metric hardware, We need to get our heads out of our butts... Options

[VaccaRabite]

Nearly everything that I own uses metric hardware.
It is rare that I come across stuff using Standard.
Not just cars. But guns, toys, electronics, hunting blinds, my ATV, work out equipment.
Basically everything I own.

So, WHY THE F*&K is it such a F*&KING CHORE to find metric hardware and tools.

My hardware stores with the good metric selection - gone. Owner Retired. Every other hardware store in the area, tractor supply, whatever. Screw them. They have maybe a drawer with a very limited and usually SOLD OUT selection. Fastenall? Yeah they don't service walk in any more. Have to call and order and get it delivered a day or so later even though they are just up the road.

Why are we so DAMN BACKWARDS in this country. There is more stuff using metric then "standard." So why can't metric get equal space?

I want to support local stores. But what's the point if you can't find the stuff that you need. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bs.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif)

[Montreal914]

I really had a good laugh when I was looking at aircraft (Airbus) documentation and saw mentionned 6.35mm bolts... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

I thought for sure Airbus being a French company would have no clue as to what a 1/4"-20 bolt would be and they don't, that is why they call it a 6.35mm fastener, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) but apparently airplanes are using imperial system, even a large company like Airbus. Now, are the imperial fasteners everywhere on the plane or is there actually a mixture of metric and imperial, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) that I do not know...

For those who do not convert metric/imperial all day, 6.35mm = 1/4" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

...But yes, when will the US ever switch to metric? I am not seeing that day ever happening. Canada switch to the metric system in the early 70s. That being said, just like there are two official languages in Canada, French and English, there are two non-official types of units, metric and imperial. Here is how it cohabitate in real day life, the non-official way...

School ruler: 30cm (fully used)
School paper format: 8 1/2" x 11" (I guess A4 paper could be used, but importing binders from China for A4 isn't economically viable)
Road speed: km/h (people have fully converted)
Weather temperature: Celcius (people have fully converted)
Cooking temperature: Fahrenheit (old habit, familty receipe's transfer from generations...)
Height/weight: Pretty much foot/inch and lbs.
Pool/spa temperature: Farenheit
Anything construction/architecture related: imperial (lumber related due to US market)
Snow fall accumulation: Mixture between cm and inches.

Everything you will hear on television shared with the public will be in metric (weather reports, news, others). Cooking shows, mmmm... yeah the good old 350F gets thrown in there...

Lucky for us, we enjoy playing with 914s and enjoy that 13mm socket! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

What I have a difficult time with are the makers of new/improved aftermarket components that are not using metric fasteners. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) I will not buy those...

Another thing I have always wondered. Is the denomination of the 911 3" and 3.5" struts really accurate? Are the ATE (German Co.) calipers really 3" and 3.5" bolt C/C?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Or are they somethimng more logical such as 76mm and 90mm? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)