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BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures
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Subject: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: lady penelope Date: 23 Jul 02 - 06:54 PM Can some one help me? I've been looking at a lot of American recipes and I'm having a bad time with the use of the term 'cup'. I understand it when it refers to a liquid, but I keep finding it being used for things like flour, vegetables etc. I 've looked at loads of sites for equivalent weights & measures, but none of refer to "cups' as a dry weight. Is there an approximate weight for a 'cup' or is it really that variable? Sort me out, you lot know everything! TTFN M'Lady P. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Big Mick Date: 23 Jul 02 - 07:04 PM Good day, m'Lady. A cup is a cup is a cup, whether being used for dry or wet measure. A cup is equal to 0.2365882 liters or 8 ounces, liquid (US). If you were to put 8 oz. of liquid in a cup, mark the side, pour out the liquid and then use that much dry, you would be fine. All the very best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Cookieless Squeak Date: 23 Jul 02 - 07:14 PM Why did you not ask me? I could have shown you a cup and we could have weighed it out together.... It's about 8oz (250g), on average, but it doesn't really matter as long as the same cup is used. If the recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, then don't be using a pint mug and a dolls teacup..... LTS whose cookie appears to have crumbled momentarily, it's what happens when you let the child play with the computer.....
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 23 Jul 02 - 07:29 PM Note that when measuring flour by volume it should always be freshly sifted flour. So that "one cup flour" really means "one cup sifted flour. Sift onto a separate surface, such as a sheet of waxed paper, and then lightly transfer (without packing) into the cup measure, and level off the top with a knife or spatula. If you don't sift, or pack the flour in the cup measure, you will have too much flour, and can get disastrous consequences. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Liz the Squeak Date: 23 Jul 02 - 07:39 PM But if you're me, you just shake it about a bit until it looks sort of even. Consistency is the thing.... as long as you remember to be consistent, it should be OK. I'm consistently reminded why I don't do baking any more. LTS who got her cookie back and has remembered what she was supposed to be doing tonight whilst child was destroying computer.... damn, damn. No bread for tomorrow now..... |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Gareth Date: 23 Jul 02 - 07:59 PM Just remember the US of A pint is smaller measure than the UK pint. No doubt encouraged by American Brewers. Gareth |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: IvanB Date: 23 Jul 02 - 08:24 PM DaveO, I never sift. But I always use a very scant cup when a cup of flour is called for. Never had any problems. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: JohnInKansas Date: 23 Jul 02 - 08:34 PM As used in the US for "dry stuff," the "cup" is a measure of volume. A working definition is that it's the volume occupied by a half-pound of water. Since the density of things varies widely, a "cup" of flour will be a much smaller weight than a cup of water - and a cup of "sifted flour" will be a smaller weight than a cup of "unsifted flour." A cup of whole-wheat will be a different weight than a cup of "refined" flour. While the common Euro practice of weighing things is significantly more "precise" than the US practice of measuring by volumes, most recipes are so inaccurate that precise measurement is somewhat over-rated. Since a recipe always calls for a "cup of something" a "density" is implied, and the conversion is built in - if you measure by volume. Most practiced cooks use handfulls, splashes, glugs, glurks, pinches, dashes, and sprinkles in their actual cooking (3 glurks is the amount you get when you tip up a small bottle until it goes "glurk - glurk - glurk." A glug is the corresponding measure for a large jug.) A few recipe books - mainly those for special diets - give conversions between volume and weight, but the conversion depends on the specific thing being measured. John |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 23 Jul 02 - 08:41 PM there is sume goood recips at the Annexe, i am to pissed to make a link but i think it is www.the annexe.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: JohnInKansas Date: 23 Jul 02 - 09:32 PM Maybe this will work: BERNARD CLAYTON'S NEW COMPLETE BOOK OF BREADS, Bernard Clayton Jr, Fireside Books, Simon and Schuster, 1995, ISBN 0-684-81174-X COMPARATIVE U.S., BRITISH AND METRIC WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FOR INGREDIENTS IMPORTANT TO PASTRY MAKERS INGREDIENT UNITED STATES BRITISH METRIC John |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Big Mick Date: 24 Jul 02 - 01:46 AM Doncha jes love this place? Where the hell do folks come up with this stuff? And have you noticed that most of the responders are men? All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: JohnInKansas Date: 24 Jul 02 - 03:03 AM Men are better cooks! ducking and running for cover .... John |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Nigel Parsons Date: 24 Jul 02 - 07:50 AM Of course, The UK Pint is 20 fluid ounces (volume), which in the case of water is 20 ounces (weight). Easily remembered "A pint of water Is a pound and a quarter" (i.e 16ounces + 4 ounces) Thus if a cup is 8 fluid ounces, for water it is half a pound.
