Replies

1. 
   RickL | Mar 14, 2006 09:12pm | #1

   A moisture meter is basically a multimeter. It's the calibration and time to develop the list of species and readings that will be difficult. Learn how to oven dry to get a moisture reading. Being too cheap will get you in the long run. There's some really inexpensive meters out there.

1. 
   Jerome | Apr 15, 2006 01:49pm | #2

   I have a moisture meter , Timber Check, from Lee Valley Tools.  It costs a little over a $100 with delivery.  This is the only moisture meter I've used ( http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32548&cat=1,43513 ).  I interested in opinions from those who own other moisture meters out there.

   Timber check is quite simple and sturdy but I don't have a clue whether its the best one.  I cannot say with accuracy whether it even measures properly.  It has readings of 6% 7 8 9 10  11 12 14 18 22 25% on it.  You stab in and turn on to the lowest reading.  Keep turning until a red indicator light comes on.  That indictes the moisture level of the wood.

   Ive built a simple bookcase with dado sides that fit tight on assembly. The wood registered 8% on first check with the meter.  I sabbed in all the pieces with that Timber Check.  I felt safe with that reading and hoped those dados would remain tight as they will always be visible.  I live on the east coast where RH is generally high.  The bookcase went in a room that is never over-heated but the wood shrank leaving a slight gap on the top side of some of those fits.  Oh well.  I expected expansion.  Wood and gaps, got to live with them but was that moisture reading accurate.  I don't know.  Any thoughts.

   Jerome

   Edited 4/15/2006 6:53 am ET by Jerome

   Edited 4/15/2006 11:50 am ET by Jerome

1. 
   RickL | Apr 15, 2006 09:52pm | #3

   I have a Lignomat that has 4 different settings depending on the 4 sub
   species groups. There is also a compensation chart for temperture...testing at 80 degrees gives a different reading than 40 degrees. The newer more expensive digital meters automatically compensate for temperature.It cost a few times more than yours did so I would expect more accuracy. Lignomat is willing to do tests on other woods than they have listed which is a good thing for us. We do a lot of antique lumber that doesn't apply to their charts. Antique hear pine is difficult to measure as is pickle vat oak which has a lot of minerals from the pickle juices over many years soaking into the wood so we can't even use a moisture meter for that stuff. We use a lab oven to dry samples and do a weight comparison test from a test piece. Very slow but extremely accurate. For meters the point is to make sure all the boards you glue together are at the same reading.

   Edited 4/15/2006 4:30 pm ET by RickL