MM to Inches

[headhunter636]

I found some plans for a loft bed that would suit our needs very well, but they are metric. I am thinking of just converting all of the measurements to inches, has anyone done this and if so, what types of problems will I see when I finally start cutting and nailing?

Thanks.

[RodKirby]

See my signature...

Another thought - buy a couple of metric tapes/rules. You may find mm's are VERY easy to work with!

[phi1l]

If you math is good, should be no problem, but you might want to check what the standard dimensions ar fo lumber where the plans were made, I don't know for sure, but those dimensions might be different as well.

[RayintheUK]

Get yourself a metric tape! There are bound to be some "rounding-up" and/or "rounding down" moments which could affect the overall result. I've been metric since 1971 and I would never go back, even if I had the choice.

Ray

[RodKirby]

Get yourself a metric tape! There are bound to be some "rounding-up" and/or "rounding down" moments which could affect the overall result. I've been metric since 1971 and I would never go back, even if I had the choice.

Ray

+1 It only took me about an hour to realize what I had been missing.

"Unambiguous" and "precise" are two words that come to mind.

[Knottscott]

+1 It only took me about an hour to realize what I had been missing.

"Unambiguous" and "precise" are two words that come to mind.

My track times are slower in the 100 in metric.

...could be just age!

[L. D. Jeffries]

I was living in the UK when they changed from "sterling" to metric for money. Soo much easier counting in 10's then in 12's. When I first moved there I'd end the day with a pocket full of hugh pennies cause I didn't know how to quickly figure out the closest amount of money. As far as w/w'ing the metric system is a piece of cake..all 10's. + on getting a metric rule, you won't be sorry!

[headhunter636]

The plans are from Australia and I actually have a metric tape measure I bought while I was in Germany. I think I will dig it out and give metric a shot, I remember a while back when I believe Mr. Kirby said he felt sorry for us who still use inches.

Thanks guys.

[leehljp]

For some reason, I can think in metric and the Imperial system and go back and forth in some situations.

The problem will be when you want fractional measurements instead of decimal/percentage measurement in inches.


Converting from Metric to Inches is done is percentages -> i.e. something like 40mm will translate into 1.57 inches . . . where as most imperial tape measures are in fractional markings, thereby requiring a second conversion.

IF you have a decimal inch tape measure, then you will only have to make one conversion for each number - but these kind of rules are rare. For more than two or three measurement conversions on a project, it is much easier, as others said, to use a metric tape.

ONE warning: Use the SAME tape or rule throughout the whole project, or you may find some interesting and frustrating differences.

[BobSch]

If you want to cheat, download Convert from

http://joshmadison.com/software/convert-for-windows/

[Richard in Smithville]

For some reason, I can think in metric and the Imperial system and go back and forth in some situations.

I'm the same way Hank. Kinda feel bilingual

[gerti]

I grew up metric, then moved to the US. At first I tried to stay metric. But living in an imperial world with imperial supplies, in the end it was easier to just go imperial.

[RodKirby]

The plans are from Australia and I actually have a metric tape measure I bought while I was in Germany. I think I will dig it out and give metric a shot, I remember a while back when I believe Mr. Kirby said he felt sorry for us who still use inches.

Thanks guys.

True!

BTW To avoid measuring glitches, ALWAYS use millimetres, NOT centimetres (mms are the lowest unit). Particularly when you're new to them.

[RayintheUK]

If you want to cheat, download Convert ....

I've tried downloading the program you suggest, Bob, but it's not playing along. Wouldn't you still get decimal places of inches, though, which defeats most tape measures?

Ray

[cabinetman]

Get yourself a metric tape! There are bound to be some "rounding-up" and/or "rounding down" moments which could affect the overall result.

Ray

I can see the "rounding up or down" as the problem when converting. If I were to use metric, I would pick up one of those hand held conversion calculators. The decision for example is if 3mm is close to 1/8", converting 1/16" to mm (1.5875), I would have to use a chart like this, which will use a decimal just like converting inches to decimal (1/16" = .0625).
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