For those who still think in old measures, a 'Bottle' of scotch or other spirits used to contain 26+2/3 fluid ounces. Whilst this appeared a strange measure, it was One and a third pints, a standard measure (a single) was 1/6th of a gill (a gill being a 1/4 of a pint) Meaning that a bottle held exactly 32 measures. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Snuffy Date: 24 Jul 02 - 09:27 AM 26.2/3 oz is a sixth of a gallon. A UK gallon is 10 pounds (weight), 8 pints or six bottles WassaiL! V |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: lady penelope Date: 24 Jul 02 - 02:13 PM See, I knew if I asked you lot I'd get answer. Bless you! Thanks for all the help, I now have a much better idea of how to go about grastronomic translation... Big Mick, yeah I noticed there was a lot more men than women. I think it's part of the "Specifications" thing. Men always seem to know the minutae of machinery and stuff. But this always seems to clash with "refuse to read the manual until it all goes horribly wrong" syndrome. ***G*** Cheers guys. TTFN M'Lady P.
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: KateG Date: 24 Jul 02 - 11:04 PM If I remember correctly, in the old days (pre American Revolution) the fluid pint and the pound both had 16 oz, and were based on the measurement of water -- "a pint's a pound the world around." In the early 19th century, the Brits adopted a 20 oz pint as part of the Imperial system, while the Yanks retained the old 16 oz one. As a result there are five US quarts to a UK gallon (but the standard 4 to a US gallon -- I'm to tired to do the math, but it works), which gives us the fifth as a measure for certain spiritous fluids. The difference also means that a liter is about half way between a US and a UK quart...so Americans are less upset by liter containers, cause they're bigger, where the Brits feel shortchanged. An American cup hold 8 fluid ounces, but in cooking is used as a measure of volume for virtually everything. Measuring by volume was introduced by Fannie Farmer as a way of standardizing recipes, even in kitchens with minimal equipment. And it works...I once made brownies in Norway with no measuring equipment but a big spoon. US volumetric measurements put two tablespoons to the ounce, so I worked everything out on that basis. For the oven temp conversion, I just asked my housemates what was the temp they bunged everything in at, figuring it had to be about the same as the American 350 degrees F. They came out fine. KateG |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Sorcha Date: 24 Jul 02 - 11:29 PM John, I actually agree with you that men who want to cook are better cooks! The first time I make a recipe I go by the "book" with the measurements; after that I tend to "fix" it.......and do the glop/gurgle/glob thing. My refinements almost always improve the original but I have run across several that can't be improved on. If you want to know how I make enchiladas, the only way is to watch. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: JohnInKansas Date: 25 Jul 02 - 03:18 AM The discussion of the differences in US and Brit measures recalls the "trading post scales" that were common in the more primitive days of the US. When you sold something to the trading post, they used one set of weights on the scale, or one particular "bucket" for volumes. When you bought something, they used a different set of weights and a different bucket. The "buying" measure was always larger than the "selling" measure - usually on the order of 20 percent or so - which seems to be about the difference between the "standardized" US and British pints and such. Does this mean that the Brits are more inclined to "buy anything" than they are to have something to sell? ...running agin.... John |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Joe Offer Date: 29 Oct 10 - 07:20 PM Now, it's my understanding that here in the US, we use the "English System of Measurement" and I was under the impression that the UK was metric. I've been watching the wonderful BBC "Coast" television series, and they use non-metric terms like "miles" and "feet" and such. What's the practice? What are the units of measurement that are used in the UK? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Jack Campin Date: 29 Oct 10 - 07:35 PM Most things in commerce are metric these days. Things that aren't: geographic distances, linear and mass measurements of people, and lengths and areas of dwellings in real estate listings. I have actually heard somebody ask for a forpit of potatoes once. