Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 13, 2005 03:19am | #1

   Hey Bill, I don't have a moisture meter yet either, but the one I have my eye on is a Delmhorst pin model, the J-Lite or (if I get rich soon) the J-4 or J-2000).  What I like about the Delmhorst is that you can add on a "Remote Electrode" for reaching into stacks of lumber.  Said electrode has a hammer on it also to help get maximum penetration.

   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" .... :>) 

1. 
   BArnold | Oct 13, 2005 11:24pm | #3

   Jamie,

   Thanks.  I'd have to lean toward the Lite also -- budget, ya know.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom WoodcraftingMensa Member Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 14, 2005 10:20am | #7

   The Lignomat mentioned above is another one that deserves consideration.  I lean toward the J-Lite because if I want to, I can add that other sensor to it, but the Lig is supposed to be a real nice meter.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. 
   ring | Oct 13, 2005 10:20am | #2

   Bill,

   I use a Wagner pinless meter that is about 6 years old.  It is probably slightly less accurate than a meter with pins, but for my purposes the ease of use makes up for it tenfold.  We commonly have stacks of wood delivered to the shop, and they arrive on a truck before I have ever seen them.  I quickly check the moisture levels at various points before I let them even unload  the truck.  If the meter is off by 1/2% it doesn't matter to me.  It is my quick and easy check against shipments that I will not accept.  It cost about $100 at the time, and paid for itself on the first stack of wood I sent back to the supplier.

   DR

1. 
   BArnold | Oct 13, 2005 11:27pm | #4

   Ring,

   Looks like that's the model that sells for about $150 now -- more than I want to spend.  Thanks for your input.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom WoodcraftingMensa Member Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

1. 
   Ricks503 | Oct 14, 2005 03:41am | #5

   try trollong eBay if it is not an immediate requirement1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

2. 
   Jimma | Oct 14, 2005 04:51am | #6

   Hi, Bill -- I've been using a Lignomat (under $100) for some time, but only to track the relative moisture of wood in my shop. Seems to be fine for that purpose. I don't have any interest in absolutes, just interested in whether a piece is ready to be worked or not. I have some wood from last year's hurricanes and I test it every week or so using the pin meter. It's gotten down to around 12 percent RH which is about what I can use depending on thickness and some other factors, but the meter does what I need it to. Sometimes the meter goes on sale for a couple of bucks less. Jim

3. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 14, 2005 08:41pm | #8

   Bill

   Due to the fact that I mill almost all my own lumber, a moisture meter is pretty critical to my work.  I've got a Lignomat, and it has not let me down in the 6 or 7 years that I've had it.  It has 2 settings, for the different "types" of hardwoods, and has a chart to refer to, so you have it set for the right species.   Easy to use, and it has been very accurate for me.  So far, NO CALL BACKS!!!

   Jeff