I once found a cheap chain necklace in a kids jewellry store (Ardenes in Canada) that the individual links were strong enough to lift a 5 lb weight. I made dozens of furled leaders out of them. The only thing I don't like about rings is that there seems to be some "hinging" of the tippet when casting. In other words the tippet would canter left or right slightly (at least in my experience). The only real problem is when I use dries and fly placement on the water is more critical otherwise they are fine.