFloors · 11-19-2006, 08:54 PM

I use metric tapes for doing all of my trim work. I find it easier to read and more accurate as well...good luck finding a metric only tape here though. I actually had to buy a case of Stanleys on the bay.

streetracer · 11-19-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrecisionFloors

I use metric tapes for doing all of my trim work. I find it easier to read and more accurate as well...good luck finding a metric only tape here though. I actually had to buy a case of Stanleys on the bay.

Have you thought about selling half that case right here, or are you using them all? I have no idea how many tape measures come to a case. How many did you get for how much?

K2 · 11-19-2006, 09:35 PM

I keep a few long and short tapes around that measure tenths of a foot and tenths of tenth for working off of surveyor's maps. Tenth's look close enough to inches that i keep all the tenth tapes in one box so i don't grab one by accident.

Would have been nice to get on one system 300 years ago. I think it's too late now.

skymaster · 11-19-2006, 10:47 PM

www.fastcap.com tapes in Imperial, or metric only or metric and Imperial :}:}:}

I have both combo and Imps, build everything in Imp cept I use 32mm for shelf pin drilling and hardware installation. 32mm system holes and 5 mm screws.
JackM

Woz the Painter · 11-20-2006, 02:23 AM

Why work in metric or imperial, Whitworth is the way to go...

King of Crown · 11-20-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

www.fastcap.com tapes in Imperial, or metric only or metric and Imperial :}:}:}

I have both combo and Imps, build everything in Imp cept I use 32mm for shelf pin drilling and hardware installation. 32mm system holes and 5 mm screws.
JackM

I do the same thing. Euro system custom closets though. Everything is metric on them. The guy i work with is a genius. He can convert any metric measurement straight over to emperial in his head in less than a second.

nadonailer · 11-22-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

That's my Dad coming out of me. Anything that is "un-American" is automatically communist.

Yeah My Dad too! He passed away 10 years ago and refused to buy anything made in China. Imagine his horror nowadays!

nadonailer · 11-22-2006, 11:15 AM

I used to be a surveyor and always wondered why everyone didn't go the the 10ths/100ths thing long ago? Anyone know the history of the fractional system?
Having said all this, though, multi million dollar homes are popping up right and left around me and guess what everyonr uses? Yep.........
Must work!

**Teetorbilt** · 11-22-2006, 01:30 PM

Anyone know the history of the fractional system?

Same guy that invented the UK monetary system; 1 Pound = 20 shillings, 1 shilling = 12 pence and then you have quids, crowns, half crowns, 6 pence, thrupence and haypennies.