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Discussion Forum

I hate metric hose clamps.

Mike_Mahan | Posted in General Discussion on October 20, 2013 06:55am

More and more imported stuff comes with metric hose clamps. What difference you might ask since they tighten over a continuous range? It’s not the hose size, It’s the nut size. Neither a red nor a yellow nut driver fits the darn things. I just installed a tankless water heater. The US vent kit took a yellow driver. The nut on the heater clamp was European and involved another trip out of the crawl space, down to the yard, across the yard and up two flights of stairs to the truck. Then back down. Just for one nut.

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Replies

  1. DanH | Oct 20, 2013 07:31pm | #1

    I just reach into my bike toolbag.

  2. User avater
    MarkH | Oct 20, 2013 07:52pm | #2

    I hate everything damn it!

    I hate everything, damn it!

    1. DanH | Oct 20, 2013 08:03pm | #3

      That explains why you hang around here.

      1. User avater
        MarkH | Oct 20, 2013 10:07pm | #4

        I knew there had to be some reason.

  3. Hokuto | Oct 27, 2013 12:55pm | #5

    Just give in to the dark side. Metric is the future, and the future is us.

    I've lived in Japan for 35 years and couldn't imagine going back to Imperial. Working with decimals is sooo much easier. Of course, the Japanese have their own parochial system of measurements (sun, shaku, ken, etc.), but their use is mostly restricted to carpenters, and SFAICS they're on their way out.  I just hope they take the Imperial system with them.

    1. User avater
      Mike_Mahan | Oct 27, 2013 03:20pm | #6

      My argument against the hose clamps is not an argument against the metric system.

      My argument against the metric system is that working with decimals often involves division. I can't do division in my head; I need a calculator or paper and pencil.  Working with fractions involves multiplication, addition and subtraction of intigers. I can do that in my head.

      1. calvin | Oct 27, 2013 08:41pm | #7

        Mike

        If you can multiply,

        you can divide.

      2. DanH | Oct 27, 2013 09:50pm | #8

        Have you ever tried to divide feet/inches by 3 or 5?  Metric is MUCH simpler.

        1. User avater
          Mike_Mahan | Oct 28, 2013 09:39am | #9

          Give me a problem....

          Give me a measurement in feet and inches (less than 100 feet and fractions no smaller than 1/8 if you want ). Tell me what you want to divide it by (an intiger less than 12). And I'll show you how I can do it in my head. No paper, no calculator, no long division. I'll be within 1/8".

          1. DanH | Oct 28, 2013 05:57pm | #10

            74' 6-1/8" divided by 9.

            74' 6-1/8" divided by 9.

          2. User avater
            Mike_Mahan | Oct 28, 2013 07:22pm | #11

            74' dividided by nine is 8' with a 2' remainder. 2' = 24'" + 6" = 30". 30" divided by nine is 3-3/9 " or aprox 3-3/8". 1/8" divided by nine is small enough to ignore.   The answer is 8' 3-3/8".

            Now divide 22.708 meters by nine.

          3. DanH | Oct 28, 2013 08:23pm | #12

            Actually, it's 22.711, and that's 2, leaving 4, then 5, leaving 2, then 2, leaving 3, then 3, leaving 4 -- 2.523.

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