Pipe Diameter Tape Measure CONTEST for Pi Day 2022

Pipe diameter tape measure on National Pi Day — National Pi Day in the USA (Monday March 14, 2022)

What does a pipe diameter tape measure have to do with Pi Day? It’s a tape that you wrap around a pipe (the circumference), and it reads out the diameter for you. You don’t need to divide by pi (3.14159). It’s a simple but amazing tool for those that work with pipelines in oilfields and gas fields. Even arborists use them to measure the diameter of a tree trunk.

What does a “pie” have to do with this? 2 reasons. First, the two words sound the same. Second, pies are round, which is the appropriate shape when you are comparing circumferences and diameters.

So, enjoy the day by eating your favorite pie.

And now for the CONTEST:

What famous scientist was born on Pi Day?

The first person that leaves a comment here, with the correct name, will receive a FREE Diameter Tape in the mail. (Continental US only). Don’t leave your address, for security reasons. I’ll contact you privately for that information.

How to Solve Problems 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

Become an Expert at Using a Pipe Diameter Tape Measure in 5 Minutes!

If you need to find the diameter of a pipe or a pipeline, here’s a 5 minute crash course..

Buy a pipe diameter tape measure.
Notice that one side is probably just a regular inch tape measure.
The other side is also in inches, but it seems to be stretched out about 3 times longer than normal. It’s actually stretched out by a factor of pi (3.14159). This is the diameter tape side.
Use the diameter tape side for this lesson.
Clean off the pipe of any dirt or other debris.
Simply wrap the tape around the pipe, keeping the diameter side out, so you can read it.
Note where the zero mark lines up on the tape. That gives you the outside diameter of the pipe.
It may be hard to read the markings. They are probably not marked the same as a regular tape. They may be in 64ths of an inch or 100ths of an inch. Either way, you have just learned how to use a diameter tape!