How to Solve Problems with a Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

I Can Solve It With A Pipe Diameter Tape Measure
I Can Solve It With A Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

A tape measure can solve basically one problem….How long is the item? But a pipe diameter tape measure can solve a short list of problems for you.

  • What is the outside diameter (OD) of that pipeline, without having to cut into it. You don’t even have to divide by pi.
  • What is the diameter of a tree trunk.
  • What is the accurate diameter of a tire.
  • What is the diameter of a beach ball, when fully inflated.

Even if the pipe is distorted, and the cross sectional diameter would be different in different directions, you can do it. The pipe diameter tape measure can tell you what the diameter would be, if it weren’t distorted. That’s because the measurement is based on the circumference. The tape automatically divides by pi (3.14159) for you.

Lufkin Makes the Best Pipe Diameter Tape Measure
Lufkin Makes the Best Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

 

 

 

How to Supercharge Your Tally Books

Workers and inspectors in the oilfields and gas fields all use tally books to keep track of data. What kind of data?

  • Diameter size of pipe

    Tally Books in the Field
    Tally Books in the Field
  • Length of pipe
  • Time of installation of a pipe
  • Voltage levels of wind turbines
  • Speed of the wind turbines
  • Amount of fuel and lubricants at different times throughout the day
  • Unusual drilling actions to report
  • Pressure of different gauges

To supercharge your tally books, here are some cool ideas:

  1. Put your full color company logo on the outside front vinyl cover.
  2. List important phone numbers on the back cover.
  3. Print a conversion table inside.
  4. Install a pen loop on the side.
  5. Instead of getting a 200 sheet paper pad, get a 100 sheet “stone pad”, which is waterproof and tear proof.
  6. Add a clear vinyl insert so a worker can place business cards and important notes.

What is an Architect Scale Ruler and Why Does It Matter?

The burning questions is “Why does it matter”. If you ask an architect, he or she will tell you that an architect scale ruler is vital to their daily business. They would not be able to function without these rulers.

Architect Scale Rulers at Work
Architect Scale Rulers at Work

What is an architect scale ruler? It is a special ruler that is marked in special scales that correspond to the scale of the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1″ = 1 foot, then each inch on the correct scale will represent one foot in the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1/4″ = 1 foot, then each quarter inch on the 1/4 scale corresponds to 1 foot in the drawing. On this particular scale, each 1/4 inch is marked 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. So that the “4 marking number” is one inch from the zero mark. Simple, so far. But each of these rulers has several scales, so you don’t have to have multiple rulers in your pocket. Other scales can be 1/8, 1/16, 1/3, 3/16 and so forth. The trick of this business is to be able to choose the correct scale for each drawing you are working on. If you are reading a highway map which is drawn to 1/4″ = 1 mile, you would use the 1/4 scale. If you are with me up to this point, you could become an architect!

The Anatomy of Great Engraved Flashlights

If you or your boss are looking for the best engraved flashlights for your company promotion, Here are the top 7 features to look for.

Maglite Solitaire LED Engraved Flashlights
Maglite Solitaire LED Engraved Flashlight
  1. A solid aluminum barrel so it will survive a drop onto concrete, or other physical abuse
  2. An LED (light emitting diode) bulb or the new COB (chip on board) bulb
  3. Waterproof construction with rubber O rings at the screw-on openings
  4. Easy access to change the batteries
  5. Made in USA
  6. Warranted for life, or at least several years. Maglites used to have a lifetime warranty. In 2019, the manufacturer stopped giving this warranty. Still, it will last a very long time.
  7. High quality deep laser engraving that will last forever. This is much better than screen printing, because it won’t wear off or scratch off.

How to Convince Your Boss to Give You a Maglite Engraved With His Corporate Logo

Tell him (or her):

  • I’d rather have a Maglite engraved with your logo instead of a raise this year.
  • You can use these as service awards, instead of having a dinner for the employees.
  • You can also use these as safety awards, if your shop goes 6 months without an accident.
  • I’ll limit my coffee breaks to 10 minutes instead of 15, for the rest of the year.
  • I won’t tell anyone that your other car is a Jaguar, and you don’t drive it to work
    Jaguar Deal for a Maglite Engraved
    A win/win Jaguar Deal for a Maglite Engraved

    because your employees might get jealous.

Please post your other suggestions here. I’d be glad to see them.

 

Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers About the Diameter Tape Measure

The select few people that need to use a diameter tape measure have questions before they order. Here are the top 10:

10 Answers About the Diameter Tape Measure
10 Answers About the Diameter Tape Measure
  1. How soon can we have them? 2 to 3 weeks is the production time.
  2. Can you print our logo in full color? Yes.
  3. What kind of art file do you need?  .eps and .ai files are the best art files. If you don’t have those, just give us a high resolution art file, and we can convert it.
  4. Will the imprint last forever? Yes
  5. Where is it made? The vinyl labels are made in the USA, and the tapes are made in Mexico or China.
  6. Is the case strong? Yes. It is very strong.
  7. Is the zero mark at the very end of the tape? The zero mark on a diameter tape needs to be away from the end, for easy use.
  8. Can you print on both sides of the case? Yes, but only on some brands.
  9. How big of a pipe can you measure? That depends on the brand of tape. Some are 23″. Some go as high as 38″ diameter.
  10. Does it come in a gift box? Yes. Each brand has a different type of box.

The Pipe Diameter Tape Measure That’s the Black Sheep of the Family

The pipe diameter tape measure that is frequently overlooked, has more to offer than all the others.

This forgotten child gives you the outside diameter of a pipeline in both inches

The Black Sheep of Pipe Diameter Tape Measures
The Black Sheep of Pipe Diameter Tape Measures

and centimeters. It is valuable to both Americans (using the inch system) and those who use the Metric system of measurements. It goes up to 38″ diameter (955 millimeters diameter). The only thing it doesn’t offer is the ability to measure straight objects. You would have to have a regular tape for that.

Who would use this tape? Inspectors who travel and deal with both systems. Any drilling companies that use both metric and imperial systems of measurement.

Pi-Cobra Diameter Tape, Metric & Inch Pi-Cobra Diameter Tape, Metric & Inch