Measurement Question

[DJKeys]

I asked this in the Cuemaker section as well.

I was wondering why shaft diameters are always expressed in millimeters (12.5, 13), but joint and butt diameters are always expressed in inches (.855, 1.26)?

 

[pooldawg8]

Great question DJ. I to have always wondered the same thing myself.
Jeff

 

[Paul Mon]

Just a guess here, but millimeters are easier to understand in smaller numbers. For instance, 13mm=0.5118in; 12.5mm=0.4921in. Thus, while we all know that there is a huge difference between a 12.5mm shaft and a 13mm shaft, I doubt that many of us want to remember that we like a 0.492" shaft over a 0.512" shaft.

Dave

I disagree Dave. IMO, it's easier to understand and visualize fractional inches ie. 1/16"=.0625" and 1/32"=.031". I've been in design and manufacturing for over 35 years and have used both decimal inch and metric. My mind still thinks in decimal inch.

Paul Mon.....proud owner of a 1270mm x 2540mm GCIII

 

[DJKeys]

Chris Hightower

This came from the Ask the Cuemaker section, makes sense:

Quote:

Originally Posted by cueman

Many of the tips from way back came from France and were measured in millimeters. So it continued to be the standard. So that is how the public was educated on tip size. On the other hand USA Cuemakers started out using Dial Calipers to measure other dimensions just like all USA machinists use and that became the way they calculated all other measurements.

 

[pwd72s]

This came from the Ask the Cuemaker section, makes sense:

Quote:

Originally Posted by cueman

Many of the tips from way back came from France and were measured in millimeters. So it continued to be the standard. So that is how the public was educated on tip size. On the other hand USA Cuemakers started out using Dial Calipers to measure other dimensions just like all USA machinists use and that became the way they calculated all other measurements.

Sounds reasonable to me...

 

[bell]

Universal Standard

A great question. It dosent make any sense! To have two different measurement standards for the same product is just stupid. I think basically it is the result of the US Governments failure to adopt a univerdal metric standard in our country. What is a foot? Originally it is the size of a man's foot. Way back in England in the olde days they did not have a better way to measure distance. But now the world has a precise metric system. International commerce would be simplified by a universal standard but noooooo...look at your can of Miller Lite...side by side 12 oz. and 355 ml. Go to the gun shop, side by side, 45. cal and 10 mm. Why the resistance to a single standard for all products?

It seems the ACA could take the lead and try to standardize cues on a metric basis.