How to measure the barrel on a curling iron to determine size

[raal_3845]

How do I determine the barrel size for curling irons?

[candd205]

Wrap a string around it. Measure the distance around on the string. Then lay the string on the table in a circle and measure the diameter of the circle of string.

[toysaver]

Use a tape measure and wrap around the biggest section to get the circumference.

[johnrj1226]

Or once you have measured the distance around the barrel (aka circumference) with the string, simply divide the measurement by 3.1417 (aka  pi or 𝝅) - a lot easier and accurate than trying to form a perfect circle out of a straight string.

[dbfolks166mt]

Use a micrometer you can pick up a digital one at about any hardware or tool store for under $20. Following is available at Hone Depot for $12.04

[friskya]

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

Or once you have measured the distance around the barrel (aka circumference) with the string, simply divide the measurement by 3.1417 (aka  pi or 𝝅) - a lot easier and accurate than trying to form a perfect circle out of a straight string.

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This sounds suspiciously like math.

I was told there would be no math.

eBay is supposed to be handling it for me! (hey! Why not? They want to handle every other aspect of my sales!)

[friskya]

If it's new in box, I would guess the manufacturer would have placed that information on the box.

If it's pre-owned - EWWW!

[downunder-61]

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

Or once you have measured the distance around the barrel (aka circumference) with the string, simply divide the measurement by 3.1417 (aka  pi or 𝝅) - a lot easier and accurate than trying to form a perfect circle out of a straight string.

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I agree - MATH !!  You don't need to make a circle of the string, you just measure the string

[1tuna]

I was born to measure things.I throw my roast beef hoagies on my  scale to check them out week after week

seriously ..using calipers is easy.I measure watch case  diameters every single day

you can also use a tape measure for the lenght

keep on ebayin

[a_c_green]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

Or once you have measured the distance around the barrel (aka circumference) with the string, simply divide the measurement by 3.1417 (aka  pi or 𝝅) - a lot easier and accurate than trying to form a perfect circle out of a straight string.

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I agree - MATH !!  You don't need to make a circle of the string, you just measure the string

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Second that. Wrap the string at least once around the widest part. (You do not have to start at one end of the string.) Touch the string with a pen or marker in any one spot where it overlaps itself so that you leave a mark on both overlapping portions. Then just unwrap the string and measure the distance between the marks. Divide your distance by 3.14 to get the diameter. (It might be a little easier to do this in centimeters rather than inches.)

[soh.maryl]

Just curious:  I don't use a curling iron, but was wondering why the barrel size of a curling iron would be important.  Looked at an old one that I have here, and the barrel tapers down toward the end.  

[mr_lincoln]

@raal_3845   Since many others have offered some good methods to measure the curling iron I thought it would beneficial to add an additional method ...

1. Clamp the curling iron so that it stands up vertically between two walls in your home

2. Use a laser measuring device (I have a Bosch 225 unit, really nice)

3. Get the distance "A" between the two walls

4. Get distances "B" and "C" (from wall to each side of the curling iron on the tangential curve of the barrel in relation to each wall)

5. Subtract B and C from A and what is left is the diameter of the curling iron.

6. Illustration below

                              

[johnrj1226]

Yeah a micrometer is easier & more accurate (if one does not vision issues) but a string & a calculator is just fine for a one time or an occasional measurement.  Plus, a trip to HD or ACE or Lowes generally takes up time and fuel, pluc $$ - these type stores aren't like drug stores (on on every corner, sometimes two).

My tool chest is full of tools & measuring devises collected over 50 years, am a DIY based on my days living on a farm and 4.5 year degree in Auto/Mechanical Engineering.

[eleanor*rigby]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Just curious:  I don't use a curling iron, but was wondering why the barrel size of a curling iron would be important.  Looked at an old one that I have here, and the barrel tapers down toward the end.  

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The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl, and, of course, conversely, the larger the barrel, the looser the curl. Think Shirley Temple versus Farrah Fawcett. LOL!