Tag: diameter tape

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.

Diameter Tape Measures Salute “World Standards Day”

Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape Measure
Lufkin Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

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.

 

The Diameter Tape Measure: A Calculator Without Batteries

Diameter Tape Measure Does The Calculating For You
A Diameter Tape Measure Does The Calculating For You

Why do we call the diameter tape measure a calculator? Because when you wrap it around the circumference of a pipe or a post, it “calculates” the outside diameter instantaneously. It’s a calculator that never slows down because it doesn’t use batteries. The special scale is in inches or millimeters, and it is stretched out by the factor of pi (3.14159). That’s how it does it for you.

Diameter Tape Measure Does The Calculating For You
There’s No Need to Divide By pi

 

 

Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers About the Diameter Tape Measure

The select few people that need to use a diameter tape measure have questions before they order. Here are the top 10:

10 Answers About the Diameter Tape Measure
10 Answers About the Diameter Tape Measure
  1. How soon can we have them? 2 to 3 weeks is the production time.
  2. Can you print our logo in full color? Yes.
  3. What kind of art file do you need?  .eps and .ai files are the best art files. If you don’t have those, just give us a high resolution art file, and we can convert it.
  4. Will the imprint last forever? Yes
  5. Where is it made? The vinyl labels are made in the USA, and the tapes are made in Mexico or China.
  6. Is the case strong? Yes. It is very strong.
  7. Is the zero mark at the very end of the tape? The zero mark on a diameter tape needs to be away from the end, for easy use.
  8. Can you print on both sides of the case? Yes, but only on some brands.
  9. How big of a pipe can you measure? That depends on the brand of tape. Some are 23″. Some go as high as 38″ diameter.
  10. Does it come in a gift box? Yes. Each brand has a different type of box.

The Pipe Diameter Tape Measure That’s the Black Sheep of the Family

The pipe diameter tape measure that is frequently overlooked, has more to offer than all the others.

This forgotten child gives you the outside diameter of a pipeline in both inches

The Black Sheep of Pipe Diameter Tape Measures
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.

Pi-Cobra Diameter Tape, Metric & Inch Pi-Cobra Diameter Tape, Metric & Inch

How Would You Survive Without Your Pipe Diameter Tape Measure?

A New Use for a Pipe Diameter Tape Measure
A New Use for a Pipe Diameter Tape Measure

Your pipe diameter tape measure is probably the most valuable and simplest tool in your toolbox. It will tell you the outside diameter of a pipeline (or your arm) when you wrap it around the circumference. What if you lost your pipe tape? How would you measure the diameter of a pipe or any round object?

  • Use a regular tape measure, if it is flexible enough to wrap around the pipe. A carpenter’s tape is made to stay stiff, so it won’t work in this case. Since the end hook won’t let you lay the zero mark against the pipe, you would have to start at the 1 or 2 inch mark. Read the circumference and divide by 3.14159. That’s a lot of trouble.
  • Use an expensive caliper, transfer the reading to a measuring tape, perhaps, then divide by pi. That’s a clumsy way of doing it.
  • Get a real expensive micrometer. Since they have a narrow range of measuring (1 inch), it would have to be a certain size to begin with. Then measure the diameter directly. Reading the markings on a micrometer is not the easiest thing to do. You have to read the shaft measurement, then add the tumbler measurement to it.

So, hang on to your pipe diameter tape measure and it will save you a lot of trouble.

3 Mysteries of the Diameter Tape Measure

Mysteries of the Diameter Tape Measure
Mysteries of the Diameter Tape Measure

The diameter tape measure easily figures the diameter of a pipe or pipeline. All you have to do is wrap it around the pipe, and read off the diameter. Here are its mysteries..

    1. Why is the “zero” mark not at the beginning of the tape? It is a couple inches away from the beginning of the tape.
    2. Why does the end of the tape have a “loop” instead of a “hook”?
    3. Why are some calibrated in 100ths of an inch, and some in 64ths of an inch, and some in millimeters?

     

ANSWERS:

  1. By having the zero mark away from the beginning of the tape, you can easily line up the other part of the tape to the zero mark.
  2. Since zero is not at the end of the tape, there is no need to have a hook there. What is helpful, is to have a metal loop to hold onto, when wrapping the tape around the pipe.
  3. Different strokes for different folks. Automotive repair people prefer the 64ths of an inch calibration. Oilfield people prefer the 100ths of an inch version. And of course, some people use the metric system of measurement.

 

How Would Your Customer Use A Diameter Tape Measure?

Let me count the ways…

  1. His car heater hose needs replaced. He uses your diameter tape measure to find what size to buy, before he actually removes the old hose.
  2. Your customer is a plumber, and needs to know the outside diameter of a pipe, so he can get a new pipe before he disconnects the old one.
  3. Your customer is an HVAC installer, and needs to know the diameter of a galvanized pipe so he can buy more, to finish the job.
  4. He has a boat, and needs to buy a new bilge hose before he removes the old one.

    Want To Know The Diameter of Your Arm?
    Want To Know The Diameter of Your Arm?
  5. Your customer sells trees from his nursery. He wants to pick out the trees that are at least 2 inches in diameter, so he can dig them and offer them for sale as 2″ trees.
  6. Your customer wants to keep track of the diameter of her biceps, as she is in a fitness program.

So, to advertise your company logo on a gift item, try a diameter tape measure.