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24 fluid ounces, by the way, is 24 /128 gallon, or approximately 0.7 liter, or 1 bottle, pick whatever unit you prefer...

US or UK gallon 

I am 99.12345698765324077543860858653598% sure the Dutchman has it right... nearly! Thankfully I work with wood, which when you aim for that sort of accuracy, is generally a different size on Tuesdays! So am usually OK with the difference.

Except in AF v M hex keys, and cross head screwdrivers of which 2 of the incompatible types Phillips and Posidrive were standards set by the same company just to ensure that there would be lots of torn up screw heads and drivers in the world 

Gentlemen,

I started this topic to share what I found to be an interesting video. I did not mean to awaken heated measuring system passions.

Ken

Measuring system discussions always get heavy, and lead to lengthy discussions 

In the UK we are quite used to mixing Imperial and Metric, it is normal to by 3m of 2"x 4", Sheet material is 19mm x 8'x4' As cutting machines get replaced we are starting to get fully metric which is a slightly painful process.

I was surprised to buy a plank of Cherry that came from the USA which was 10' of 195mm x 38mm though 

My biggest issue is with tools, hate AF hex keys they are just fractionally different, but perfect for rounding things off... and don't get me started on cross head screwdrivers! there are at least 3 different types that at a glance look the same, but are just different enough to break something

Time for a global reboot, every mind and every machine set to the same measurements 

Damn... that led to an hour watching youtube video's of trees getting sawn up!! 

So the turnings would be straightforward. My lathe can just handle 28" table leg billets. If I can handle forty identical legs, I should become a pretty fair basic spindle turner. I would have a year to complete them.

Ken

Hi Ken,

My first post on this forum, though we know each other from the Sorby one...

I am sure you have already completed this project, but for any others who get a similar task.

You have over set the requirement with these legs, and also made a rod for your own back you do not need 40 identical legs you need 10 similar sets of 4 identical legs, easier to achieve, much less of a repetitive chore, and more interesting for the classroom. Also has the advantage that after say 5 sets when you are into the  flow you may add an extra finesse to the next 5 sets.

You will want to run the lathe at 3952rpm the less time your roughing gouge is hovering in the air between corners the better your chances of getting a good easy parallel cylinder to start any shaping from.

The other tips I would add are:-

• If you are keeping square stock at the top to connect to the table runners make shallow cuts on all sides on a bandsaw before you go near the lathe, then with a hand saw extend those cuts a bit on each corner down to close to your round. this prevents splintering.
• Put bright colored tape around the bottom of the square to make it easy to see when spinning.
• Cut one from pine, but then go get yourself some beech, it is so much easier to work and get a good finish on, and not much more expensive.
• Do not under any circumstances change the length on the lathe, i.e. if you choose a ball foot only curve the outside never the bottom, 4 legs the same length is far more important than 4 identical patterns!