BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 12:12 PM

With the exception of Beer Lager & Cider for which the standard pub measure is still (legally) a pint, or multiples/fractions thereof.

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 02:13 PM

To find the replacement for a missing bolt:

Most machinery will use a consistent standard for all the fasteners. If one is inch standard (in the US that's generally called an SAE bolt) they all will be. If one is metric they all will be.

Find another bolt on the same machine that looks like about the right size. Remove it, and try to screw it into the hole where the missing bolt was. If it goes in snugly (at least two or three turns) take the bolt to the hardware shop.

At the hardware shop, find a nut that the bolt screws into. Buy a matching bolt (thread size) that goes into the nut you found but with an appropriate head for the missing bolt location and with your estimated correct length. (And as a courtesy to other customers, be absolutely certain that you put the nut back in exactly the same bin it came out of at the hardware shop.)

Take both bolts home and put them back on the machine.

Before tripping to the hardware shop, it's also helpful to look carefully at the "hole" where the bolt is missing. If the entry to the hole is "chamfered" you need a screw/bolt with a "flat head." (It's the chamfer that's important, and flat, crowned, truss, etc varieties of countersunk heads may be found and are usually interchangeable.)

If there's a "circle" around the hole where the bolt is missing, deliberate or from wear, you probably need a washer. If there are little "peck marks" or another similar "scab" you may want a lock washer.

If the hole has a bottom in it, it may be important that the length of the replacement screw be "not too long," but if the thread goes all the way through it usually is necessary only that the replacement be "long enough," although "bolts" are threaded only at the end, so one too long may run unthreaded bolt into the threaded hole and damage the thread in the hole. Being "close" to the right length is of some importance, but "exact" isn't usually critical.

Machine "Screws" are threaded all the way but are generally lower strength in the kinds found at the local hardware. They may be called "stove bolts" in the US, and generally shouldn't be used for anything that shakes, rattles, or makes noises in use without good reason. The distinction between "screws" vs "bolts" is rather vague though (even in the official "standards"). and it's not too important what the seller calls them.

John

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 03:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Joe's idea with the drill bit is a good one, and I'll probably use it - but the real problem is determining the thread, and an ordinary thread gauge is no good for doing that with a hole. And there don't seem to be any similar screws or bolts on the lawnmower.

One idea I've thought of would be to screw into the hole a rod made of some substance that would take an impression, so then I could unscrew it and measure the thread. Maybe wood or plastic...

.............

Officially just about everything (aside from time, pints of beer, and speed limits on the road) is supposed to be supposed to be metric in the UK these days. But in practice both systems co-exist. I suppose as the older generations die off the old measurements will as well - though it might take longer than they think. For example I've never heard young people talking about their weight use anything but pounds and stones.

Next thing up, I suppose, is trying to make us drive on the wrong side of the road.

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 03:37 PM

Beer is officially sold in pints, but as the glasses are brim measure, you're lucky if you get half a litre in them. At home, a 500cl bottle fits nicely in a pint glass if I pour carefully!

And the last time I bought loose potatoes I bought a forpit (a quarter of a stone). It was such a convenient size if you're cooking for a family.

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: Penny S.
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 04:00 PM

Milk is still available in pints and multiples of pints. And also in metric - needs checking as bottles in both systems may be next door to each other in the shop.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: MarkS
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 05:48 PM

Wrenches which do not fit correctly are not only hard on the bolts, they can be really hard on your knuckles. Always use the right size, or keep several pints of your favorite beer on hand.
Won't numb the pain, but enough can take away that "stupid" feeling.

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: gnu
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 05:54 PM

Just don't drink the pints "before".

Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 06:00 PM

Or you could try several litres of beer. Metric measures can be OK at times.