Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 10, 2006 09:15am | #1

   I like my Electrophysics pinless.  "They" say pinless might be less accurate on rough sawn lumber than with pins, but I haven't noticed any problems.  And, I sure wouldn't be able to take a pin type meter into the lumber yard. 

   For some enlightenment, put a meter on framing lumber at the borgs and see the 20% moisture content. 

2. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 10, 2006 02:42pm | #2

   I've been using a lignomat for years.  I believe they are still under 100 bucks.  If not, very close.  It comes with both sets of pins, long and short, depending on the thickness of your wood.  Very easy to use, just set it for the species you're testing (it comes with a chart, and setting it is just moving a switch up or down), stick it in, and read.  Very accurate.

   Jeff

1. 
   kstyer | Jan 10, 2006 07:47pm | #3

   Jeff,I like my pinless Lignomat although I don't believe you are going to have the accuracy using a pinless on rough lumber. If I was to use a meter exclusively on rough lumber, I would get a pin type.Ken

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 10, 2006 08:04pm | #4

   I mill all my own lumber, so all of it starts out rough.  That's why I felt I needed the pin type.  You're right, though.  If you're not working with rough lumber, than a pinless type would be great.  I'd imagine that some hardwood stores would not be happy with you sticking little holes in their stock.

   Jeff

1. 
   kstyer | Jan 10, 2006 08:20pm | #5

   I was at Rockler last week and some of those exoctic woods are a little pricey. I agree with you, I don't believe they would be too happy to see a pin type meter. I mill my own wood also.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 10, 2006 09:17pm | #6

   "...some of those exoctic woods are a little pricey. "  Especially if you buy them at Rockler.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   John_D | Jan 11, 2006 12:03am | #7

   I did get a good deal on a pretty big chunk of jet black ebony at Rockler, which was on a store sale plus I used my 25% off coupon.  I paid about 2/3 what I would have at Crosscut, and at Crosscut there was more brown in it than I wanted (who wants to ebonize ebony?)  :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.