Milwaukee recently came out with a new pipe diameter tape measure, 48-22-1006.
It resembles their convenient keychain-sized tape measure, but it’s very different in many ways.
The new Milwaukee pipe diameter tape measure has a similar housing, with 5-point reinforced body for durability.
Advertisement
It features a keychain clip and magnetic back, giving users flexible options in how they keep the tape measure close and easily accessible during fabrication work.
Milwaukee says it can be stored on belts, keychains, and directly on iron pipes and other ferromagnetic surfaces.
There are 2 scales – a go/no-go gauge for use during roll grooving applications, and a diameter scale in inches with hundredths markings.
Here’s a look at both scales.
I’m not very familiar with roll grooving, but to my understanding there’s a sweet spot where the cut depth isn’t too shallow or too deep. That’s where the go/no-go scale and gauge comes in handy.
As with other types of go/no-go gauges, you don’t necessarily need an exact measurement, you only need a qualitative assessment.
Advertisement
The diameter scale measures pipe diameter by circumference, which can be quicker and more accurate than with other methods.
As you might recall, the circumference or a circle or cylinder is equal to its diameter x pi. Thus, if you have a circumference of say 6.28″, you know that the diameter is 2″.
With that in mind, it means that the hundredths markings are around 0.0314″ apart, or close to 1/32″ (0.03125).
This tape measure helps to eliminate pipe diameter guesswork.
- 6.5ft tape blade length
- Go/no-go gauge
- Diameter scale with 1/100 resolution
Price: $120
Discussion
How much?! I know… I thought the same too. It’s not an error.
I asked Milwaukee about this, and they brought up a couple points. First, there aren’t a lot of tape measures like this one on the market today.
I found a couple of pipe diameter tapes, but there’s really just one other brand that offers go/no-go tapes for pipe grooving applications, and it’s even more expensive.
Milwaukee’s tape has a durable body with overmold, convenient storage options, and high contrast white blade with durable protection longer.
A big part of the reason for the high price point is because this style of tape is very sensitive because of the accuracy and blade shape required.
Basically, the double-sided flexible blade, small scale accuracy, and go/no-go accuracy contribute to the higher price.
As far as I can see, this is a solution that should make roll grooving measurement checks a little easier.
Given what it can do, and how much it costs, consider this a specialty tool. If you just want to measure pipe diameters, there are less expensive options out there.
Matthew C
As someone who has used similar tools before, generally called pi tapes, the price is high, but not out of the realm of possibility. These are pretty roll grooving specific with the go/no go, but pi tapes are really useful in a lot of other applications. I’ve used them when setting up and aligning machines, playing millwright. When you need to make sure two rollers are aligned you can put these tapes around both and see the measurements, differences mean misalignment. Often times there is even loops at the end for spring scales to prevent overtightened tapes from reading off measurement. A cool, albeit expensive tool
fred
i was thinking along similar lines. Milwaukee is set to release cordless roll groovers – so why not have a tape measure to compliment them? You can pre-order both roll-groovers at Acme:
https://www.acmetools.com/milwaukee-m18-fuel-ringer-roll-groover-kit-for-2-inch-6-inch-sch-10-40-2928-22/S0000000090039.html
https://www.acmetools.com/milwaukee-m18-fuel-ringer-roll-groover-kit-for-1-1-4-inch-4-inch-sch-10-40-6-inch-sch-10-2927-22/S0000000089819.html
Nathan
I was going to say the accuracy and repeatability for the tape makes it difficult to produce and guarantee accuracy over the span. Surprised this is 6ft honestly.
And I bet they sell less than 1000 in a year. Ok maybe 2000
Looks like a good device but I don’t pipe roll
MM
It’s pricey. I think this only makes sense if you really need that go/no-go feature for grooving specifically. Ordinary diameter measuring tapes or “pi tapes” have been a thing for decades. Sure, they are less common than standard tape measures but I don’t think they are that rare, and they are not necessarily expensive. There are several industries that use those: plumbing/pipefitting, timber, tire shops/automotive, millwrights, etc, and they’re available in various sizes & styles.
