Why Are Pipe Diameter Tape Measures So Scarce?

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

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.

Celebrate National Tape Measure Day With a Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

A sturdy 25' Gripper Tape Measure — A sturdy 25′ Gripper Tape Measure

July 14 is National Tape Measure Day in the United States. We don’t know who started this, but it does exist, according to NationalDayCalendar.com. A patent was obtained on July 14, 1868 by Alvin J. Fellows of New Haven Connecticut. It was for improvements in tape measures. We don’t know what the improvements were. Today’s best tape measures are a flexible steel tape in a durable metal case, with a retractable feature and a belt clip. Smaller pocket tapes are very popular, too, like the Barlow 6 foot tape measure.

The most intriguing tape is the Pipe diameter tape measure. It measures the

Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape Measures — Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

diameter of a round object like a tree or pipeline, when you wrap it around the circumference. It eliminates the need to divide by pi (3.14159).

Today, tape measures are so inexpensive, that it pays to have one in your tool box, tool belt, garage, vehicles, and house, and boat.

The Importance of the Diameter Tape Measure

Ask any Arborist. Ask any oilfield worker. They will tell you how vital a diameter tape measure is to their jobs.

Using Diameter Tape Measures On A Tree — Using Diameter Tape Measure On A Tree

An Arborist needs to quickly determine the diameter of a tree, because he probably has to do this to another thousand trees. He uses this measurement to determine the amount of wood contained in the tree, so it can be sold for the wood content. For convenience and speed, he measures the diameter at the height of his chest. Diameter breast high (DBH) is the term used for this height. A tree diameter tape has a hook at the beginning, so the user can attach it to the bark, walk around the tree, and have the tape meet the zero mark. He reads the number on the tape, which is the diameter in inches.

An oilfield worker doesn’t need a hook on the end of his diameter tape measure.

Pi-Cobra Diameter Tape Measure- Metric & Inch

He just cleans off the pipeline and wraps the tape around it. The answer is shown on the tape where it lines up to the zero mark. It’s important to him because he needs to know how much oil or gas the pipe can carry. Also, if a fitting needs replaced or modified, he needs to order the right size. Diameter tapes are a vital part of the oil and gas business.

Diameter Tape Measures: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

THE GOOD:

They make quick work out of finding the outside diameter of a pipeline.
The pocket size version easily fits in your pocket, and is ready when you are.
The hard metal case protects the tape, and preserves it for a long life.
Most of them come in an attractive gift box.
Your full color logo looks great on the side of a diameter tape measure.

THE BAD:

They ain’t cheap (and they ain’t too expensive either)
They walk away when someone else thinks they need them more than you do.
The production time is 2 to 3 weeks, with your logo.

THE UGLY:

When you need a metric diameter tape, and all you have is an inch one.
When the tape goes up to 38 inches in diameter, and your pipeline is bigger than that.
The Ugly Side of Diameter Tapes

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.

Latest News on the Lufkin Diameter Tape Measure Shortage

Lufkin Diameter Tape Measures are In Sight.

Since December 1, 2021, the Lufkin Diameter Tape Measure has disappeared from all retail shelves. Why? I am guessing it is because of the widespread supply chain issues. Every industry has been affected by this problem in 2021. The procurement of steel has been a problem, according to “Cheddar News” on October 18, 2021. The price of steel has also gone up.

The good news is here:

We expect to receive inventory of the Lufkin Diameter Tape Measure in April 2022. We plan to fill the back orders that have piled up since December soon. There are Chinese diameter tapes available now, but many customers would rather wait for the beloved Lufkin tapes.

Diameter Tape Measure for “Safe Toys and Gifts Month”

December is National “Safe Toys and Gifts Month”. It’s time to focus on safety when you buy gifts for your friends and relatives. One of the safest tools for young and old is the diameter tape measure. I know, who needs one. Don’t laugh,

because more people than you think, can use a diameter tape measure in their daily activities. Here is a short list:

Auto mechanics
Boat mechanics
Tree survey people
Plumbers
HVAC workers
Electricians

So, why is it a safe tool?

There are no parts small enough to choke on.
It has no harmful chemical additives.
It does not emit harmful radiation.

So next time you are looking for a safe gift for your auto mechanic or electrician, consider a diameter tape measure.

Diameter Tape Measures Salute “World Standards Day”

Today is International “World Standards Day”. We salute the experts around the world to take on the tasks of standardizing our calendars, clocks, volume measurements, and even Diameter tape measures. They provide for the efficient manufacturing and functioning of our planet. The metric system of CGS (centimeter, gram, second) and MKS (meter, kilogram, second) is the one used by all scientists and the residents of most countries. The Imperial system (inch, pound, second) is used in America, along with the metric system. Many of the packages in America use both systems.

Diameter tape measures are still made for each system, out of necessity. So, there are “2 standards”. Although most users prefer the metric system, a few Americans prefer the inch system. Even the “inch” diameter tape has 2 alternatives.

Diameter in 100ths of an inch. This one is used more than the next one. It’s also easier to read, without having to convert to a fraction system. This one is strictly decimal. This makes the results easier to use in your other computations.
Diameter in 64ths of an inch. This tape reads how many 64th of an inch the diameter is, if not precisely an even inch. You have to figure in your head that 48 64ths is really 3/4. And 56 64ths is really 7/8.

Pipe Diameter Tape Measures Are Popular During National Construction Appreciation Week

The 3rd full week in September was “National Construction Appreciation Week” in the USA. It’s not a very old week. It was instigated in 2018 by “I Build America”, which was started in 2016. Mike Rydin, the CEO of HCSS came up with the idea to call attention to all the people who help build this great country. I’m sure many of them have used pipe diameter tape measures in their work. Plumbers and electricians are the most likely tradesmen that use them. Without a doubt, Lufkin makes the best diameter tapes.

Answers to the Top 10 Questions Asked About Diameter Tape Measures

Here are my concise answers about the diameter tape measures..

Most of the pocket diameter tapes are 6 feet long. But the length isn’t really what they are all about. They are not designed to measure length. They measure diameter by wrapping them around the pipe circumference. See answer 4 for a more specific answer.
These tools make it easy for you. You wrap them around the pipe and read off the diameter.
These are pocket tapes. Their size makes them convenient, but they are not traceable to the NBS.
They can measure up to 23 inch diameter pipes. Some go as high as 38 inches in diameter.
Production time is about 3 weeks after you approve a proof.
Yes.
Vector art is the best for this process. That means an eps or ai file are recommended. If you have other types of art, we can convert them.
The inch ones are calibrated to 100ths of an inch, 64ths of an inch, or to one millimeter.
Pi-Cobra tapes are made in China. The Lufkin ones are currently made in Mexico. All are imprinted in the USA.
Sorry, we don’t repair them.

Category: Pipe Diameter Tapes