Why 96mm?

[morqthana]

Bought a new chest of drawers, don't like the handles, so I'm going to change them.

Hole centres are 96mm, which is a standard size, there are gazillions out there, so no problem finding something.

But why is 96mm a standard size? Why not 100?

96mm is almost-but-not-quite 3¾", but even if it were exact, why 3¾" and not 4"?

Why did somebody in the past think "You know what? 96mm would be a great hole-spacing to standardise on"?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

https://truepositiontools.com/learn/how-to/getting-to-know-the-32-mm-system-for-cabinet-making/

 

[matlob]

Something to do with furniture being scaled in 32s

 

[morqthana]

OK, thanks.

But you know what's coming next....




... Why 32? Just 'cos it's a power of 2?

And why aren't kitchen cabinets multiples of 32?

I'm itching now to wander about my house, tape measure in hand, checking the sizes of furniture items....

 

[morqthana]

This reminds me of finding out (last year I think) why tape measures have those little diamonds on them.



Just looked at the handles on a cupboard.

260mm. Definitely not 256.

 

[foxhole]

Bought a new chest of drawers, don't like the handles, so I'm going to change them.

Hole centres are 96mm, which is a standard size, there are gazillions out there, so no problem finding something.

But why is 96mm a standard size? Why not 100?

96mm is almost-but-not-quite 3¾", but even if it were exact, why 3¾" and not 4"?

Why did somebody in the past think "You know what? 96mm would be a great hole-spacing to standardise on"?

100mm D handles fit that spacing .

 

[chirpychippy]

https://truepositiontools.com/learn/how-to/getting-to-know-the-32-mm-system-for-cabinet-making/

I didn't know this!!