Random Thought Thread

Nathan the Machinist said:
Some people use the 0.0393700787 conversion factor which is retarded

I use the 25.4

25.4 is more accurate (perfect precision) and simpler. You just divide by instead of multiply

For approximate measurements, you can just use 25.

Making conversions in your head is easier this way. To go from English to metric in your head, you multiply something by 10 (add a zero) double it. And then add half again more.

Example: 8 inch in millimeter is 80 + 80 + 40. 200 mm. Anybody should be able to do that in their head. The real number is going to be a little bit more but for an approximation it's going to be very close.
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dumb why cant they just be the same. I refuse to do it
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
I wish we would just convert to metric, but I doubt it will ever happen.

It would be painful at first, but long term I think it's a better system.
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The ratchet wrenches in other countries are still quarter inch 3/8 and 1/2-in drive

Make it make sense
 
And then there are the pipe threads

Why on earth are there multiple standards for basically the same pipe thread

Not enough difference to actually be functionally important, just enough that they don't interchange
 
StoneAndSteel said:
I always SAY that I love the metric system, but it's such a PITA converting kg to lbs while doing a hard workout at the gym. I'm so programmed that I STILL need to see my weights in lbs to understand what I'm actually lifting at a European gym for several months. By the third exercise I can barely do the math-- and it isn't even hard...

Km to clicks is my kind of math. Lol
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Kg to lbs is just x2.2.

Easiest way to do it in my head:
X kg = 2X lbs + 0.1X lbs

95kg = 190lbs + 19lbs =209 lb
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
And there's another problem. Some people drive on the left and some people drive on the right

No standardization on things that could have been easily standardized
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The origins of that are archaic, and just like Standard vs Metric, the main reason for resisting change, is “We’ve been doing it this way for a long time. Too hard to change”.

The whole, “Why do just a few countries drive on the left?” apparently stemmed from swords (before the advent of firearms).

Most people are right handed. If you’re on horseback (or even driving a cart/carriage), and needed to draw your sword to defend yourself while passing someone with bad intentions, passing them to the left allowed you to draw your sword right handed to defend and engage someone to your right, more effectively, than passing to your right and needing to engage to your left.

It’s an archaic holdover, just like the handshake, which was originally a show of good faith, “See? I’m not holding a weapon to stab you with”.

Another interesting one, is clinking your glasses in a toast. The origins came before glassware, when people used metal tankards and sturdier drinking vessels, and the origins were to hit the drinking vessels against each other, slightly tilted, to allow the contents to slosh into each others, as a show of faith, “See? I’m not trying to poison you”.

*** The holdovers to driving on the left, are due to the influence of the British Empire. Not too sure why and how most other countries (far more countries drive on the right side) decided, “Screw you guys, we’re going to drive on the right side”.
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
I think lack of standardization on lots of things comes from an absence of planning/foresight or an attempt to corner the market.
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Air coupling couplers.

There should be, maybe three kinds. Not two dozen.

And g code

Why on earth does Okuma use the standard codes but they don't mean the same thing.
 
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