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why is the US not Metric
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tooki:
I don't get the impression that McMaster-Carr sells much outside of USA, as evidenced by their lack of any international websites at all, and absolutely barebones international shipping info. (Contrast that with Mouser, Digi-Key, etc.) So no, I don't think they sell different stuff to metric countries. People buying metric will be buying from their local equivalents, not from McM-C.
donkey77:
Just had an example today. My dad called up, having an issue with the new waste disposal unit he was trying to fit to his kitchen sink. He'd bought it from Screwfix, a big chain of tool/diy stores in the UK, but couldn't get his waste pipe to fit. I looked up the model, which is made in the states, and their website states it needs a 1 1/2 inch waste pipe. I looked at all the main material suppliers that are open on Sunday's and they do 40mm pipe, the standard here. Unfortunately this doesn't fit as it needs to be 38.1 mm. Apparently you can get inch and a half pipe but from specialist suppliers, the type the trade use and not open weekend's. I've no problem with different units of measurement but surprised if the part is destined for a metric country (and for bfsee's info we are far from completely metric here) that the fitting for the waste pipe, which is separately screwed to the main body, would be for 40mm.
CatalinaWOW:

--- Quote from: donkey77 on December 01, 2019, 10:21:09 pm ---Just had an example today. My dad called up, having an issue with the new waste disposal unit he was trying to fit to his kitchen sink. He'd bought it from Screwfix, a big chain of tool/diy stores in the UK, but couldn't get his waste pipe to fit. I looked up the model, which is made in the states, and their website states it needs a 1 1/2 inch waste pipe. I looked at all the main material suppliers that are open on Sunday's and they do 40mm pipe, the standard here. Unfortunately this doesn't fit as it needs to be 38.1 mm. Apparently you can get inch and a half pipe but from specialist suppliers, the type the trade use and not open weekend's. I've no problem with different units of measurement but surprised if the part is destined for a metric country (and for bfsee's info we are far from completely metric here) that the fitting for the waste pipe, which is separately screwed to the main body, would be for 40mm.

--- End quote ---

I'm surprised too, but everyone makes mistakes from time to time.  Transitions are always painful, in spite of what bfees thinks.  Your tradesman suppliers may carry 1 1/2 in pipe, and I am sure they did for a while.  They may also have reached the point where they only carry adapters which leads to a different kind of pain since there isn't always room to make the transitions.
KL27x:
It's surprising that US makes this stuff to export to UK, lol. Sure it isn't made in China for US company?


--- Quote --- I've no problem with different units of measurement but surprised if the part is destined for a metric country
--- End quote ---
Screwfix probably carries it for a reason?  :-// Maybe there's still a demand for these for older homes, or such? And perhaps some people buy this model by mistake. Perhaps helped by the typical store employee? +1 to CatalinaWOW, this is just one of many things to look forward to for 80+ years after a forced transition. Maybe the UK could have just switched from 1 1/2" pipe to 38mm pipe?  :)

Aside: I find it pretty amazing that some teenagers in UK don't know what lbs or inches are, anymore. I would think they still teach this in school and still have inches and lbs on rulers and scales along with the metric.

Tooki, cool thing about Sweden's transition from Left to Right? Swedes were apparently already driving RHD cars with the steering wheel on the left side, close to 90%. And even then they still didn't want to change to driving on the right hand side.
tooki:
Yep, weird huh? :p

I wonder if their collision patterns were any different, with the drivers by the curb side instead of the center side of the road?
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