[USMA:36531] Re: Contractors resisting metrication (was April 1)

[Remek Kocz]

Yes, people don't really understand what changeover to metric means.  I run across the concerns that the football field will be changed or that 2x4's won't be called that, or that the inchworm will end up being 2.54 cm worm, etc.  When it comes down to it, people get hung up on trivial things, and declare that converting to metric is either impossible or not for them.

Other than the lengthy part on converting from USC to metric, I think that the Powerpoint presentation was excellent, and it clearly illustrated how straightforward (theoretically, at least) the conversion of the construction industry can be.  I did not see any discussion of existing building codes and standards, which are obviously all done in hard USC measurements, so I wonder how that will be metricated.  The impact is huge, and the first naysayers will be bringing up the cost and the safety issues.

Remek

On 4/10/06, Phil Chernack < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Mike,

 

You should tell your father that metrication does not mean the items he uses such as sheetrock or "2x4's will change.  The sizes will remain the same but the labeling will change.  It's just a matter of getting used to the new "labels" and different spacing.  All you need to do is refer to the  powerpoint  presentation you posted earlier.

 

Phil

 

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From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Mike Millet
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 10:03 AM

To: U.S. Metric Association

Subject: [USMA:36528] Re: Contractors resisting metrication (was April 1)

 

I'm just curious here I was having a discussion with my dad and several other contractors about the construction industry slowly metricating and they said it would be impossible to ever fully metricate because it's totally impossible to buy sheetrock by the square meter or cement blocks by the mm and wood by mm instead of two by four. I told them that it was possible if they bought from out of country suppliers or even larger ones but they pointed out that local contractors building houses buy supplies  locally and local suppliers would never stock metric products. Also, they mentioned that it should be illegal for the government or other contractor to buy out of country if he wants SI because it deprives American contractors of work. i.e. "If you don't let me use inches and feet and buy in them then you're interfering with my ability to do my job well"

Is it true that it's impossible to do so? I find it hard to believe given SI's influence in making everything else conform to it but who knows.

Mike
--
"The boy is dangerous, they all sense it why can't you?"