Tungsten Jewelry

[M&P Freak]

I recently started wearing a ring that is made out of tungsten. It is very nice and I like the look of the material. The jeweler I purchased it from made a big deal about getting the size right as it is so hard it cannot be sized like other rings.

Over the weekend I was cleaning out rain gutters and was bitten by what I think was a spider. My trigger finger swelled up faster than Rosie O'Donnel at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Fortunately for me, this is not the finger that had the ring on it, but I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if it were.

How do you suppose a hospital would have removed the ring if I were not so - uh, lucky?

No shooting for me until the swelling goes down, not to mention the itching & burning sensations.

 

[doublesharp]

Instead of gimme five, it woulda been gimme four or maybe four an a half if you were lucky.

 

[M&P Freak]

From now on I'm sticking to sterling silver. Anyone want to buy a ring? Gently used, like new. Size 9.

 

[410bore]

I have a Titanium wedding band (virtually the same as tungsten but mine gets scratched up easier and was a LOT cheaper) I worry about the same thing sometimes....

 

[kamloops67]

stopped wearing my wedding band years ago,after getting it flattened into my finger, told my sweetheart id get a tattoo of a ring on my finger ,if it bothered her ...but she understood, she likes me and wants me to keep my fingers for doing chores around the house..
met a trucker that hung from his driverside mirror after attempting to hop down to the ground, until his finger dislocated and peeled off
-no rings for me

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Dremel tool with carbide wheel. That's why I won't wear any ring except my gold wedding band (except when I'm going to the Miami boat show ).

 

[arjay]

Wind thread around your finger starting at the knuckle,after about a dozen coils feed it between your finger and the ring.Unwind in the opposite direction.It will force the ring off.

 

[medxam]

Go to your local ER ASAP. before the swelling gets bad, if you can. They deal with this problem all of the time and have a variety of remedies for getting the ring off. I personally take my wedding band off if i am going to get involved in and sort of manual labor. Don't take a chance. Losing a finger is catastrophic. Momma will understand, if you don't leave it off too long and don't make a habit of it, especially if you are going out alone at night!

medxam

 

[old bear]

doublesharp, I really wish you would stop using my best material...

 

[M&P Freak]

It happened yesterday and the swelling & pain are getting worse. Not sure what bit me but it sure got my attention when it happened - even with cold numb hands. I'm starting to think about a doctor visit...

 

[jag312]

You're starting to think of a doctor visit? You've been bitten by a venomous spider. The time to see a doctor was when you got bit. Do you want to lose your finger and have to drop your pants everytime you count to ten?

 

[M&P Freak]

You are correct. I'm off to see the doc...

It is my trigger finger for cryin' out loud.

 

[jlrhiner]

Well?!? How are you?

And the reason you can't resize tungsten is that it's brittle. Don't stress over removing it. They'll get it off.

 

[Texas Star]

M&P Freak-

Keep us posted. I hope you weren't bitten by a brown recluse. You may get nasty ulcers and lose a lot of tissue. You may have even been bitten by a snake. But I guess you'd see the fang marks.

My daughter was once bitten by what she thought was a brown spider. Evidently not a recluse, as she got only a nasty welt that went away in a few hours. We did see the doctor in an emergency room.

I think he just cleaned the wound and gave her some pain medication and said to keep an eye on it. But she was lucky it wasn't worse.

 

[M&P Freak]

Thanks for the concern guys. What an ordeal. Drove 60+ miles in bad weather to an urgent care facility, spent all day and a bunch of $, but it's all good. Had two big shots in the keister, have to go back tomorrow for another. Hard to sit right now and type too. No shooting for me anytime soon. Doc says most likely a hobo spider. Never heard of those, but I can tell you they suck. Have two extra pills to take now but it's alright by me. Could have been bad if the infection spread up the arm. The splint comes off tomorrow they don't want me moving it around tonight.

Here is a picture of the ring with protection and some meds:

Thanks again.

 

[jlrhiner]

I hate spiders.

Glad your ok. Don't take any chances with that infection.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

M&P Freak, I'm glad to hear that you got fixed up and thanks for reminding us
that some of those, itsy bitsy spiders that go up the water spout, may bite.

 

[goldenlight]

I have a Titanium wedding band (virtually the same as tungsten but mine gets scratched up easier and was a LOT cheaper) I worry about the same thing sometimes....

Titanium is fairly soft and can be cut easily with a heavy wire cutter, like most other rings.

Tungsten rings (actually tungsten carbide) are fairly easily removed in a medical emergency, though the ring does not survive.

The procedure is to use a vice grips, and slightly crush the ring twice, at 90 degrees apart. The ring will break into pieces, with no harm to you finger, and takes only seconds.

 

[M&P Freak]

Titanium is fairly soft and can be cut easily with a heavy wire cutter, like most other rings.

Tungsten rings (actually tungsten carbide) are fairly easily removed in a medical emergency, though the ring does not survive.

The procedure is to use a vice grips, and slightly crush the ring twice, at 90 degrees apart. The ring will break into pieces, with no harm to you finger, and takes only seconds.

This is good to know, thanks for the info. The things you learn on a gun forum. Well, not just any gun forum...

 

[M&P Freak]

Not looking forward to another shot on the butt today, "but" it's a small price to pay. I have a new respect (or is it dislike?) for spiders. My next gun purchase is going to be one of those bug-a-salt guns. Would be more fun than just stomping on 'em.