What measuring tools do you use...

Trailboss has good suggestions. However, before you ask any questions over there, read everything and search all their threads, or they'll heap guano on your head for asking a question that s been asked before.

One note, the only measuring tool I use all the time is a dial caliper. They do inside, outside and depth measurement. Usually around 25 bucks.

No , I don't think that'll happen here.

Thanks, Frank! I have been watching said videos the last few days. They have been quite helpful.
I've decided that being limited in my tools is actually helping me by forcing me to get creative.
I have been doing everything by hand so far. Just using wood chisels and sandpaper to rid the block of areas that aren't pipe.

You are right about the pre-drilled block being limiting to the design. I almost screwed it up once already.

Haha thanks, bud.
Yes, I have definitely noticed that I appreciate having the extra time that comes with hand tools to check my work and let my ideas really brew before deciding on something.
Ive also decided that it being my first try, that even if I don't get something symmetrical or even worth looking at, it's still going to be well used.

Being disabled, these last 5 years have been very stressful. I have found a real peace of mind in pipe smoking and making.
I feel it slows me down and helps me appreciate the little things.

Chisels?   I advise against that.  Briar is not straight grained hardwood.

For hand tools, a dovetail saw works good for removing larger areas of scrap.  Past that rasps, files, Dremel, but not a chisel.

For the topic of measuring, ditto on the previously mentioned dial caliper.  

I also use circle templates to check for round.  Years and years ago, I learned mechanical drawing back before computers were used and it was all done manually.  From those days, I still has the plastic circle template sheet; several inches square with all sorts of different diameter circles cut in it.  Since I do all my shaping by hand or Dremel, sliding that circle template up and down the shank is a great way to check how I’m doing.  Similarily, around the bowl.

I'm not using a hammer and chisel. These are small hand chisels that don't take off any more than a razor blade or crafting knife.

I'm really looking forward to getting myself some calipers, but I have a next-to-nothing income due to my disability so it will be a good while before I can afford one. But it'll happen eventually.

Until then, I am really enjoying taking my time and letting the wood tell me what to do. It will probably be quite asymmetrical, but I'm ok with whatever it becomes. I'm learning a lot. 

Thanks to everyone for posting. I appreciate every last word. 

The trick will be to find a drill chuck to fit the motor shaft, so no can swap out disks.

That's  why it'll  be a trick. I did find one years ago. I think from Eastwood. Lousy chuck, but for holding sanding disks, it's  ok.  Chucks can be had with a female threaded mount, but then you need a male thread to female straight shaft adapter, which requires a lathe.

john_r, harbor freight has some useful stuff, but a hard backed sanding disk and a short high speed belt are not very useful for pipes. Need soft backed disks and slack belts if a belt is to be used.

It's a slack belt sander. Belt not super tight, run at low rpm for control, long belt so you can get flex (slack) in it to follow contours. A lot of these are shop made.