Why do metric sockets come in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive?

[ovrszd]

Very good explanation of how we end up with a mix.

In your opinion, could a "standard" be established and enforced?

 

[bunyip]

The advantage of metric is that it is very easy to use, you already have 'metric' currency, we converted in 1966 and whilst there was oppostion it made life a lot easier with everything in multiples of 10.
I remember the days of 12 pennies = 1 shilling, 20 shillings = 1 pound or 240 pennies, I am 1.95m tall or 195cm, I weigh too many kg.....

 

[Rustyiron]

I am getting a little more familiar with metric hardware sizes and used to think it was very simple and made sense. The more I learn about all the different threads per mm the less I can call it simple. I don't care either way and other than fig newton meters or whatever a metric torque wrench uses, I have almost as many mm's as I have 16's, 8'th, quatrter's and 32'nds wrenches & sockets. Sure would be nice to just pick one. I keep metric adjustable wrench on the tractor, I just turn it over and the other side seems to be fine with "standard".:laughing:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Brits also used the BWS system,
"Bitish Wentworth series'.
Had some hardware on my 50's MG TD that used them,(head or exhaust I seem to recall) and was he11 to get a proper socket.

I believe old Triumph motorcycles use some of that oddball system too...

SR

 

[Sawyer Rob]

As far as I'm concerned, you can stick that metric system up where the sun don't shine... lol

SR

 

[airbiscuit]

The speed limit signs are much higher in Metric. That's why I like driving in Canada

 

[bunyip]

The speed limit signs are much higher in Metric. That's why I like driving in Canada

Never really think about it, sitting on 110 on the freeway is just the norm but when I cook I have problems with pounds and ounces, just so messy, but I get confused with other measurements such as a cord of wood, I had never heard of that before, we buy firewood by the Tonne or Cubic Metre, the only other problem I have is microscopic conversions such as a beesdick.

 

[Howling]

Very good explanation of how we end up with a mix.

In your opinion, could a "standard" be established and enforced?

There are 2 standards SAE and Metric. Most of the world has shifted to the metric standard. The US started this path in '70s. Massive push back against change and political will change dropped the official change. The US will catch up to the rest of the world on this change. Just will take a generation.

The older engineers are retiring. The current younger generation of engineers grow up with the metric system. Combined companies selling to global markets meeting the needs of customers to use metric components.

It is us old folk that grew up with SAE as the real system and have to do the mental math to convert metric back to SAE mind set. The measurement and hardware fundamentals are the same, just different units. The magic number is 25.4 (mm per inch). That M6-1 bolt is slightly small then 1/4" with a 25.4 threads per inch.

Going metric does means not asking is that 8 ounces 1/2 pound or 1 cup?

 

[bunyip]

Another can of worms, a Tablespoon, is it 4 or 5 teaspoons and in metric I have seen it as both 20 and 25 ml, weather is Hp instead of Mb but they are very similar, we measure land in Ha and air pressure in Kpa but I confess to understanding Psi better.
Maybe our BX2370's should be renamed as the metric power unit.

 

[Howling]

Units and conversations are always fun.

Is 30 degrees cold? Depends on units. F yes, C no. At -40 both agree how cold it is. (Except those working is degrees Kelvin or Rankine.)

Psi (or Kpa) depends on where you start. Typically psi refers to psig (atmospheric). But psia (absolute) add 14.7.

Eventually stuff will move to metric. But some legacy things will remain from SAE. Like the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive sizes that started this thread because the amount equipment that is already out there in use.