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 29 Oct 10 - 08:34 PM Parliament adopted the metric system in most things years ago. There is a stubborn resistance by many ordinary people to using it where they have the option. So both systems tend to be use, sometimes at the same time - you'll find wood or cloth measured in inches across and centimeters longwise. Basic life rule is when measuring up in advance with a view to buying something, do it metric and non-metric, because otherwise it'll be when you find what you might want it will be measured up in the system you haven't used. I find metric measurements severely inconvenient. My body knows what an inch and a foot and yards are - I've got thumbs and two feet and can take paces. I don't have a handy meesure for metrics. But we're stuck with them. I hope the Americans hold out. You metricised your money before anyone else did - and then it at that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 29 Oct 10 - 09:17 PM Get in the game. It's a better game. 12 inches? 5280 feet? And so on... what a piece of crap! SI is just so much easier. Why can't we just let this outdated and confusing crap fall by the wayside?... as MOST of the world has done, many years ago... even Canada. Water freezes solid at zero degrees. What's so hard to understand? |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 29 Oct 10 - 11:18 PM I think some like me in the UK live in a state of confusion Joe. I could put litres of petrol in the car that does miles per gallon. I do see a freezing day as 0C but a warm day might be 70F Personally, I think we should have fully adopted SI years ago. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 29 Oct 10 - 11:30 PM And gnu, I don't think it's hard to understand but hard for some of us to picture if you can see the difference. Should never have been that way with me. I was in primary school when we decimalised coinage. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:14 AM 5280 feet? Not a figure I've ever thought about. That's be 1760 yards multiplied by three I suppose - but who ever did that? But in any case miles are made up of half-miles and quarter miles and convenient stuff like that. As for feet, I've got two of them, and they're each more or less one foot long, which is convenient when it comes to working out the rough length of say a piece of furniture. Metric units weren't made up by people who were used to working with their hands. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Monique Date: 30 Oct 10 - 07:52 AM I think it's less about people working in their hands than what we grew up with and how we learned to "measure the world". Everybody knows how long/wide/heavy etc things are in his/her own system and finds convenient ways to measure anything -when I spread my hand I know it's more or less 20cm from the tip of my thumb to the tip of my middle finger and I can measure anything by hand; also, we know X is more or less 6 feet (1.80m) tall because he's about as tall as Y who we know he is and not because we actually measured him. We also have mental images of what our measurement units are. To illustrate it's not about metric but about what we compare things to, how we comprehend measurements in the first place and how we experience them in real life, francs went in metric and euros do too and I can't help converting euros in francs if I want to know how much things are actually worth. For big amounts, I need to add two zero's to get the amount in cents so I know a house is worth so many millions cts and then I feel how much it is. Besides, we all share years, days, hours etc (not easy stuff to calculate quickly either!). Don't we all feel younger than what we actually are? Wouldn't it be because we buit our own inner scale of what a life time is and what people look like at 20, 30, 40 etc we were young and so older people looked much older, and now we don't feel we are like those "old" people we kept in mind? Metric is muuuuuuuuuuch easier to deal with because it's in base 10 and it's all about adding or removing 0's at the end of a figure or adding, removing or moving a point or a comma depending on your standard. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:22 PM Ten isn't such a convenient numberif you want a third or a quarter. Twelve is. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: ChanteyLass Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:24 PM Lady Penelope, the best thing might be to get a set of measuring cups and measuring spoons from the US. Then you wouldn't need to worry about conversions. If you have a friend here, maybe that person could send them to you. At stores they are available in a variety of prices so they needn't be a big expense for your friend. They are also available online, but most websites I looked at have fairly high prices. I recommend getting a set of measuring spoons (1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon), a set of measuring cups for solids (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup), and a 2-cup transparent measuring cup for liquids. It will indicate measurements for less than 2 cups, including fractions of a cup. The reason for having different cups for solids and liquids is that in a clear liquid cup you can easily check the volume by placing the cup on a level surface, but with solids you first fill the cup and then slide the edge of a knife or spatula