I've seen mediocre chain tools for sale at big box stores like KMart or WalMart or whatever, I forget exactly where. I already have a good chain tool, so I don't remember how much they charged either, but it can't have been much, maybe $3. Either get the right tool for the job or take the job to a pro. I'm a cheap ******* myself, so I often try to do things without the right tools. I often end up making an extra trip to the store to buy the tool that I thought I could do without.

BTW, you don't need a chain tool to measure chain wear, you can measure chain wear while the chain is still on the bike. Just hold a ruler up against a straight, taut section of chain.