- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Messages
- 1,729
For far too long I converted using .03937.. Only recently have I realized that 25.4 is easier and more accurate. SMH
I can convert more accurate than I can make
Stu
For far too long I converted using .03937.. Only recently have I realized that 25.4 is easier and more accurate. SMH
Dimensions in fractions of inches (at least down to 1/16”) are handy for brackets and similar parts that aren’t critical and make sense when working with stock sourced from the local hardware store or home center.Just don't do drawings in fractions, decimals are decimals regardless if they are inches or millimeters..
But yes I do wish we would just switch over....
Analog meters are very useful when looking at trends (think +/-) whereas digital are more for absolute measurements. I sadly sold my HeathKit VTVM (yes, with real Vacuum Tubes) many years ago, but still have a B-K FET Meter (and an EICO Magic Eye signal tracer) for troubleshooting.Accuracy only needs to be what we are capable of working.
Back in HS the lab had power supplies with digital outputs and others with analog.
Setup time with digital was way longer, results same.
The analog needle pointed at the number, digital had a Decimal to allow to .1 volt accuracy.
Did not matter but folks would chase it.
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Even if I could see them I couldn't count them. 64ths are sufficiently useless for me, after 32nds I go decimal.How many of us could see 128ths on a rule without glasses and a magnifier in tandem? Yes, useless.
While I still think in fractional increments, my drawings are always decimal, even if they equal fractional values.Dimensions in fractions of inches (at least down to 1/16”) are handy for brackets and similar parts that aren’t critical and make sense when working with stock sourced from the local hardware store or home center.
I’m more like James (Clough42): I’m not happy unless my drawings include fractions, decimal inches & mm - not necessarily to annoy anyone (that’s just a bonus), but to indicate tolerances and clearly indicate if something needs to be metric, such as metric hardware & hole spacing to match what a part is going to be attached to.