In Search of the Meaning of Oilfield Pipe Tally Books

In Search of the Meaning of Tally Books
In Search of the Meaning of Tally Books

Oilfield pipe tally books have been used by oilfield workers for many years. Since most people don’t work in an oilfield, you may be wondering what the heck a tally book is. Here’s a brief answer:

The guys who drill an oil well have to keep track of how deep they are. Every time they add a new pipe, they have to record the time and the size of the pipe. They need a rugged, pocket-sized waterproof book in which to make these notations. Most of these books are vinyl covered. Some even have waterproof paper called “stone paper”. It is waterproof and tear resistant. Some have a vinyl pen loop, so you don’t have to go looking for a pen every time. The pages have horizontal lines and a few vertical lines.

These books are so handy, that anyone can find a use for them. Contractors, builders, electricians, plumbers, estimators, inspectors, law enforcement officers and natural resources field people can use tally books.

3420camotally.jpg Oilfield Camo® Pipe Tally Books 3420

Tally Books Explained in a Few Words

Oilfield workers need a handy way of keeping track of how many lengths of pipe

Custom Full Color Imprint on Tally Books
Custom Full Color Imprint on Tally Books

they have put in the ground. The easiest way to do this is to record each pipe in a small pocket-sized notebook. The exact time of day should also be recorded. The book needs to be rugged and water resistant and the pages need to be lined. This problem has led to the invention of vinyl-covered Pipe Tally Books.

 

How to Make Your Tally Books More Useful

Oilfield and gas field workers use Tally Books every hour of the day. They keep

How to Build a Better Pipe Tally Book
How to Build a Better Pipe Tally Book

track of when tasks are done, the size and length of the pipes they install, and gauge readings. How can you make their pipe tally books more useful to them?

  1. Add a vinyl pen loop, so the workers won’t loose their pen or pencil.
  2. Design the book with spiral binding instead of stitched binding, so the book will lay flat.
  3. Make the color of the vinyl cover bright, so it can be found easily in a pile of other items.
  4. Print valuable information on the back cover, or on the inside of the cover. This can be phone numbers, conversion tables, decimal equivalents, etc.
  5. Order a 3 page clear vinyl insert, so you can store business cards, printed material, and other important info.
  6. Order a water-resistant stone pad for more durability. These amazing pads look like paper pads, but you can’t tear them, and they resist water damage.

3410-Jr Tallybook.jpg Tally Book Junior 3410 (Top Seller)

3 Mysteries of the Diameter Tape Measure

Mysteries of the Diameter Tape Measure
Mysteries of the Diameter Tape Measure

The diameter tape measure easily figures the diameter of a pipe or pipeline. All you have to do is wrap it around the pipe, and read off the diameter. Here are its mysteries..

    1. Why is the “zero” mark not at the beginning of the tape? It is a couple inches away from the beginning of the tape.
    2. Why does the end of the tape have a “loop” instead of a “hook”?
    3. Why are some calibrated in 100ths of an inch, and some in 64ths of an inch, and some in millimeters?

     

ANSWERS:

  1. By having the zero mark away from the beginning of the tape, you can easily line up the other part of the tape to the zero mark.
  2. Since zero is not at the end of the tape, there is no need to have a hook there. What is helpful, is to have a metal loop to hold onto, when wrapping the tape around the pipe.
  3. Different strokes for different folks. Automotive repair people prefer the 64ths of an inch calibration. Oilfield people prefer the 100ths of an inch version. And of course, some people use the metric system of measurement.

 

Why You Need Custom Tally Books

Why? The top 5 answers to this question are:

Tally Books…

3400.jpg Pipe Tally Books 3400

  1. Are needed by your employees if they need to make notes continually in the field. They are essential to the oil and gas industries. Oilfield and gas field workers and inspectors need to have durable pipe tally books to keep their records current and safe.
  2. Give your employees a sense of pride. Seeing your company logo on the books tells them that they are team members.
  3. advertise your company to everyone who has one of your custom tally books.
  4. Help your employees by keeping valuable tables and conversion formulas at their fingertips. You design the table that best suits your needs, and it will appear on the book.
  5. Support American workers. Pipe tally books are made and printed in the USA.

Why You Must Give Your Customers A Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

Well, not all your customers need a pipe diameter tape measure. But these customers really need one. Why not give them one with your company logo imprinted on it?:

  • Oilfield workers
  • Gas field workers
  • Plumbers

    Diameter Tapes
    Diameter Tapes
  • Car repair people
  • Boat repair people
  • Arborists
  • Pipeline inspectors
  • Municipal utility workers
  • HVAC installers and inspectors
  • Architects
  • Manufacturers
  • Building contractors
  • Building superintendents

If any of your customers are on this list, a pipe diameter tape measure  with your logo will be visible to them every work day.

Who Needs Tally Books, and What Are They?

Tally Books are similar to jotters, or pocket notebooks. All are useful for writing notes and small enough to keep in your shirt pocket or jacket pocket. What is different about “tally books”?

  • They are protected by a heavy duty vinyl cover, to help keep the pages dry when
    tallybook-in-the-field
    Tally Book In The Field

    you are working outside.

  • They have an optional “stone pad”. That is not paper, but it looks like paper. Stone pads are water resistant and you cannot tear them. If more people knew about them, they would prefer them over paper pads.
  • They have an optional clear vinyl 3 page insert. You can insert your own tables and data sheets for easy reference in the field.
  • For oil and gas industry users, the tally books have optional oilfield stock art which complements your company logo.
  • All-in-all, tally books are very rugged pocket notebooks for use in all kinds of weather. They are preferred by oil, gas, and wind energy companies. They use them for keeping track of repetitive data entries.