Jared
When I saw the pictures of a tiny tape measure just for pipe, I thought – “maybe I’ll get one, just to have around”, but at $120 – that is clearly not the idea. While it looks like a keychain tape, obviously it’s a whole different kind of thing.
Scott K
I had the same reaction. I think the keychain feature makes a lot of sense but it detracts from the seriousness (in my opinion). There have been a very small number of times where a tape that can easily measure circumference would have been handy – clearly this isn’t the ideal tool for that.
MM
Small ones that are reasonably priced, just without the go/no-go feature for grooving, do exist. For example:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crescent-Lufkin-6-56-ft-6mm-x-2m-Executive-Diameter-Pocket-Tape-Measure-W606PM/203928218?
fred
We used ones from Wheeler-Rex:
https://www.amazon.com/WHEELER-REX-English-Measure-Diameter-Circumference/dp/B00D7SJS50
Matt_T
The Stanley 33-115 is the cheapest name brand diameter tape I’ve seen. It’s $6.69 on zoro and should be under $10 anywhere.
Nate
Wait, what? Diameter tapes are an established thing. I just bought some a few weeks ago. Got a DCT79 for $5 and a DAL120 for $12. Reasonable prices for reasonable tapes, they’re sort of a niche product but they’re not like, gold-plated or whatever.
They only calculate the diameter and don’t have the go/nogo gauge, but that’s not relevant to my application anyway. Highly recommended to anyone with mere-mortal budgets.
fred
I inherited what is called a “tinner’s circumference ruler ” that does the math for you. Mine dates back to when Lufkin was an independent company – and the price was probably a small fraction of what Apex wants for one today:
https://www.toolfetch.com/Lufkin-954FTN-1-1-4-X-4-Tinners-Steel-Circumference-Rule?srsltid=AfmBOopXmCj5HQX_5w3J7uKvxnK744dAIGHg0p4_kBUv5_ZjjtGnsyYA
James
We often measure the diameter of large water softeners and filters by measuring the circumference, and we have a basic ribbon tape for that ($15 on Amazon) and then divide by pi.
I carry the little Milwaukee keychain tape on my troubleshooting tool bag and it has been great so far (maybe 3-4 years). My thought was that this would be a cool addition to the bag, but not at that price….leave it to the sprinkler guys I guess. I don’t know if sprinkler installers are roll grooving – it’s just a guess – I never realized that it was done in the field before.
Robert
For that function and at that price point I would think accuracy would be important. But following the two links I could not find any information on the certified or claimed accuracy for the Milwaukee tape. I have a Starrett tape I bought some years ago with a certified accuracy of 1/32 for the first 3 feet, 1/16 after that.
Stuart
That must have been a long time ago. I checked just now, and the first tape I looked at (KTX1-25-N) had no accuracy disclosures. It’s not in Starrett’s product page or retailers’.
Are you referring to the graduations? This is discussed and shown in the post.
Robert
Stuart, not the graduations. Rather the overall measurement accuracy. So as an example, if I am measuring a 2.5 (2 & 16/32) foot cut point, in actuality it could be 2 & 15/32 to 2 & 17/32. (There is an inherent assumption the user is lining up the pencil with the graduations correctly.) If at 3.5 feet, then it could actually be 3 & 14/32 to 3 & 18/32 feet.
I bought the tape measure in 2021. I think through McMasters. I paid extra, it came with a signed letter from Starrett certifying the accuracy and citing specification GGG-T-106F.
Stuart
Starrett’s off-the-shelf tapes don’t have accuracy claims, or at least I can’t find any.
So you paid extra for a tape measure with NIST-traceable calibration certificate and are asking why this one doesn’t have that.
via McMaster, NIST-traceable calibrated pipe diameter tape measures start at $163. To get close to the same range as this one, you’d have to spend over $250, and you still wouldn’t get the go/no-go groove gauge.
If there’s a market for it, Milwaukee or a supplier can send a bunch off for NIST-traceable calibration that they’ll also charge extra for.
