SE 13-Inch Polished Steel Ring Mandrel - Marked 1 to 16 US Sizes, Ungrooved, with Knurled Handle for Jewelry Making and Sizing - JT-SP2

I purchased it for figuring out the sizes of rings I am reselling. It’s kind of to heavy duty for what I need it for.Overall : Yes, I totally recommend it. The quality for the price exceeds my expectations.CONS:1. Ease of Use: it is extremely heavy and I seriously had to ask myself if I bought a police baton or a ring sizer. For what I need it’s uncomfortably heavy for simple measurements and I wouldn’t recommend it for folks with arthritis or tendinitis. I do however recommend it for someone feeling like they live in an unsafe environment.2. Design: Markings are not as a bold as I would like: Overall it does the job but I haven’t had it for three months yet used it a few times and the ink is fading that was used to make the numbers and lines. This is not a deal breaker since the numbers are etched in. I do wish that measurements lines went all the way around it instead of on one side.PROS:1. Quality: It’s all one piece solid steel so if I do need to reshape rings in the future it will come in handy. Will definitely need a soft hammer / mallet. It’s extremely well made.2. Ease of Use: Rings slip on and off easy and definitely sits perfectly on the measurement line (s). I wanted a sizer that can tell me the sizes of the smallest to largest ring sizes which it does so I am very happy with that! Also, even though it’s sooooo heavy, the handle is grooved for gripping which makes it easier to hold.3. Design: Since the measurement lines are etched in as well as the numbers, I feel confident over time that I don’t have to worry that I won’t be able to read it as the ink fades. I love that about this item! It was something I was looking for ring sizers as I researched them.4. Cost: Great product for the money! I got what I needed and didn’t want to spend more than $20. So I am very happy with the price it’s exceptional quality.

Couple of words about myself before the review. I am an engineer and jewelry making is my hobby over the last 35 years. I do all my fabrications from scratch making my own wire and sheet metal. In the past, I have ordered custom tools to be made to my specifications such as machined steel anvil, roller mill, mandrels and etc.I am pleasingly surprised by this mandrel and the following is my review:1). The surface is very well machined. Likely it was not subjected to the surface grinding, and lathe was the last tool touching it, but nevertheless it is more than acceptable. The surface is not over polished and edges are crisp.2). Both ends are flat. Nice knurl on the handle and good blackened finish.3). Quite accurate ring size markings (almost as good as on my Pepe mandrel). My digital caliper (with 0.01 mm precision) gave me readings about 0.1 mm less for each size than sizes published on Rio Grande site. I recommend to use sandpaper of 1000 grit to go over marking engravings to remove the edges on the engravings before usage. Markings become less visible but it is OK, because you do not want to transfer them to the inner surface of your ring.4). I like that it was made from non-stainless steel which might be hardened to a higher degree on Rockwell Scale (HRC) than stainless steel. But unfortunately, the seller did not publish the hardness range in HRC. I hope it is hardened but I do not know at which extent. Only time and usage will show if it was hardened enough. I will try to update my review in 6 months.5). It came nicely packaged in special plastic container which could be used for long term storage. There was some grease (sufficient) on the surface to prevent rust. I would recommend to use rubbing alcohol to remove factory grease and apply light oil to prevent rusting like you must regularly use on your all other tools - roller mills, anvils, pliers and etc.6). Price is more than reasonable - only $18Please, ignore negative reviews where people were complaining about bad smell grease (all factory used rust inhibitors will have some smell), claiming inaccurate markings by using plastic ring measuring band or cheap ring sizer sets which are very inaccurate on it's own, or people hitting the mandrel with the steel hammer and complaining of marred surface. Also, there is no lead in the steel mandrel is made of or the plastic packaging - please, use a little bit of common sense.Hope it was helpful.

Very good quality sizing rod. It is thick enough to hammer a ring on but might effect the size markings. Markings are very accurate. I have bought other mandrels in the past and they weren't accurate at all or some markings were dead on while other markings were off by a quarter to half size.

When I first looked at the mandrel I liked what I saw. It was clearly marked and was very nice. Then I started to measure rings. I found that the markings were rough and not easy to get good readings from. I decided to use 1000 grit wet or dry paper on the mandrel to try to reduce the roughness. It worked fairly well. the markings are not quite as clear as before, but they are just fine and easy to read. More important, is the fact that now when I slide a ring onto the mandrel, it goes smoothly up to it's size marking. I am now very happy with this purchase.

A tool that a professional could use

Works well!

Excellent quality. Best price. Fast shipping. Made to last.

The material is tough and may leave scuff marks, but works well for flattening tougher objects. IMO best used in combination with plastic mandrel. Not exactly what I wanted, but I’ll find a use.