Thread: Buffet plans

Hi Peter
I agree with metric being easier, but most of the American plans are in imperial.
I get around this by converting the measurements on a spread sheet, it doesnt take long once you put in the formula.
There are too many good plans in imperial to pass up.
Cheers, Allan

How do ypu insert fractions in a spreadsheet?

Hi
I use MS Exel, right click on the column header, >format cells, >number, >fraction.
Last time I did it though, I just broke down the imperial into
percentages.
Most plans are in increments of 1/8", so I devided 1"/ 8 =0.125

So 2 1/4"= 2.25" (1"=25.4mm).

If the piece is 2.25", X 25.4mm = 57.15mm.
You have to use some judgement as to the out come, I would make the piece 57mm.

Once the formula is inserted into the cell, all you have to do is fill down.
I can email you my last work sheet if you want, it might make life a bit easier.
If you want it, just email me.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Allan

I have a very small (568Kb) conversion program (called Convert) that converts just about any measurement etc you want to be converted, to whatever you want it converted to. (If that makes sense)

If you or anyone else would like it, send me a PM with your email address and I will email it to you.

Thanx very much for the offers fellas,. ithink I might hold off worrying about conversions until I find that I REALLY need to....... Surely our British cousins can be relied on to have some quality plans. I'll let you know!

G'day Peter - This may sound a bit condescending but believe me it really isn't meant to.

Why not just use the imperial part of your tape measure or ruler. Most have both Imperial and Metric, the timber sizes are pretty much standard and really haven't changed since metric came into play. 12" x 1" is still 12" x 1" it is just called 300 x 25 and 12 x 1 never was 12 x 1 it was always over or under etc. Most timber yards that I deal with still sell by the super foot as well as the cubic meter, etc.

Besides all that, you will probably modify any plans a little to suit your needs as the likelihood of finding one the exact size is pretty slim. This being the case you can make your own sizes as you go.

Don't complicate your life any more than it already is by looking for the hard answers, go for the easiest ones, often ther are right before your eyes.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil

PS Why spend a week trying to figure out how to use Excel when you could be in the shed making your project.