Tag: vinyl

The Irony of Pipe Tally Books

Those in the oil well drilling business use tally books continually every day. They

Oilfield Tally Books 3400CR4
Oilfield Tally Books 3400CR4

keep a close record of when they attach a new section of pipe, and how long it is, and what time it is. The books are just the right size to fit into a pocket, so the books are kept right where they are needed. So tally books are a necessity in the oil drilling business.

To protect the book from weather and abrasion, the cover is made of vinyl. That’s where the irony hits. Vinyl is a man-made fabric made from OIL!

How do they make vinyl?

It was developed only in 1920 as an inexpensive durable fabric that is easy to make. It is made out of oil and salt, and its real name in poly vinyl chloride.

Here are the details for you scientists:

They break down petroleum using high pressure and temperature. This is called cracking. The results are ethylene, butadiene, propylene, and a few other things. They combine salt (a source of chlorine) with the ethylene using “electrolytic disassociation”. They add a few other compounds and end up with poly vinyl chloride (vinyl).

As you know, vinyl is ubiquitous, and very inexpensive. However, it looks expensive, similar to leather.

How Tally Books Are Constructed

Oilfield Tally Books
Oilfield Tally Books

Tally Books are used by workers and inspectors in the oil and gas industries. These books are made rugged for outdoor use. Here is how they are constructed:

  • For stiffness, we start with chipboard. This is the solid gray “cardboard” material that cereal boxes are made out of.
  • The 2 pieces of chipboard (front and back of the tally book) are covered with a colored vinyl for protection from the elements. Vinyl comes in a variety of colors. The inside layer is usually the same color as the outside layer.
  • To hold the paper pad (or stone pad), we add a front and back clear pocket. So the first and last page of the pad are slid into those two pockets. For durability, the first and last page are made of heavier paper. This pad is held in place just like the check register in your vinyl checkbook.
  • Not in this order, the imprinting is done on the outside cover and the inside pockets.
  • Printing is done in 3 different ways: Screen printing, Hotstamping, Full-color imprinting.
  • Sometimes we add a clear vinyl pen loop on the side. We can also add an insert. It has 3 clear vinyl pockets so that you can add papers and cards of your choosing.

Tally Books are made and printed in the USA.

 

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.

The 5 Oddest Uses for Pipe Tally Books

The 5 Oddest Uses for Pipe Tally Books

(How many more can you add?)

Tallybook Contest
Tallybook Contest

Pipe Tally Books are really designed for outdoor use. They are mainly used by oil and gas field workers. They keep track of continual data such as the number of pipes inserted into an oil well drilling rig. They have a weather proof vinyl covering. They are small enough to fit into your pocket, and be available constantly. Some of the new ones come with “stone pads”. They are waterproof and tear proof. They are a great improvement over paper pads. But pipe tally books can be used for any kind of writing. Here are 5 silly and odd uses. How many more can you come up with?

  1. Composing a music score for a Broadway show.
  2. Doodling while you are sitting on a jury.
  3. Writing love letters to all your girlfriends overseas while at your best friend’s wedding.
  4. Keeping track of your dairy cows medical care.
  5. Writing police reports you read in the newspaper.
If you post the best addition to this list by the end of October 2017, I’ll send you a free sample tally book. (USA address only)

7 Secret Features of Custom Tally Books

Pipe Tally Book CR5
Custom Tally Books

7 Secrets yes, but only secret until you read this post. Custom tally books are essential tools for people who work in:

  • Oil fields
  • Gas fields
  • Forestry
  • Mining
  • Drilling
  • Any job that requires continual field recording of data

When you order custom tally books, you usually want your company logo and phone number on them. Here are the “secret” options that are available:

  1. Inside printing. Printing on the inside part of the vinyl cover.
  2. Stone pad instead of paper pad. This marvelous material can’t tear, and it is water resistant. Perfect for outdoor jobs in any weather.
  3. Pen loop. Don’t want to carry your pen separately? Why not have a custom vinyl pen loop built into your pipe tally book?
  4. Clear inserts. These fit into the front or back cover, on the inside, so you can insert up to 6 pages of your choosing.
  5. Junior size book, only 6″ high, instead of 8 5/16″ high. Some people prefer the junior size.
  6. Colored vinyl border, as shown in this picture. the vinyl border and your imprint are both protected with a clear vinyl cover.
  7. Stock pictures, to add a flair to your oilfield pipe tally books. Or, you can have your own picture printed in the background.

7 Quick Tips About Pipe Tally Books

  1. Pipe Tally Books are not just for people working with pipes.Image result for girl in hard hat
    I Use Pipe Tally Books At Work
  2. They are for people who need to continually record data in the field. Data that needs to be entered by hand, with a pen, in columns, and safely kept in your pocket, away from rain and dirt.
  3. Tally Books are used by contractors, architects, surveyors, electricians, estimators, truckers, botanists, environmentalists, loggers, railroaders, and geologists.

    3410-Jr Tallybook.jpg Tally Book Junior 3410

  4. They are custom made to show off your logo and artwork. Simple one color imprints or full color imprints are possible. Waterproof stone pads are optional. Pen loops and pocket inserts are optional also.
  5. Your choice of vinyl color will be made into the cover.
  6. Stock art is available, or you may furnish your own high resolution full color photos.

    3400-3410-CR5.jpg Stock Art- Oil Rig Tally Book 3400CR5

  7. Various pad sizes and styles are available. Sewn pad, Junior size, Full size, flexible cover, wire bound books, tri-fold, and steno style books are options.