That means I don't have to wait for a vintage Oster grinder/stuffer tube to show up on ebay or worry about not being able to find mine. Got a pair of replacement Cabella grinder tubes on the way. Small one for breakfast links, snack sticks and small dia hot dogs. Medium one for large dogs, brats and up to Kielbasa size.
Neither I or AI seems to be able to figure out what the #5, #8 or #12 pertain to other than "standard" meat grinder disc sizes. Sometime those old number systems can equate to increments like each # = 1/4" or something, where #8 = 2".
I think rebar is based on 1/8" where #4 = 4/8 or 1/2" and #5 = 5/8.
Doesn't seem to be the case with discs though. Meanwhile --
And no, a #8 plate will not fit any brand. Some discs have and indent or two to keep them from rotating. Some have a tab or two sticking out. There are different thicknesses as well. Maybe it was different back in the day or maybe things are more standard with commercial products.
None of the above applies to a piston/pusher style stuffer. They don't need to worry about sizing things to a rotating disc.