across the top to remove any excess. In the US most of the liquid measuring cups have US measuring marks on one side and metric marks on the other. If this is true in the UK, too, you might not need one. When the US was thinking of "going metric," lots of people got all upset. I told them they could hang on to their old cookbooks and measuring devices, get new cookbooks and measuring devices, or do both.That's much easier than doing conversions. If you need to convert things, including a stick of butter and oven temperatures, this website might help: http://www.onlineconversion.com/cooking.htm |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:42 PM Metric units weren't made up by people who were used to working with their hands. I suspect they were at least in using base 10. Ten isn't such a convenient numberif you want a third or a quarter. Twelve is. Would an extra digit per hand have led us to base 12? |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Bill D Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:49 PM for Windows: ESB Unit Converter everything you'd ever need to convert. It won't help understand 'why' it's so different in various countries, but still useful. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 02:01 PM Well, I have a compact manual hand held linear Imperial-Metric conversion device that I clip on my belt. At uni I discovered that being bi-system was all the rage and I can swing both ways depending on who is in the room. No shit... one day, I saw a carpenter working out the equivalent of 1200mm to Imperial with a calculator and then using his tape measure to mark a cut... it was the same as my tape measure which I described above, having feets on one side and metres (yes, metREs) on t'other. What really pisses me off is when I purchase lumber and find out it was milled in the US. A dressed US 2X4 is not the same size as a CDN 2X4 and it's nowt to do with the measurement systems. I learned long ago that my drawings had to spec the sizes of components and not ANY overall dimensions, even before "free trade". |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies) Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:01 PM As a child at school, I was taught in Metric. At home when I baked with my Nan (for example) I used Imperial. On being raised simultaniously with both I can easily use both, but prefer Imperial because I find it easier to think in. I find 175grams harden to approximate than 7oz say. I find there are too many tiny numbers in Metric. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Nigel Parsons Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:15 PM Water freezes solid at zero degrees. What's so hard to understand? Strange, that's the same temperature (in degrees centigrade) at which ice melts. It's also the temperature (in degrees celsius) at which water boils. What a confusing world this is! |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:30 PM Water may freeze or melt at 0C depending upon the deletion or addition of energy. Sommat about how much your jewels are shaking. Water "boils" or liquifies at 100C in similar fashion. Depends on how steamed your jewels are. ERG! |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:35 PM I am with Mcgrath on this. Canada adopted the metric system, to the continuing confusion of anyone not brought up in the system. Stores here in Calgary conveniently have scales that weigh by the pound, so I know how much I am getting when I buy fruits, etc. sold in bulk. I can look across the countryside from an elevation, and know how roughly how far away an object is in fractions of a mile. I have no mental image of the distance in metric measurement. In research work during my working career, I used both systems, and some not mentioned here, using handy-dandy conversions, but I did not have to take both home with me. Like the U.S., Canada was surveyed in the English system, so all land boundaries are in English whole numbers; when metric is applied, fractional measurements appear. My home lot is 75 feet wide; this is 23.416666 meters (metres). [I think- I may be using my pocket calculator incorrectly]. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Nigel Parsons Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:49 PM I wanted a single 1 inch 'socket' for my socket set the other day. The only place that sold these locally was halfords (a car & bike shop). Unless I bought a full set I could only buy metric sizes. I ended up with a 27mm socket which did the job (releasing bolts on a line post where the washing line had snapped). Despite Halfords only selling single sockets in metric sizes, in every case they were marked for use with a 1/2 inch drive shaft! |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:03 PM Mechanics must have both English and metric tools- plus some that are based on other systems. Not cheap. Using a socket or wrench (spanner) that is a little off can damage bolt heads. (Lets see, 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters, approximately) |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:10 PM Yeah, I hate that too. Especially since the plastic boxes for my sets are worn out and I keep them in plastic bags. It;s a stroke of luck when I can pick out the right one first of and that is 50% of the time. Even if you have a NA made piece of machinery. