Builder's dimensions

[DTH1]

We all know and are aware of the advantages of metric over imperial for dimensions (I've been in the building game since the '60s).
However, my offsider and I had to resort to using builders' dimensions when installing a new sliding door for my MIL.
My wife heard us and came out to enquire what the f*** were we talking about.
So I had to explain how these dimensions are used and the advantage that there is no measuring involved.

SMIDGEON When something has to be moved 'a bit' usually some force is required - a tap of a hammer.
CAT'S WHISKER This is about a tenth of a Smidgeon.
DOG'S HAIR About half of a Cat's Whisker.
DUCK'S FLUFF This is getting into micro territory.
POOFTEENTH The only thing I've used smaller than a Poofteenth was half a Poofteenth.


Has anyone used similar dimensions?
Can they be added to the list?

[Beardy]

You forgot “ it’s a c*** hair out” and “two fifths of f*** all”

[Chief Tiff]

TADGE Imperial equivalent to a Smidge; similar to how a Litre and a US Quart are equivalent
BEE's WINKY An ultra-precise engineering measurement between a Dog's Hair and Duck Fluff

[rwbuild]

Or when cutting to length, line on or line off

[DTH1]

TADGE Imperial equivalent to a Smidge; similar to how a Litre and a US Quart are equivalent
BEE's WINKY An ultra-precise engineering measurement between a Dog's Hair and Duck Fluff

You forgot “ it’s a c*** hair out” and “two fifths of f*** all”

These are Imperial measurements and therefore are not as good as the metric ones described.
The BEE's WINKY, however, being an engineering measurement, would obviously fall into the metric category and obviously fit in with the Builders Dimensions as noted!

[DTH1]

Or when cutting to length, line on or line off

While I was doing the final trims with aluminium angle, I couldn't find my pencil to mark the angles' lengths. So I used the corner of my rough chisel to scratch a line.
Back at the saw, it wasn't a matter of line on or line off, but rather where the heck is the line?

[LHThread]

In similar vein to that precise engineering standard viz: "The Bee's Winky", and depending on whether one is north or south of the Tropic of Capricorn.... then "Half the width of a gnat's doodle" was the Metric/Imperial standard "backing off" amount once the points were set on the Lucas distributor of a Morris Minor!

[Lappa]

In similar vein to that precise engineering standard viz: "The Bee's Winky", and depending on whether one is north or south of the Tropic of Capricorn.... then "Half the width of a gnat's doodle" was the Metric/Imperial standard "backing off" amount once the points were set on the Lucas distributor of a Morris Minor!

Remember them well - L19 or L19V if you wanted the vented type.

[Mobyturns]

and when its spot on - "just the ducks nuts!"

[rod1949]

You brought back memories there when I started my apprenticeship in the mid sixties and the old tradies who trained me giving me these imperial measurement

[Mobyturns]

Then of course there are many other builders terms to describe other attributes

"Dry as a ......" or "Wet as a ...."

"Loose as a ......" tight as a .... "

"Tight as a Scotsman" or "as generous as a Scotsman at the bar"

It does bring back memories of working with my Dad and Ian (two family business partnership), some days it was hard to work as we would be roaring with laughter at the banter on the job site, between all the trades.

One of the best I have heard was Hans Weisflogg (German woodturner) describing hot to make a suction fit lidded box - "if you take off to much it becomes a French box - Toloose!" (Toulouse)

[riverbuilder]

“That fit is like a German girl I knew once , Her name was Neizentight”

[BobL]

At work all of the above were in common use, with perhaps bees winky being the most common, but some of the less commonly used mainly in the mechanical workshop were
cigarette paper
gnats whisker
and the smallest of all was the
fingerprint

[Beardy]

And when the fit was good enough it was “ a blind man would be happy to see that”

[Chesand]

And when the fit was good enough it was “ a blind man would be happy to see that”

That was one of my father's favourite sayings although he was not a tradie.