3 Signs You Should Invest in Pocket Diameter Tape Measures

Diameter tape measures are used by plumbers, oil and gas drilling companies, and tree people. When should you buy some diameter tape measures? Here are 3 clues:

  1. The shop’s diameter tapes are too large to put in your pocket when you need to go into the field and measure some pipelines.
  2. You don’t want to use a regular measuring tape and divide by pi.
  3. You want to be always prepared in case you need to find the diameter of a pipeline when you are away from the shop.
Lufkin Pipe Diameter Measuring Tape
Lufkin Pipe Diameter Measuring Tape

How to Measure the Diameter of a Pipe

How to Measure the Diameter of a Pipe
How to Measure the Diameter of a Pipe

I always enjoy explaining  how to measure the diameter of a pipe. Doing the measuring actually takes less time than explaining it. It’s easy, too, because the pipe diameter tape does all the work for you. It takes about 10 seconds to do this little task. All you do is wrap the od tape (diameter tape) around the pipe or pipeline, and read off the diameter directly from the tape. The video found here in the header picture pretty much shows you how simple it is.

Lufkin Diameter Tape (pi Tape)
Lufkin Diameter Tape (pi Tape)

This is a valuable tool for people in the oil and gas drilling business, automotive repair, boat repair, tree people, arborists, tree nurserymen, landscapers, and anyone who needs to know the diameter of a round object. This allows you to find the diameter without cutting it and measuring the diameter directly.

How A Pipe Diameter Measuring Tape Can Make Your Life Easier

Pipe Diameter Measuring Tape
Pipe Diameter Measuring Tape

If you are in the oil business, or drilling, or plumbing business, you are always measuring pipes. You also need to know the outside diameter of pipelines and pipe fittings that are part of a piping system. How do you do that without cutting the pipeline and measuring the diameter directly?

  • Use a caliper, and transfer the measurement to a metal rule. This works, but is only as accurate as the metal rule, and your ability to transfer the distance to the rule. Also, who wants to carry around a caliper all day?
  • Use an OD micrometer. But what size micrometer do you need? A 0-1 mic will only measure a pipe that is less than 1 inch in diameter. A 1-2 mic will only measure a pipe that is between 1 and 2 inches in diameter. Who want to keep a whole set of mics with them in the field?
  • Use a flexible measuring tape, wrap it around the pipeline, make a reading and divide by pi. This works, but it’s not that accurate because the markings are on the side of the tape that is not physically next to the pipe. Your are really measuring the diameter of the pipe plus twice the thickness of the tape.
  • At last, the best and easiest way to get the diameter of a pipe: Use a Lufkin Pipe diameter measuring tape. The diameter tape does all the work for you! Just wrap it around the pipe and read the diameter.

    Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape
    Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape

Add A Pipe Diameter Measuring Tape To Your Toolbox

What's the diameter of this Pipeline?
What’s the diameter of this Pipeline?

Diameter tape measures are able to give you the diameter of a pipe, pipeline, log, or any other round object. They do it in 1 easy step. All you do is wrap the pipe diameter measuring tape around the pipe and read off the diameter. A regular tape measure would give you the circumference. Then you would have to divide by pi (3.14159). That adds another step, plus you would need a calculator, pencil, and paper to arrive at the diameter.

Why do you need a diameter tape in your toolbox?

  • To measure the diameter of a heater hose in your car, for replacement.
  • To measure the diameter of your round furnace ductwork, so you can extend it, or tap into it.

    Furnace ductwork in your home
    Furnace ductwork in your home
  • To find the diameter of a hose in your boat, so you can replace it. You can go buy the new hose without  removing the old one first.

    Pipes and hoses on your boat
    Pipes and hoses on your boat
  • To find the diameter of pipes or copper tubing, or plastic pipe in your house plumbing, so you can extend it, or add onto it.
5600 × 4200 – servicemaster
Pipes in your basement
Pipes in your basement