Durston 1301 Ring Stretcher & Reducer - 148.325

Durston 1301 Ring Stretcher & Reducer - 148.325

The Durston 1301 Ring Stretcher & Reducer is a professional-grade upright tool made in England for stretching and reducing plain wedding ring bands with precision and ease. Built for daily bench use, this sturdy unit requires no maintenance and delivers consistent results on non-ferrous metal bands.

The tool features a 6-spline stretching mandrel that expands on the upstroke of the handle, allowing smooth, controlled stretching of plain, non-stone-set wedding bands. The mandrel is marked in USA sizes 2 to 14 for quick reference during sizing work. A double-sided 16-hole band reducing plate is included, accommodating most popular domed-shaped bands for compression and reduction.

The base includes four mounting holes for securing the unit to a bench or worktable for added stability during use. Mounting hardware is not included.

For use with non-ferrous metals only (gold, silver, platinum, palladium, etc.). Not suitable for stretching or reducing steel bands. No instructions are included with this tool.

Features

• Upright ring stretcher and reducer design for bench-top use
• 6-spline mandrel expands on the upstroke for controlled band stretching
• Mandrel marked in USA ring sizes 2 to 14
• Double-sided 16-hole band reducing plate for domed-shaped bands
• Four base mounting holes for secure bench or worktable attachment
• No maintenance required
• Made in England

Specifications

Included

• Durston 1301 Ring Stretcher & Reducer
• 6-spline stretching mandrel
• Double-sided 16-hole band reducing plate

What our Experts Think

• Professional Dual-Function Ring Sizing Tool
  The Durston 1301 is designed to both stretch and reduce ring sizes accurately, making it essential for jewellery repair, resizing, and workshop production.
• Precision 6-Spline Mandrel System
  Uses a hardened 6-spline expanding mandrel to gradually stretch plain non-ferrous metal rings with controlled, even force—minimizing distortion.
• 16-Die Reduction Plate for Accurate Downsizing
  Includes a polished 16-hole reducing plate that allows controlled compression of bands up to 12mm width, ensuring consistent sizing results.
• Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Construction
  Built for long-term workshop use, the rigid frame provides stability and durability under repeated pressure cycles.
• Gear-Assisted Effort Reduction
  Integrated mechanical advantage system reduces operator force, making stretching and reducing smoother and more controlled.
• Bench-Mounted Professional Design
  Secure mounting base ensures stability during use, which is critical for accuracy and safety in ring resizing work.
• Ideal for Jewellery Workshops
  Best suited for goldsmiths and repair specialists working with plain bands in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Q&A

Q: What is the Durston 1301 Ring Stretcher & Reducer (148.325)?
A: It is a professional manual ring sizing machine used in jewelry workshops to stretch or reduce plain metal rings with controlled pressure.

Q: What is it used for?
A: It is used to resize plain wedding bands and non-stone-set rings, allowing jewelers to increase or decrease ring size accurately without cutting or soldering.

Q: What metals can it work with?
A: It is suitable for gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and other non-ferrous metals, but not for steel or stone-set rings.

Q: How does it work?
A: It uses a 6-spline expanding mandrel for stretching and a multi-hole reducing plate for compression sizing, operated by a hand lever for controlled force.

Q: What is its main capability?
A: It can both increase and decrease ring sizes while maintaining roundness and structural integrity of plain bands.

Q: What is it designed for?
A: It is designed for professional jewelers and repair workshops that need fast, repeatable ring resizing.

Q: What is the main benefit of this tool?
A: It provides accurate, mechanical ring resizing without heat or cutting, making ring adjustments faster, cleaner, and more consistent in a workshop setting.

Maintenance Tips

• Keep mandrel and dies clean – Remove metal dust after every use to prevent scoring on the spline mandrel and reducing plate surfaces
• Light oil on steel parts – Apply a thin anti-rust coating on the mandrel and frame when idle; always wipe fully before use to avoid contaminating rings
• Check die plate seating – Ensure the 16-hole reducing plate sits flat and locked to maintain accurate sizing and prevent binding
• Avoid forcing rings – Use gradual pressure only; excessive force can cause rings to jam or distort on spline mandrels
• Secure bench mounting – Always bolt the unit firmly before use to prevent movement during leverage operations
• Use only non-ferrous metals – Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium only; harder metals can damage the mandrel and dies
• Inspect splines regularly – Look for wear or burrs on the 6-spline mandrel and polish lightly if needed for smooth travel
• Keep dry storage conditions – Prevent rust formation on precision steel components, especially in humid workshops
• Do not over-lubricate – Excess oil can contaminate rings and reduce grip during reduction operations