It is possible to go to the next largest metric size. You re-drill the hole to remove the old thread then re-tap the hole with metric threads. For example. If the hole was tapped for a 3/8 bolt, you can drill it out with a 10 mm drill and tap it for M12 x 1.75.
I'm sure there are other ways to do it too. Drilling and re-tapping is not an ideal solution but it is better then discarding a good machine over an unavailable part. I seem to remember that an American company called MTD (Modern Tool & Die) ran into a problem in the '90s selling lawnmowers in Germany. They were all inch built and when it came time to service them the Germans had problems with the fasteners. They didn't have the tools to remove them nor the non-standard parts to replace them. The word got out, their reputation sank, their sales plummeted thus forcing them to leave the German market. So yes, exporting non-metric equipment can cost a company a loss of market. I don't know whatever happened afterward. Did anyone else hear this story? Jerry ________________________________ From: Martin Vlietstra <[email protected]> To: [email protected]; U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 3:44:06 AM Subject: RE: [USMA:43271] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package If somebody has to maintain non-metric equipment in a metric country, replacing the non-metric screws can be a real problem – they will often be tempted to use the closest metric screws and in so doing, damage the threads of the equipment. A minus point when you try to export non-metric equipment. ________________________________ From:[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeremiah MacGregor Sent: 27 February 2009 23:07 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:43271] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package Sometimes when the bolts get rusty and the heads get worn from an improper tool, the best thing to do is to replace them. Jerry ________________________________ From:Michael Payne <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 6:42:36 AM Subject: [USMA:43239] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package There was no need to replace them, so I did not contemplate it. There is always an adjustable wrench. I give this as an example of the frustration faced by people in other countries working on US manufactured non metric equipment ----- Original Message ----- From:Jeremiah MacGregor To:Michael Payne ; U.S. Metric Association Sent:Monday, 23 February 2009 03:47 Subject:Re: [USMA:43235] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package It may have been a bigger problem but once done you would have had all new metric bolts and you would never have to worry about your wrench not fitting. How long do you think it would take you to replace 16 bolts? Could they be done a few at a time or do they have to be done all at once? What size were they? Jerry ________________________________ From:Michael Payne <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 10:24:19 PM Subject: [USMA:43235] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package I would not buy anything that was not metric if I knew beforehand. With the Peerless Transmission for my Lawn Tractor I used the old bolts after cursing the fact my wrenches would not fit. I needed to replace 2 Grease nipples, I ordered M10x1.0 Grease nipples, drilled the hole with a 9 mm drill and tapped the threads for 10x1.0 mm. Replacing the fractional inch bolts would have been a much bigger problem, there are about 16 bolts to hold the case together, all fractional inch. Mike Payne ----- Original Message ----- From:Jeremiah MacGregor Not buying something because of the ability of obtaining spare parts is understandable, but saying you won't buy something because it isn't metric is not a sensible reason. I'm sure if someone overseas ended up with an old inch Peerless Ohio transmission and didn't have inch bolts to replace old ones or inch tools they may consider re-tapping the holes and replacing the bolts with available metric ones.. What did you do? Jerry ________________________________ From:Michael Payne <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 6:59:04 PM Subject: [USMA:43221] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package How would a manufacturer ever know the reason someone did not buy their product? In other countries once you've got used to the simplicity of the metric system and have only metric tools, you will have a really hard time buying the fractional inch bolt locally, same with the tools. You might not even realize it's not a metric bolt or nut, you might purchase a non metric product once but never again. I've just been working on my John Deere tractor which is all metric, same as the workshop manual. However I've found that the transmission made by Peerless Ohio (now out of business) is all inch bolts. the nuts holding the thing together are 9,5 mm, for which I have only 9 or 10 mm wrenches. Once someone overseas ran into this problem they might just buy Japanese or Korean or whatever in future. John Deere would have no idea why they sold one less Tractor. Mike Payne ----- Original Message ----- From:Jeremiah MacGregor I think in truth if Congress ever felt the world was rejecting US products simply because they were not metric, they would shut the borders to the import of products from other countries or force them to be made in English units if they ever want to sell them here or put extremely high tarifs on the products to make them unsellable here. I'll bet the world would cry uncle before the US does. Jerry ________________________________ From:" [email protected] " < [email protected] > To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 12:12:20 PM Subject: [USMA:43152] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package Rejection of exports from the US in a global trade war could make Congress more interested in metrication, to more completely promote global measurement standards (i.e. SI). This, of course, does concern the wealth of corporations and nations (money as you put it). ---- Original message ---- >Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:26:26 -0800 (PST) >From: Jeremiah MacGregor <[email protected]> >Subject: [USMA:43114] Re: Action: Economic Stimulus Package >To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> >Cc: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> >... > What other then money would make the US Congress interested in metric >conversion now if they haven't shown an interest in 200 years? >...
