OT: Metric Hardware (was 5" disks)

[Tim Shoppa]

der Mouse writes:
> >> What I want to know is when the US and Canada will get with the
> >> program and start using ISO paper sizes like everyone else :-)
> > As soon as they start using screws with metric threads ;-)
>
> Um, we do - well, Canada does, at least.  English screw sizes and
> threads are more common, at least in the hardware stores I frequent,
> but metric screws are by no means unknown - and a source of much
> irritation when, say, you think you have a 6-32 screw and you find it
> doesn't fit your 6-32 nut....

Metric hardware on cars - even North American built - has been very
nearly universal in North America for the past 15 years. There
are a couple exceptions still, like lugnuts. (Though by no coincidence
the most common lug nut hex sizes on small cars are 3/4" and 19mm,
and it's nearly impossible to tell whether it's metric or not by
the hex size!)

Strangely enough, spark plug threads in North America have been
metric since the beginning of time, but the heads are still fractional-inch.

Tim.