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:10 PM OT and not local but maybe here Nigel. Got a Britool 1/4 drive set from there that is nice - af and metric (ok metric is 1/4 drive) and screwdriver with bits at a very good price. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:12 PM Speaking of tools, I wouldn't care what system was used if somehow we could all use Robertson screw heads. Standard and Philips are a pain in the ass. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:18 PM Hmm, gnu screw types I like the look of torx and have tools that can work with it but pozi #2 is our (we for bits and bobs at home and general) household screw head. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:38 PM Screw threads- lots of fun here Metric Iso English Whitworth Society (Whitworth var. for microscope objectives) Unified UTS British Microscopical Society Lowenhertz Aerospace metric Fahrradgewinde (a German standard bicycle thread) CEI (Cycle Engineers Institute) Hose coupling threads (various) Etc. And others now dropped but needed in old machinery, motorcars, etc. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:52 PM This is drift, but someone might have a suggestion - I've lost the bolt that is supposed to screw into a hole on a lawn mower. Any way of identifying what's the right thread I should be looking for in a replacement? |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: Joe Offer Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:58 PM Hi, Kevin- I'd use a drill bit. Find the size of a bit that fits into the hole. Your bolt may be one size up, but maybe not. Then you have to determine whether it's fine or coarse thread - you have to eyeball that, though. I used to be able to "eyeball" sizes quite well, but I've lost that ability in my old age. Fine threads are often called "machine threads" in the US, and you'll often find fine threads in holes that are "machined" into blocks of metal like engine blocks and the like. Coarse threads are more common, and are usually (not always) found on nut-and-bold combinations. I'm still not clear on what's used for weights and measures in England. Am I correct that the metric system is the legal standard now, or are there aspects of British measure that are still official? What now-unofficial terms are still in common usage? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 07:02 PM Jon... yup... "Robertson screwdrivers are easy to use one-handed, since the tapered socket retains the screw, even if it is shaken. They also allow for the use of angled screw drivers and trim head screws. The socket-headed Robertson screws are self-centering, reduce cam out, stop a power tool when set, and can be removed if painted-over or old and rusty. In industry, they speed up production and reduce product damage." There sould be none other allowed. McGrath... no way for sure I know of but I hope you make out okay with that annoying problem. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Oct 10 - 07:05 PM MOH, there are thread guages Also micrometers but Joe#s way may be best for you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 07:54 PM Joe and Jon... yes. Good idea on the use of bits, Joe. Never thought of that. I'da just eyeballed it and bought a few "close ones" if I couldn't find one in my tickle trunk... which is getting harder to do those days, as Joe cited. One other "source" might be a website for parts info. Or a manual at a shop that sells that brand of lawnmower. Good luck with it. It's always a consternation dealing with such. |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:22 PM Sorry, missed other question Joe. I think legally there are products that can use Imperial but we are metric. Road signs are in miles... And if you are confused... Think why I may be confused... |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: GUEST,Jon Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:29 PM You want to get more confused btw, go for this |
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Subject: RE: BS: U.S. - U.K. Weights & Measures From: gnu Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:30 PM The only "allowable" Imperial measures here are food sales but they are advertised and the sale signs in the shops are in both systems (with the metric being in small print). The labels on the individual packages are in metric only on most goods. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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". |
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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. |
