6 Common Misconceptions About The Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

W906PDC Diameter Tape
W906PDC Diameter Tape

The Pipe diameter tape measure is often misunderstood, and often unheard of. That’s because most people don’t need one. But if you understand what it can do, you would probably use one.

  1. It’s too hard to use. False. All you do it wrap it around the pipe and read the diameter right off the tape.
  2. It’s too bulky to carry in my pocket. False. Many are no bigger than 1 1/2 inches square, and 1/4 ” thick.
  3. I can’t find any at the hardware store. False. Try an online store. They are out there.
  4. It’s not accurate. False. The simple pocket Lufkin diameter tape is accurate to the 100th of an inch of diameter.
  5. It’s no better than using a regular tape and dividing by pi. False. Due to the calibration and the location of the zero mark, it is made specifically to measure pipe diameters.
  6. It is not useful for the everyday person. False. You can measure the diameter of a tree, a hose in your car or boat, your furnace pipe, or plumbing in your home. Want to find out the diameter of that water pipe in your basement, so you can replace it? And you don’t want to cut it to measure it? Use a Pipe diameter tape measure.
Diameter Tape w606pmc
Diameter Tape w606pmc

How to Measure the Diameter of a Pipe

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

If you need to know the outside diameter of a pipeline, and don’t have an exposed end, this is how you do it. Please click here for a short 2 minute video on this easy task. Let the Lufkin diameter tape do the work for you. There’s no need to use a bulky caliper or micrometer. There is also no need to divide the circumference by pi. A simple pocket-sized diameter tape is all you need. Here is How to measure the diameter of a pipe.

pi symbol
pi symbol

 

 

 

 

Who Uses A Pipe Diameter Tape Measure?

W616AC Diameter Tape Measure
W616AC Diameter Tape Measure

Most people never heard of a pipe diameter tape measure. But some people use them every day in their job. Who are these people?

  • Plumbers
  • Oil and gas drillers
  • Pipe fitters
  • Car Mechanics
  • Boat repair Mechanics
  • Water department workers
  • Oil line pipe repair men
  • Gas line pipe repair men
  • Tree people, arborists
  • Foresters
  • Tree nurserymen

    W906PDC Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape
    W906PDC Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape

What Can A Pipe Diameter Tape Measure Do For You?

W616PDC Lufkin Diameter Tape, 100ths
W616PDC Lufkin Diameter Tape, 100ths

The best short answer to this question is:

  1. It finds the diameter of a pipe or pipeline.
  2. It finds the circumference of a round (or oval) object.

A Pipe diameter tape measure is an oil and gas pipeline man’s best friend. Those who drill oil and gas wells find a diameter tape a necessity. It retracts and fits in your pocket. It’s ready to use all the time. No calculations or calibrations are necessary. All you do is wrap it around the pipe and read the diameter off the diameter scale.

If you need the circumference of the pipe, just wrap it around the pipe and read off the circumference scale.

W906PDC Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape
W906PDC Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape

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