I’ve never heard of Milwaukee tape measures having accuracy problems, and I’ve never heard any plumber or other use lamenting that their Milwaukee tapes didn’t come with NIST traceable accuracy certificates or the upcharge that’s associated with that.
Is this a feature you want to pay more for?
Robert
Yes, for that price I would hope for a certification or conformance statement of acccurcy from the manufacturer. Though I admit I have no idea how costly it is to implement the Go-No Go function, I can’t even visually see it on the tape device.
JoeM
It’s a Specialty Tailor’s Tape, with extreme precision markings. It’s all the precision and specialized use that contribute to the price. I hope the body is made out of Titanium at that price, or the tape itself is… but specialized tools for precision always come with a high price tag. Getting something ridiculously accurate costs a lot of money to make. I can contest to that with Jeweller’s Tools. You’d think certain hand-held pin vices would be $10 at most, but no. They’re often $50-$100. When you get one in your hand, and see how fine the tightening threads are, and the Carbide and Brass pins you can use on it, how delicate this thing can be, you see where all that price comes into the equation.
I’m in the wrong industry, and part of my life, to need one of these tapes. But I do understand where the usage and cost come from. I’m also serious in that I hope there’s some Titanium involved in that tape, but despite what it seems, it’s not about justifying the price. It’s where it gets used that makes me hope they’ve built it with a durable, long-lasting metalic element to make sure such a delicate strip doesn’t get easily deformed, or damaged. At least if the casing is ultra durable, you don’t feel the fear that you need to buy a new one every year.
Christian Reed (REEKON)
Might be time to make a digital one and charge under $100 for it hmm
taras
As someone who uses one of these almost daily, thinking about it, a digital version would drive me nuts.
Christian Reed (REEKON)
hey Taras, why is that?
taras
Because the tape works very well in its simplicity, it’s relatively robust, offers multiple pieces of information with one action and one glance, and an accurate read is independent of the position of the tool/casing. It’s also a multi step process to use (measure stock pipe, groove pipe, then measure groove and check the flare). It can also be used without the need for power, as often outlets are rare.or.completley tied up in these environments.
It’s not a knock against digital measuring devices in general. I’m familiar with Reekon products, and do hold them in high regard as I do believe they are innovative tools. But those existing products simplify the process of being able to accurately measure material while also eliminatingsteps and/or streamlining the process.
My thinking is that a digital version of this would complicate the process. A Vic-tape is about 2″*2″*1/2″ in dimension. A small footprint. You would now need to house a battery, screen, and buttons, the required sensors/electronics, along with the physical tape. The footprint/volume for this tool has now just gotten bigger. These tapes measure groove depth, pipe diameter, and acceptable flare. Currently, taking a measurement is a quick, two handed process, and I can take all three measurements in less than 5 seconds without having to reset my hands or the tape. I see current tapes as tapping for payment, and a possible digital version as insert/PIN.
I see a digital version of this being a physically larger, less streamlined tool, complicating and slowing down the process (turn it on, toggle to function, then measure). The position of the case relative to the end of the tape would also matter, as such a tool uses the case as a reference point + tape pulled to get a measurement. So the case of the tape (or at least where it exists the case) would need to fit into the groove. To toggle between functions would mean that it would require one handed use, or a way to anchor the tape to be able to toggle functions.
Can an accurate digital version be made that provides all the functionality of current tapes? Most likely. Can it be as streamlined to use? That’s the big question. It would have to be similarly small (not much bigger), allow for one handed measurement (to be able to toggle between measurement functions), and have a way of taking the measurements that doesn’t rely on the case itself (the diameter/depth adjustments are graduated in 100ths of an inch, so a case would have to match the curvature of each size exactly to get an accurate read.
Now, there are definitely people out there smarter than I am that know how to solve these problems (you being one of them), so if it can be done, I’m pretty sure you can pull it off and if you have questions sand such, then I would love to help. I’m all for making better tools.
