Re: Need a dingus thingamabob....

I use Chatillon force measurement instruments at work and the price is way beyond what you're looking for.

I believe the fish scale idea is the best for the price. Joe

If you do not already have one, go down to your local garage and ask to borrow a ordinary torque wrench. Set it up on their concrete floor and then go out side and do it on the grass. For just the tripod, use one of the leg attachment bolts. For the complete setup, use a piece of threaded rod bent at 90 deg's attached to the hole in the top of the rings and lock nutted to keep it from turning. Turn it so you can measure the force between the legs, with the legs, and the most dangerous of all, with the tube and counter weights between the legs. It is amazing how fast they can fall with the wrong combination.
tom