Rick Brandt wrote:
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
. com...

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message
Americans could easily get used to the Metric System if they learned it from
the word go.

No need. Just start using it and in day you know exactly what the measurments
are. Very simple really.

Like many Americans, years ago I though going metric was silly but now that I
have to use it at times, I wish we'd make the change and be done with it. All
of out machines at work are metric and it is as normal as can be in use and no
29/32 to worry about.

The mistake this country made when they first tried to "go metric" was trying to
teach everyone the conversion formulas. You don't need to know how many metric
whatsits go into an imperial doo-dad (the rest of the world doesn't know this
either). All you need to know is that a metric whatits is "about this
big/much/far".

Most people could only give a very crude guess on how much a gallon, pint, or
pound was if they had to measure out that much sand or water on their own. If
they can get about that good at guessing a kilo or litre, then they're good to
go.

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I agree. I spent many tours overseas and had a complete set of metric
measureing tools plust the usual household maintainance items. Hated
it when I retired and had to go back to this abortion we call a system.

One of the dumbest arguements against the metric tool system was from a
mechanic.

"I wouldn't be able to tell what wrench to grab". I pointed out that
he doesn't know now in that when he needs a 9/16 he doesn't grab a
"9/16" he grabs one "that size" and it would be the same in metric
except simpler as there are fewer choices.

Sorta OT. When did Great Britain do away with the Whitworth bolt/nut
sizes? Back in the 60s IIRC a mechanic had to have all 3 sizes of
wrenches.

Harry K