Metric to imperial

gary3029

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22 Jul 2005
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I have been lucky enough to get a myford lathe and milling machine for it. I have played around with it and made a few items for the boat which has been very satisfying and cheaper!! For tthe winter I am planning on doing something more constructive with it. I have bought the book, Building Simple Model Steam Engines by Tubal Cain. This book is aimed at the beginner on the lathe, but that is were the problem is and hopefully someone can help. I am of an age where 1/16" and 9/32" mean nothing to me, I am a metric man!! Does anyone know of any good sites/books where I can take a crash course in 'old money'!! I am sure my lathe work will take on a new meaning if I can crasp the concept of 3/16".
 

jhughes

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Get yourself a cheap digital vernier guage (8.99 in Aldi) and use the imperial/metric button to convert. Also get yourself a Zeus pocket book, full of conversions and tapping drill sizes.
Also on the side of imperial micrometers they usually have fractions to decimal conversions engraved. e.g. 3/16" = 0.1875"
 

bobmay

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Go a good tool shop and buy yourself a 'Zeus' book. It has all you will ever need, Conversions, drill sizes, trig formula, bend allowances, and lots more. I have never been without one for 30 years. It is pocket size, last one I bought cost £1 but probably 2 or 3 now.
 

Spuddy

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Zeus booklet is indispensable. Decide whether you are going to operate in metric or Imperial - no point in having dual lots of drills, taps and dies, machine screws and so on. I opted for metric and found it no prob in doing similar stuff.
 

VicS

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[ QUOTE ]
'Zeus' book.

[/ QUOTE ] Yes and it is refered to as the Zeus book rather than pocket book.

Mine must have been my Fathers as it is dated 1965 but still the same cover:
924.jpg
Its a fiver now.

Several others similar and probably given away free. I've got something similar from "Intal" and a more recent offering from Presto Tools
 
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