Cheap-Ass Tools: A Ring Sizing Stick
By Chuck Cage
Evan writes: “I don’t really want to submit this as a good tool, but I think it’s time for another installment of ‘Why the hell is this at the tool store?’ from Harbor Freight. I found this in the ‘miscellaneous hand tools’ section on the website.”
While I’d agree that HF sells their share of weird crap — their frog family statue comes to mind — a ring sizer can be handy, and even essentialy for jewelry makers. Truthfully, this is the kind of tool that I’d imagine hanging out in the shop of a real toolaholic – the kind of guy who has a tool for everything, leaving nothing to chance.
And at $4, I might just pick me one up the next time I’m in the store.
Ring Sizing Stick [Harbor Freight]
February 21st, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I don’t remember what size my wedding ring is, so at $4 maybe this would be worth tacking on to a normal HF order. Also, with some simple mathematical conversions it could be a means to measure all sorts of holes.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:49 pm
You are better off buying a steel ring mandrel (and a bracelet mandrel!) - you can use it for all sorts of metal forming jobs as well as for sizing rings. An aluminum mandrel (like the HF) is really only good for checking ring size, not actually modifying it.
If you were doing rings on the lathe, this would be a good tool to modify as a mandrel for holding them though…
Their “Doming Block and Punch Set” is a great deal, even if the finish is substandard though…
Jewelers supply catalogs are a great way to find tools that are unobtainable elsewhere, or are just high priced common tools sold to the ignorant jeweler…same goes for gunsmithing catalogs…
February 21st, 2007 at 8:37 pm
You know, I stand corrected — and thankful my fellow Toolmongers haven’t disowned me already. This actually could be a very handy tool! And I agree with Chuck it’s not particularly asinine compared with the frog family or that Sudoku game that always pops up.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I could do without this item.
February 22nd, 2007 at 1:28 am
Ummm, They actually sell a whole kit with a plastic sizing stick, steel stretcher & a mallet, I bought one a few months ago…
toolaholic? I prefer tool-whore!