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View Poll Results: Metric or SAE
Metric 42 72.41%
SAE 5 8.62%
Both 11 18.97%
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Thread: Metric or SAE?

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Old 04-30-2009, 09:02 PM   #1
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Default Metric or SAE?

What do you use? Metric or SAE. Any advantages to one or the other? What do you guys use to measure links and screws other than a caliper. I have been using a 30ft measuring tape. Its a little awkward and a not very accurate. Theres gotta be a better way so lets hear it.
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Old 04-30-2009, 09:04 PM   #2
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I started using metric a couple years ago. It just seems easier to work with.

For loose stuff like bolts, rod, i use either a 12" ruler, or 6" rule... but alot of times i use my calipers.

Last edited by PEDEcrawlerguy; 04-30-2009 at 09:07 PM.
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Old 04-30-2009, 09:07 PM   #3
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Once you get used to the metric system, its so much easier than SAE.

Though on really big things I'll revert to SAE, but 90% of the time its metric for me, no matter what I'm doing.

I usually use digital calipers for bolts and screws.
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Old 04-30-2009, 09:10 PM   #4
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Metric FTW
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Old 04-30-2009, 09:18 PM   #5
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Been in r/c for years have been using both since the start. Some kits are metric some sae. Never seen a advantage or disadvantage to either one.
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Old 04-30-2009, 10:12 PM   #6
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4-40 threads are a little coarser and deeper than 3mm, so it seems to grab plastic a little bit better, but I don't really have problems with 3mm. The reason I use 3mm is because 4-40 pan head screws use tiny little allen wrenches that strip out easily. The 3mm screws are noticeably better in that department. Allthread is easier to find in SAE around here so there's that.
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Old 04-30-2009, 10:14 PM   #7
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Both, since I Have a Honda Motorcycle I have lots of metric tools and measuring devices...also have a Ford truck..so have lots of SAE stuff. I use what ever is standardized on what I am working on....but sadly metric is easier once you get use to it...still have to revert to SAE in figuring out how long something is...like 125mm have no idea..but you tell me its 3 3/8"...I can grasp that.....and no I am not telling you that 125mm is 3 3/8"


good question.
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Old 04-30-2009, 10:38 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by squatch71 View Post
Both, since I Have a Honda Motorcycle I have lots of metric tools and measuring devices...also have a Ford truck..so have lots of SAE stuff. I use what ever is standardized on what I am working on....but sadly metric is easier once you get use to it...still have to revert to SAE in figuring out how long something is...like 125mm have no idea..but you tell me its 3 3/8"...I can grasp that.....and no I am not telling you that 125mm is 3 3/8"


good question.
I know what you mean. I use online converter for metric to SAE as I am lost by metric. 1/32, I can grasp that, its a C*** hair in the carpentry world. Dont know what that would be in metric.
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Old 04-30-2009, 10:44 PM   #9
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Metric, it's base 10, our numerical system is base 10, we have 10 fingers and toes. the band Metric is pretty good I suppose

converter for units of measurement...
http://www.towerhobbies.com/help/convcalcs.html

as far as temperature, water freezes at 0 and boils at 100 degrees centigrade makes sense to me.
cheers
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Old 04-30-2009, 10:54 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 53 willys View Post
Metric FTW
x2!!!
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Old 04-30-2009, 11:02 PM   #11
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I use standard for measuring stuff around the house but always use metric in the RC world and at work (I'm an engineer for a Swiss company). Metric is easy for me casue that's all I know from school and work plus almost all RC is metric except Associated.

When someone at work says "its like 10 thou radial clearance" I say "**** your 10 thou, looks more like 254 microns to me"......engineer joke...lol, I know, not funny...:-(...

When things are too big for the caliper I use my thin 6" metal ruler, it's both SAE and metric and is the best fab tool ever.
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Old 05-01-2009, 06:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisjlittle View Post
4-40 threads are a little coarser and deeper than 3mm, so it seems to grab plastic a little bit better, but I don't really have problems with 3mm.
Its a proven fact that a finer thread with less depth actually has more surface area. Surface area matters more in pull out than the depth of the thread.
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:01 AM   #13
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Easier to just keep everything on the RC cars metric. That way you don't need a ton of tools to work on them. With a 2mm driver,2.5mm driver and a set of pliers,I can take all my rigs completely apart. Tape measures work good for some things. When it's close quarters a set of calipers will help a ton. A decent set of dial calipers can be had for a little over $20.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Ripperfi View Post
1/32, I can grasp that, its a C*** hair in the carpentry world. Dont know what that would be in metric.
That would be 0.79375 mm
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:06 AM   #14
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I use metric for all my measurements but use 4-40 screws/nuts because I can get them locally cheap where as metric is all special order.
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:13 AM   #15
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metric....because I hate fractions
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:32 AM   #16
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When it comes to hardware I always use metric because that it is just the way on this side of the lake (except GB I think). But ever since I joined this darn site(!!??) I try to get a better grasp of sae measurements since most of you guys refer to lengths and thickness using sae.
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Old 05-01-2009, 08:26 AM   #17
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I grew up with dirtbikes so Metric was my first introduction to tools. I've always owned Toyota trucks so it continued, and I have very few SAE tools.....just the ones that came with my first tool kit.

However, on my RC I use both. On the links I got from Toybuilder, metric hardware fit better so I went Metric. On all my tube work though an M3 was too big, so it's all drilled and tapped to take 4-40 hardware.
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Old 05-01-2009, 08:34 AM   #18
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only conversion you need is 2.54cm = 1 inch. You can figure anything out from there.

I use alot of SAE stuff because Lowe's is a mile from my house.
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Old 05-01-2009, 09:37 AM   #19
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:-Pmm x.03937=inchs work with it every day
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Old 05-01-2009, 09:42 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoredGord View Post
Metric, it's base 10, our numerical system is base 10, we have 10 fingers and toes. the band Metric is pretty good I suppose
So is inches in my world. I hate metric but it's something we need to learn, kinda like spanish.
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