For the love of GOD use metric!

[Heavy]

These wonderfull plans are all but useless for us that use the metric system.

[Hack]

1" = 25.4mm. Quite easy and makes the plans quite useful.

Dan

[joecnc2006]

if you have the drawing files then just change units to metric... then diminsion them, if not then use a converter...

I'm in Texas and will use dec. inches, sorry, thats just the way it is here, and if you have someone who can do drawings in metric, then have them do it... for goodness sake they are free, someone has done the hard work for you, what else do you want... lol

[HayTay]

Heavy,

JGRO has provided us with a great set of plans for an entry level CNC machine, for FREE. I'm sure that John used Imperial units because that is what he is most comfortable using and matched the materials he was able to purchase locally.

What is great about the plans is that you can follow them exactly and wind up with a fantastic little machine. Or, you can tweak them to make them work with the components available to you. You can scale it larger or smaller, reinforce it, use higher quality components, or even (dare I say it) convert it to Metric units.

The plans are just a rough guide. John has done the hard part and come up with the design and provided the plans in AutoCAD, SolidWorks and Catia formats so that they can be modified. You can open the parts files in SolidWorks and with a few clicks all of the dimensions can be converted to Metric units. The dimensions can then be rounded or modified to match materials available in your locale. Plus, it's good practice to do the conversion/modification if you need experience with whatever CAD program your going to use. Barring that, there is always the pencil and calculator conversion method. Given the original JGRO design along with a little time and patience, it should be fairly easy to do the Imperial to Metric conversion.

Take the initiative, then you can post the JGRO - METRIC version.

You can make it work,

HayTay

[Mcgyver]

Please God, don't let the US go off the imperial system, else I must retool.

I've always found imperial machines to provide the utmost in function and utility, its those darn metric ones that are useless

I do see the point though that if only metric threads/bar stock is available, it's not as simple as multiplying by 25.4 - but HayTay is right on, someone who's provided free plans has done his part (wish all hobbyist had that attitude of wanting to help each other for the sake of helping) so don’t complain, step up

[Switcher]

Metric is the best! Yeah, I'm from the US!

[Heavy]

Was not realy directed at JGRO more in general to everyone. But JGRO's plans will be a good reference.

And note that:
"Don't give me the excuse "it's free, so stop complaining"; Garbage is free but you don't jump in a landfill do ya". -- Some Poster at slashdot.org

[standles]

I always hear how metric is eaiser to use than imperial. Imperial is to confusing with all those fractions and such.

Does that mean that those of us that use imperial are inherently smarter than metric users ?

"Abestos suit on"

[WhiteTiger]

I'd guess that almost anyone who has dimensioned plans posted would be happy to rework them in metric if you offered to pay them for the effort of accomodating you

"anything free is worth exactly what you paid for it"... if you want it to be other than the free version, it's reasonable to expect to pay.


Tiger

[Jason Marsha]

I built the JGRO in its imperial units and had no problem although we are officially metric. Get an imperial tape and rule or convert the units to metric, its not that hard.
Funny enough its easier to convert some of the hole diameters to mm than to get them to 1/16 or 1/32 fractions.

As Hack posted 1 inch = 25.4mm
You do not need any other info.

In some cases metric is easier to use than imperial, however for physically building a project I opt for imperial. When drawing objects in CAD both for my CNC machine and otherwise I opt for metric.

Jason

[strat]

"Garbage is free but you don't jump in a landfill do ya"
whats the ol saying one mans trash another mans treasure

[NC Cams]

Question: what do the Japanese call a handicapped individual who only can speak one language???

Answer: an American.

Does that mean that we need to start calling anyone who can't work in Imperial and Metric units "a European"???

I'm not that arrogant but really......

Having been in the US engineering community for longer than I care to admit, I"ve had to learn to work in EITHER units although I prefer Imperial. IN fact right now, I'm working on a component for a German company who's making a Brazilian intended part by an American prototyping company. I have to design the turning in metric (the oem drawing is metric) BUT I have to supply the drawing to a turning shop in Imperial units. That's life in a global economy.

Sadly, the "globalization" of out educational system is forcing the U.S. kids these days to work in Metric units. Can't tell you how many engineers just out of college anymore CAN"T work in Imperial units. It is truly sad... Some call it globalization, I call it "dumbing down"...

Too bad as the world is in the process of eating away at out economy and ultimately our livelihoods. Knowledge, training and the uniqueness of our measuring system is/was a last bastion of defense against ALL our technologies being summarily shipped to a low bid, Nth world country because they can/will do it cheaper.

I fear that we're living in the denouemont of our society. Will the last one who leaves, please turn out the lights....

Meanwhile, my CAD system will easily convert from English to metric dimensions with 2 key strokes - and it is nearly 10 years old. If yours can't, I'd say you got ripped off.

If you can't even convert from english to metric with CAD files, as the message thread title implies "for god sake, use meterics AND design your own.....".