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this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2026
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Asklemmy
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Yeah you make a proper point; most of the stuff the hardware I work with is metric, the wiring is awg, and the temps are Fahrenheit. Honestly other than a 1/4" wrench and 3/8" spark plug socket, I don't remember the last time I used any of my anything out of my box wrench sets. They basically are wall ornaments that collect dust. Same with range, I would just use meters since they're close enough. You know like, target out 300 meters leading left.
We bend raw copper and aluminum busbars at work for manufacturing industrial electrical systems. All standard hardware. Plus whatever else goes into it like insulated supports, polyballs, mounting hardware of components on panels, etc. So I'm probably one of the rare exceptions that use SAE more than metric, especially how pretty much every car (even American made ones) use metric now. Other than maybe changing a bolt for an old lawnmower or something, yeah I get why it's not really used much anymore.
Yeah I think an old Briggs and Stratton engine was the only time time I remember using SAE. I mean I still use SAE [Tap] die sets but the irony is the nut outer is metric.
It's funny how often I have to repeat myself; as in you need 3/8 brass pipe or 1/2 brass pipe, no not 3/8 compression or flared. I work on high end espresso machines these days, like 20-40k ones.
3/8 is such a cursed measurement lol. Like this 3/8 wrench fits a #10 hex head screw. No it doesn't fit 3/8 hardware. You want 9/16 for that. Oh 9/16 hardware? You can use either 7/8 or 13/16. Or just grab a metric wrench that's close enough like a 7/16 is the same thing as an 11mm or 3/4 is the same as 19mm. Not gonna lie at certain point it's just memorizing shit and pattern recognition
3/8 is such a cursed measurement lol yes. lol.
And yeah, I think it's easier to remember not fractions. I can't say that I don't have some shims...