Thread: Metric verses Imperial

OK islander, look in our LIBRARY.

I posted a list or two of just such conversions there.

like this there are ooodles of em "google "
some drill sizes do not have a spot on match and you need to go for fractional drills

If you've got a calculator handy just divide the metric size by 25.4 (25.4mm equals 1 inch).

Then again, you can use something like this:

inch/mm CONVERSION CHART

or this

Online conversion of weights and measures, measurement conversion.

Finding conversion charts is not difficult.
But that is not your real problem.
Pen drill sizes have been deliberately designed to make the user go slightly crazy. I call them 'weirdo drill bit sizes' and have ranted extensively on the pen forums about the conspiracy.
The sellers of pen kits make these weird sizes so the customer is forced to buy one of their special, and overpriced low quality, drills and spend more money.
You really cannot fight it. An oversized drill bit will give gaps and an oval pen.
The best solution is to buy a large set of drills, preferably on sale, and you should have every weirdo drill bit size they can think of at a low cost. In the U.S. there is an import company called Harbor Freight that sells these sets and are very popular.
BTW, when ordering kits, I always do so by telephone and ask the order taker if there are any updates on recommended drill sizes. They do not always get it right. Do not trust the catalog or web sites, ask.

Thank you very much. Will look it up.

Regards

Rog

Originally Posted by Islander

Hi all

I am wondering if there is a conversion table out there that gives conversion from metric sized drill bits to imperial sized drill bits and vice versa.

I am aware that the two differ minutely but being a metric guy and having grown up metric the imperial has me stumped or maybe I am just plain stupid or both.

I am hoping none of the above.

If somebody would have a conversion list of say from 7mm drill bit to 14mm drill bit to imperial that would be great. I feel silly always asking someone what is half inch and they say, hey Roger I gave you the conversion size two days ago.

Please help

To all of you who have replied I wish to thank you for your efforts. It seems as if I not only needed a knee replacement but also a brain replacement. Why did I not remmember the internet. Oh so easy and accessable. I have now printed out the chart.

Once again thank you very much

Rog

I have a simple way to solve this problem as the old grey matter is less reliable these days hehe, I use a digital caliper with a simple switch from decimal to metric and vice versa. I simply measure my tube then find the closest fit I can in drill sizes , I also have drill gauges in imperial and metric to test tube sizes and get the closest fit I can with either
A simple rule of thumb I use is 1 mm = .040 inches eg 10 mm = .400 for drill sizes that is close enough I think cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

I have a simple way to solve this problem as the old grey matter is less reliable these days hehe, I use a digital caliper with a simple switch from decimal to metric and vice versa. I simply measure my tube then find the closest fit I can in drill sizes , I also have drill gauges in imperial and metric to test tube sizes and get the closest fit I can with either
A simple rule of thumb I use is 1 mm = .040 inches eg 10 mm = .400 for drill sizes that is close enough I think cheers ~ John

Hi John

You talk about your grey matter. Mine surely needs a good service. I have a drill guage in the shed but forgot all about it. Stick the tube in what fits and you have it. I did look at digital calipers the other day but as money was a bit tight I thought I did not need them so urgently so bought other material so I can fix some stuff around the house. So instead of creating fun, I create work. I have now seen the error of my ways and will get a caliper in imperial and metric soonest. While I am out and about I will get a brain service too.

Many thanks for your grey matter nudges
Rog

Hi again Rog," Aldis" often have digital calipers for around the $20 dollar mark, in time they will become pretty essential as you go onto different aspects of the pen addiction ,sometimes you need to measure pen parts to match your blanks,especially between centre turning without bushes ,cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

Hi again Rog," Aldis" often have digital calipers for around the $20 dollar mark, in time they will become pretty essential as you go onto different aspects of the pen addiction ,sometimes you need to measure pen parts to match your blanks,especially between centre turning without bushes ,cheers ~ John

Hi John

Thanks for that info and I will show your point to my wife who thinks that I am just buying gear for the sake of having it like with fishing gear. They never understand that one needs different rods for different kinds of fishing yet we have to understand that wives need lots of handbage for different occasions. Gets to confusing for me. I will check out Auldi.

Regards

Rog

Just an update on calipers, a guy was selling metric/imperial digital calipers for $18 dollars today at Cleveland markets ,so look around and you may get a better price locally .cheers ~ John

Bought one of those from Aldi's a couple of years ago and still going strong. Can measure in metric or imperial.

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

Just an update on calipers, a guy was selling metric/imperial digital calipers for $18 dollars today at Cleveland markets ,so look around and you may get a better price locally .cheers ~ John

Thanks for that John. I will have to look in 2 weeks time as we are going to Mackay this and next week. That will be great as I will see my old mates at the woodturners club.

Cheers

Rog