Because, dear Stupid Non-American, I'm American and feel no need to please you. (In fact, after reading the salutation beginning your email, I feel a strong urge to piss you off.)
Now, I don't dispute that the metric system is better than the Imperial system we use. It's just that I was brought up thinking in terms of pounds and gallons and feet, as was everyone else I know, and changing is just more trouble that it is worth, at least to me. If you feel so strongly that the world is suffering because I, a stupid American writing for other stupid Americans on a stupid American website, don't use metric, then feel free to start a collection to fund the conversion process.
Yes. I shortened it a bit, but it really did start out "Dear Stupid American" and tell me to switch to metric.
Yes.
Email me, and I'll send them to you. PayPal should have redirected you to a page where you can download the plans, but for some reason it doesn't always work. Note that I go on vacation in the summer, so you may have to wait until I get back.
My son has outgrown it, so it is in the basement waiting for my nephew Lucas to grow into it.
No.
I didn't. I never built it, though I still want to. I didn't mention the size of the resistors in the article because the size would depend on the LEDs and the supply voltage. To calculate the proper size for the resistors for your application, see the Notes on LEDs page.
No.
Still not finished. I'm working on the drive train, making my own worm gears for the drive reduction.
Also not finished. It works (I shot up my shop) but not much power.
Yes. I keep them with me at all times.
I am not a legal expert, but I think if those penny-mashing machines you see at truck stops are legal, then melting pennies must be legal too.
Copper is a rather reactive metal, and is usually melted under an inert atmosphere to keep it from oxidizing. It takes the rather high temperature of 1980°F, so don't think you can do it on the stove.
© 2010 W. E. Johns