THREAD GAUGING TECHNIQUES

API Tubing and Casing

Threads
Connection Thread Styles
Straight Threads
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
EUE External Upset Tubing

NUE Non-Upset Tubing

BTC Buttress Casing
API Connection Names
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
STC Short Thread Casing

LTC Long Thread Casing
Datum
Purpose: Join two pieces of pipe together to produce a gas tight seal
API Specification 5B covers all Tubing and Casing dimensions
There are two types of pipe sizes
Tubing sizes: 1 4
Casing sizes: 4 20
There are two cone angles or tapers
All 8-round threads are Taper Per Foot (TPF)
Buttress sizes 4- 13 are 1 TPF
Buttress sizes 16- 20 are 1 TPF
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
What are Tubing & Casing Threads
There are no lock washers or jam nuts on tapered threads to lock them together
The pin and box tapered threads interfere and allow them to form a seal when
torqued together as the flanks of the threads compress against each other.
However, a clearance remains between the crests and roots of the threads,
resulting in a helical leak path
Thread compounds or pipe dope plug up this helical path to produce a seal
under high pressures
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
How Threads Lock Up and Seal
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
8R Thread Form
Datum
Datum A Datum B
Datum
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
What is a Datum Plane?
Datum Plane- a starting point or reference location. Also referred to as
the face or end of pipe.
Request the product thread drawing
Verify the thread form is correct
Verify the threading insert is correct for the thread on the drawing
Request a gage set up report
List all the gage serial numbers used to inspect the part
Verify the ball contact sizes are correct
Set the gages to a zero on a calibrated standard
Thread the part and start the inspection
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
How do we get started?
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
TDWIN TAPER Drawing 7 LTC Pin
Set using a Standard
Double-check your zero setting
Measure the part
Compare the standard to the machined lead
Thread Lead Inspection with an LG-5002
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Note: Lead setting standards designs are based on the taper of the connection.
Measuring the part
The LG-5002 measures the same way on the
part as on the standard.

1. Place the fixed ball contact in the first full
depth thread.
2. Move the fixed ball back one thread and
check again.
3. Record your measurement for comparison.
Thread Height Inspection
Set using a setting standard
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
8 Round thread height = .072125
10 Round thread height = .05560
Buttress TPF thread height = .0620
Buttress 1TPF thread height = .0620
The TH-3002 is used the same
way on the part as on the
standard.

1. Measure only within the
perfect thread length. Perfect
thread length is labeled L2
on the product drawing.

2. Align the gage base parallel
to the thread axis and tilt the
base back and forth to obtain
the lowest reading.

3. Record your measurement.
Double check your zero setting
Measure the part
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Zero the dial on the first thread.
Do not lock the bezel clamp!
Pin Taper Inspection with an ET-7000
To inspect, move the gage up the taper 1
(8-round = 8 threads, Buttress = 5 threads)

After moving back 1 up the taper, double-check
your radial position of the gage to the part or chuck

API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
MRP-2001 is preset to size by the use
of A & B Rod Standards

The MIC TRAC can be used instead of
the standards
Pin PD Inspection with the MRP-2001
(Crest Cone Diameter Inspection)
B
Standard
A Standard
The MRP Shoe makes contact with the
crest cone
While holding the gage against the
part face, sweep left and right to find
the largest indicator value. Then,
rotate the gage 90 and repeat
LARGE
READING
SMALL
READING
Largest and smallest indicator readings provide data for calculating Average Cone
Diameter (ACD) and Thread Ovality. They both use the same data but calculate
the readings in different ways.
(Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter) = ACD
2
Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter = Ovality
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Ovality
+.005 -.010 .015
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Averaged
Diameter
+.005 -.010 -.0025
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Ovality
-.005 -.010 .005
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Ovality
-.015 +.001 .016
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Averaged
Diameter
-.005 -.010 -.0075
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Averaged
Diameter
-.015 +.001 -.007
Ovality
How egg-shaped or out of round
the pipe is
What do you do with the MRP readings?
Average Cone Diameter
The diameter of the part would be,
if it were round
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
LARGE
READING
SMALL
READING
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Averaged
Diameter
+.005 -.010 -.0025
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Averaged
Diameter
+.005 -.005 .000
Average Cone Diameter is the distance across the face of the pipe or coupling.

