Moisture Meter Question

[Bill Clemmons]

At Lowe's today I saw this moisture meter from General Tools for $29.98. I've never owned one

http://generaltools.com/Products/Digital-LCD-and-LED-Moisture-Meter__MMD4E.aspx

because I felt the prices were too high. But this is in my price range (okay, I'm cheap, I admit it. :gar-Bi) While I like the price, I'm also reminded of that old adage, "You get what you pay for."

So, before I buy it I'd like to know if anyone has any experience w/ this particular meter? It says it has an accuracy of +/- 3%. How does that compare to some of the more expensive models?

Thanks for the help,

Bill

 

[CrealBilly]

Delmhorst has basically set the industry standard for many years. There has been many a disagreement over my moisture meter says X and yours says Y.

I had to drive all the way to the coast (3 hours one way) to pick up and refund some quartersawn white oak that I sold someone, who called and said the moisture content was 14% and wanted a refund. When I got there it was stacked outside under plastic and was wet. To top it off this persons dog bit me on the arm as I was loading up the lumber in the back of my pickup truck. I tested the lumber before I sold it to the person with my Delmhorst and it ranged between 6~8% and certainly was not wet. That experience was the deciding factor that all the lumber I sold from there on out is as is. I adopted the motto if you don't like it please don't buy it.

It's up to you what you spend your money on - but just beware it may or may not be accurate and I would not trust it's reading.

 

[Mike Davis]

Well, I don't have a Delmhorst, and I am cheap too. But I did spend over $100 for my moisture meter.

With a cheap meter you might as well be guessing. The difference between 8% and 11% could ruin a project.

 

[Mt. Gomer]

With a cheap meter you might as well be guessing. The difference between 8% and 11% could ruin a project.

And this one is +-3%. So, if it reads 10 it could actually be as high as 13 or as low as 7! I'd pass....

Travis

 

[kooshball]

Here is something to consider from the marketing side of things; are they saying that it is accurate within +/- 3% or +/- 3 percentage points; big difference...

However based on my experience with meters, gauges, etc you do get what you pay for. I had a $10 stud finder once and couldn't understand why I never hit the stud; luckily it got crushed by an accidental hammer drop and replaced with a $45 one mid project. As soon as I got it home I saw that this one was registering differently on the same studs and miraculously I found them all from then on out.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. Sounds like we're all on the same page when it comes to, "You get what you pay for." That's why I posted the question here before I took a chance on it.

Jeff, your experience w/ the wet wood was pretty rotten. Hope it wasn't a fellow NCWW member. :no:

Bill

 

[Chipper]

Thanks for the tip. I think I'll go get one at that price. I hear all of the units are calibrated for Doug. Fir and the more expensive units have some settings for various woods. I'm sure a correction chart would work for me on the cheaper units.