MM
In addition to what you mentioned, a plain metal tape is extremely robust and foolproof. Can the same be said about any electronics that are added? An electronic tape introduces new opportunities for failure–dead battery, dirt or moisture contamination, electrical failures, etc. Sometimes that additional complexity might be worthwhile, but I don’t know if that is the case here. I’m not sure what benefits a digital tape would provide over a plain one? Electronic calipers and angle gauges are faster to read than verniers. The Tomahawk tape measure offers extra functionality that a normal tape measure doesn’t’ have. There are benefits to those tools which can outweigh the disadvantages incurred by the electronics, at least for some situations. But I’m not sure what extra functionality the digital tape would offer that might provide justification to put up with that? The “analog” version is already very convenient and fast to use.
One other thing I like about the idea of the old-school tape is that it’s essentially foolproof. Either it works correctly or it’s completely and obviously broken. However, an electronic device introduces the possibility of a failure that is not obvious to the operator. I can forsee a failure mode in which a roller slips or an optical sensor is obscured by grime resulting in an inaccurate measurement which in turn would cause the device to reject a good grove or “go” a bad one. That possibility doesn’t exist with a traditional tape. I’m having a hard time imagining any room for improvement enough to offset the downsides of making it electronic. Maybe it beeps or flashes LEDs a certain way to indicate go/no-go? I guess that might be nice, but not nice enough in my mind to offset the reliability concerns.
taras
As someone who uses a roll groove tape multiple times a week, I can say that the cost is related to this being an uncommon specialty item, as well as the need for accuracy. I don’t see this as something that needs to be NIST certified, as you would only be certifying one half of the tape. The go/no-go side’s accuracy will be driven by the need to conform to existing equipment standards. If your tapes are not synchronized with the equipment you are installing, then no one will use them. These are often known as Vic-tapes, as Victaulic is who originated groove and shoulder piping. Gruv-lok and Shur-Joint also make their own tapes, as they also manufacture material. Each manufacturer’s tapes are slightly different. Everything is largely interchangeable between manufacturers, as it falls under ASTM standards, but they won’t warranty anything not installed as a uniform system, or if someone else’s tape was used for install.
This is not usually something that you would normally purchase as a standalone item, but is tossed in with larger orders of roll grooving material, or included with a groover. Milwaukee is probably tacking on a retail price because as a manufacturer with a large retail presence, they need to. It is something that will likely be included with their roll groovers as well. You would only need to purchase if you lose one, or you want employees to have their own personal tapes. I have 3 different types of groove tapes, for IPS steel, copper tubing, And large diameter steel piping. Multiples of some. None of these were purchased but were handed out by a Victaulic rep putting in face time on our sites.
Stuart
Thank you for sharing these insights!!
Al
Pricing is nonsense. Spencer logging tapes make the same measurement at a fraction of the cost – and have been made in USA for decades. This is not a novel tool to demand such pricing
David Z.
A quick look at these shows they lack the key feature of the Milwaukee, go-no go. As that has to be exacting and specific to the given diameter, the Milwaukee has to be particularly precise and accurate.
MatW
Here in canada, a vic tape is $125 at the wholesaler, but as mentioned above most of the time the victaulic rep will give some out on sites when your installing alot of their products. Obviously the Milwaukee one will be a bit more as that $120 would be in usd nod canadian. I love the idea of the magnet on the back to stick it to the power vice when you are grooving as vic tapes tend to get “lost” easily when your on a big site and have a bunch of people grooving pipe. It is an expensive but 100% needed tool for installing grooved pipe. In the image in Stuart’s article, you want the arrow to be in the black box like the image to be covered by victailics warranty, the lines on either side of it are the max and minimum that will allow the clamp to actually seal, and the big black box after all of that is the maximum flair that can be on the end of the pipe that is produced by the process of roll grooving. Steel pipe usually doesn’t flair out that much, but it’s really easy to flair out stainless and copper. I honestly think these tapes wouldn’t cost much to produce, they just charge so much for them as they are absolutely needed to groove pipe, and are really only good for that.