The Metric System

[ShinySideUp]

Can we drop gallons as a measure of tank capacity? No one uses them in the real world apart from Americans and they don't use the same size gallons as everyone else anyway. Like it or not, litres (or 'liters' for the less articulate) is the preferred form for most of the civilised world and it would avoid constant translation between tank sizes, medication doses and miles per gallon (litres per 100kms for the enlightened).

I still drink pints but litres would not bother me (especially if they were the same price!).

Litres please, not gallons.

Cheers

Martin

 

[Tolak]

Learn to convert mentally, it keeps you sharp. C to F is still tricky to me, the rest is a piece of cake.

 

[mike455555]

to be honest i don't mind working in both i just remember my 3 gal bucket holds 14L and then estimate from there >.>

 

[gatorsean]

1 gallon equals 3.7 "litres." Most people can do that in their head.

 

[pkppv]

pretty sure one gallon is 3.8 litres...but i just call it about 4 and do it in my head

 

[Xraymark]

The confusion is between US or imperial gallon. A lot of people use gallon but don't state which. Yep confussing.

 

[StandbySetting]

Metric conforms to system internationale, which is why it is all I use.

 

[tribalbrit]

Its an age thing.. us older ones use imperial measurements because thats what we know best. However I am in the building trade and doors, sheets of plywood etc. Are still imperial.
I do use metric more than imperial now.

I have been known to order 6" x 2" timber in 3.6 meter lengths.

 

[Bignose]

Can we drop gallons as a measure of tank capacity? No one uses them in the real world apart from Americans and they don't use the same size gallons as everyone else anyway. Like it or not, litres (or 'liters' for the less articulate) is the preferred form for most of the civilised world and it would avoid constant translation between tank sizes, medication doses and miles per gallon (litres per 100kms for the enlightened).

I still drink pints but litres would not bother me (especially if they were the same price!).

Litres please, not gallons.

Cheers

Martin

America has a few groups of businesses that would have to convert before we start to think in metric. Gasoline companies and beer companies are two that come to mind immediately. We still buy gasoline by the gallon, and all our beer still comes in 12 oz can and bottles. Soda companies here are tweeners -- they sell in 2 L bottles, but also still in 12 or 16 oz. bottles and cans.

As a matter of fact, the American government has mandated the use of metric for many years now -- all our standards and government documents are in metric units. Most international company's internal documents are also in metric. It just hasn't permeated common use. People still think something is "about 2 miles away" not "about 5 km away"

Lastly, this story always makes me smile: There was a normal 4 lane suburb-type road in the city I grew up. It was a big enough road, it went through most of the local suburbs. The speed limit on it, set by each of the local municipalities, changed constantly. 30 mph here, 25 mph near the school, 40 mph in a less busy spot, etc. The neighbor city to the East decided it was going to try to force the metric conversion -- so it made all its signs in km/h instead of mph -- so all of a sudden the speed limit on this read jumped to like 60! That city got a lot of extra revenue from speeding tickets until people figured it out...

 

[Ace Of Spades]

I have been known to order 6" x 2" timber in 3.6 meter lengths.

6inches by 2inches, that's a small piece of timber?

 

[mike455555]

6 feet by 2? im think he meant

 

[cynic]

No he means 6 inches by 2 inches,by 11ft long,probably flooring joists.

As far as converting between the 2 speaking as someone born on decimalisation day i don't care. I use the nearest, completely bi lingual.

 

[tribalbrit]

I have been known to order 6" x 2" timber in 3.6 meter lengths.

6inches by 2inches, that's a small piece of timber?

6" x 2" is a standard ceiling joist, not small at all.
I too go to which ever is nearest and if the lighting aint great and I don't have my glasses its got to be inches.
6" x 2" = 150mm x 50mm for anyone under the age of decimilisation.

 

[ShinySideUp]

I am 57 but rarely use imperial units. I weigh myself in kilograms, I measure in centimetres and metres and as a truck driver I am quite familiar with kilometres as odometers are in metric as are tachographs. I use degrees Celsius when measuring tank temp (and sometimes in Kelvin when I want to appear particularly pretentious )

Imagine if they brought back £.s.p. ... nightmare for me; it would be like trying to multiply Roman Numerals!

 

[tribalbrit]

I bet your house doors are 6'6" x 2'6" though.lol.