What is the “average” diameter of a pipe? This term would come into play only if the pipe is not exactly round in cross section.
A Flattened Pipe, in the Shape of an Oval
If the pipe were deformed and flattened out, what would be the diameter of it? It would have a long diameter and short diameter. So how would you determine its original diameter?
Instead of using a caliper or micrometer and doing
An Irregular Deformation of a Pipe, in Cross Section
some kind of calculation, you can do it the easy way. Use a pipe diameter tape measure. It will easily tell you what the original, or average, diameter is. Just wrap it around the pipe, and read off the “original” or “average” outside diameter.
In 2021 and still in 2022, there are widespread supply chain issues worldwide. Many products that are made in China have had 2 problems making it to the United States. First of all, is their labor problem. Covid 19 outbreaks have closed down Chinese factories at least twice since 2019. Secondly, transportation issues have been another major issue. The price of shipping has increased drastically, and the port of Los Angeles had a bottleneck issue several months ago.
All these issues have contributed to the dramatic slowdown of raw materials and
Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape Measure
finished products. Pipe diameter tape measures are no exception. Lufkin makes the most popular one, and has shipped only a small amount of inventory in the last 12 months to its distributors. At this point, August 2022, the future of more shipments is uncertain. An alternative diameter tape is made in China, the Pi-Cobra Diameter Tape. Shipments are due in the United States shortly, but maybe not soon enough or big enough to satisfy the need of customers.
A Pipe Diameter Tape Measure is used by oil companies and Water utility companies. The oil companies are doing very well right now, due to the profitability of oil drilling. So their need for these tapes is higher than the supply. This is driving up the price of the Pi-Cobra tapes. Hopefully, this supply chain problem will soon come to an end.
Why do you need to choose a diameter tape, anyway? Because you want a quick and easy way to take a tape measure out of your pocket and find the diameter of a pipe or other round object. The best pipe diameter tape measure for your job can be solved by asking these questions:
Metric or inch, or both? Some tapes are marked in any of these 3 different scales.
Does a brand name matter? Lufkin tools have made a name for themselves. Pi-Cobra tapes are made in China, but they are less expensive, and longer.
What accuracy do you need? The pocket sized ones are quick and convenient. They are accurate to 0.01 inch. If you need a highly accurate one, check out Pi Tape. They cost about 10 times as much, and they can’t fit in your pocket. But here is their accuracy: Pi Tape metric tapes have a diameter accuracy of ± 0,03 mm up to 3 600 millimeters. Pi Tape inch tapes have a diameter accuracy of ± 0,001″ up to 144 inches.
PI Tape 24″ to 48″ Range Periphery Tape Measure ‑ 57‑065‑856
Did you know that 149 years ago the first Arbor Day was celebrated in the U.S.? It is a springtime holiday that is celebrated nationwide to promote the importance of planting trees.
While in years past community events are usually held to celebrate this holiday, this year it will be quite different. Here are ways to appreciate our world’s trees during this pandemic:
Lufkin and Pi-Cobra are the two main brands of diameter tape measures that we carry. If you’re a regular user of these unique and useful tape measures, you know their special skill: measuring the diameter of pipes or other cylindrical items.
A Diameter Tape Measure Will Take Your Mind Off The News
I bet this week is going to be a doozie, so I think I might just unplug the TV and not read the news online either. I need a detox from all of the social and political unrest that is consuming the news headlines daily.
Sure, you can use your eyes to look for the tallest, widest, bushiest tree… but it’s not until you measure the stump with your diameter tape measure that you will truly know the tree’s age.
Just stick it in your pocket when you’re heading to the Christmas tree farm!
This forgotten child gives you the outside diameter of a pipeline in both inches
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.
Today may seem like a regular old Tuesday in July, but did you know that today is the one day a year we can officially celebrate the diameter tape measure? Today is Tape Measure Day!
Some fun facts:
William H. Bangs received the first patent in 1864 for a spring return pocket tape measure
1920s: the concave-convex tape measure was invented (the current standard design of tapes); these become mass-produced
1956: longest tape measure made- 600’ long!
Any of these retractable tape measures & diameter tape measures can be imprinted with your logo:
The pipe diameter tape measure is normally used by pipeline workers and inspectors. They wrap it around the circumference of the pipe, and read the
A New Use for a Pipe Diameter Tape Measure
diameter size on the tape. Now this useful tape can take on a new use during the COVID-19 lockdown.
For those of you who are forced to stay at home every day, you may have discovered the comforting appeal of the refrigerator. It’s always there with food for when you are hungry. It’s even there when you are not hungry, but just need some comfort. If you have a bathroom scale, you may have noticed that the spring might be getting weaker this month. Or, could it be that you are actually putting on weight?
A Lufkin pipe diameter tape measure can be a fun way to try to prove that your bathroom scale might be broken. Wrap it around your waist or your arm, and see for sure if you are getting too chummy with the Frigidaire.
