The humble 2x4 piece of lumber will likely be the last major industrial component to change over in the US.
Which actually measures 1-1/2" by 3-1/2", but let's not go there...
Which actually measures 1-1/2" by 3-1/2", but let's not go there...
In the UK 2x4, 2x2 etc is still commonly available, but it's 50x100mm. Probably has been for 30 years but only sold as 50x100 for ten or less. Metricating timber was easy because no one's going to notice or care if they get 25mm instead of each inch.
Metals, fastenings, pipes etc converted much slower because metric was often incompatible sizes without adapters.
> Which actually measures 1-1/2" by 3-1/2",
Isn't that because it's 2x4 before planing. cut lumber would be actually 2x4.
It used to be, but now we're more efficient in our rough cutting and a 2x4 you buy was never actually a full 2x4.
Or do countries that use the SI system generally not use wood for framing?
Oh and Farenheit for water and cooking temperatures. No idea why because I have no freaking idea what a Farenheit is otherwise.
I don't try to figure out their fake dimensions; I just measure and buy what fits.
Oh, and this is why composites like MDF and plywood are better sometimes.