Determining the round diameter of a connector requires locating the largest and the smallest
diameter readings on the part and taking the average of these two readings.
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Average Cone Diameter
LARGE
READING
SMALL
READING
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Total
Ovality
+.005 -.010 .015
Largest
Diameter
Smallest
Diameter
Total
Ovality
+.005 -.005 .010
Thread Ovality is the amount of out-of-roundness in a piece of pipe or a coupling.
Determining ovality requires locating the largest and the smallest diameter readings
on the part and adding the smallest reading to the largest reading. The ovality is the
difference between these values. Ovality readings are always positive (no sign
attached).
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Thread Ovality
Thread Form Inspection
TP-8R Profile inspecting pin and coupling thread. Always check the first starting thread.
Remember: When deburring the thread with a flapper wheel, burrs can be rolled into the thread groove.
When the connections are made up on the rig, burrs will cause galling.
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Pin Length Inspection
L2
L4
Always keep the scale
parallel to the pipe axis.

(Note: A digital depth gage can be used in
place of a scale.)
L2=Perfect thread length.
Crest of thread must have a
full radius top.

L4=Last scratch length.
15 Minute
Break
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Coupling Threads
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Datum A Datum B


API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Request the product thread drawing
Verify the thread form is correct
Verify the threading insert is correct for the thread on the drawing
Request a gage set up report
List all the gage serial numbers used to inspect the part
Verify the ball contact sizes are correct
Set the gages to a zero on a calibrated standard
Thread the part and start the inspection
How do we get started?
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
TDWIN TAPER Drawing 7 LTC Coupling
Coupling Thread Lead Inspection with an LG-5002
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Remember: Each different taper requires a different lead setting standard
Set to zero using a standard
Measure the part
Double check your zero setting
The LG-5002 measures the same way on the
part as on the standard.

1. Place the fixed ball contact in the first full
depth thread.
2. Move the fixed ball back one thread and
check again.
3. Record your measurement for
comparison.
Coupling Thread Height Inspection with a TH-3006
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Thread Heights: 8-Round = .0721
Buttress = .0620
Set to zero using a standard
The TH-3006 is used the same way on the part as on the
standard.

1. Align the gage parallel to the thread axis.
2. Lift up and down to obtain the lowest reading.
3. Record your measurement.
Double check your zero setting
Measure the part
Coupling Taper Inspection with an IT-6000
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Zero the dial on the first thread.
Do not lock the bezel clamp!
Note the radial location of the gage
to the part or chuck.
(6 or 12 oclock is best)
To inspect, move the gage down
the taper 1 or:

8 threads for 8-round
5 threads for Buttress

After moving 1 down the taper,
double check your radial position of
the gage to the part or chuck.
MRP-2002 is preset to size with the
use of A & B Rod Standards

The MIC TRAC can be used instead
of rod standards.
Coupling PD Inspection with an MRP-2002
(Crest Cone Diameter Inspection)
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
B
Standard
A
Standard
While holding the gage against
the part face, sweep left & right
to find the largest indicator value

Rotate the gage 90 and repeat
The Average Cone Diameter and Thread Ovality are calculated the
same for the coupling as for the pin

Refer to the previous slides for more detail
LARGE
READING
SMALL
READING
(Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter) = ACD
2
Largest Diameter - Smallest Diameter = Ovality
Ovality
How egg-shaped or out of round
the pipe is
MRP Reading Refresher
Average Cone Diameter
The diameter the pipe would be,
if it were round
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Coupling Length Inspection
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Coupling Length
(NL)
NL/2
Q
Q is measured from the
coupling face to the start of
the 35 chamfer.

Always keep the scale
parallel to the coupling
axis.
NL/2 = the coupling
length.

NL = Length of coupling.
API Tubing and Casing Tapered Threads
Gage Manuals and Posters
On-Site Training Seminars
Training Videos
Gagemaker Thread Inspection