Moisture Meters - reviews?

[Ralrick]

Anyone have experience with this moisture meter?

http://www.amazon.com/Wood-Moisture...137710-4594036?ie=UTF8&qid=1181136493&sr=1-11

For $25 I wonder if this is good enough for hobbyist woodworker or if it's $25 in the garbage? Let me know if you have used this one or if there is other meters you'd recommend.

 

[Kyle]

not..

go Lignomat or Wagner or Delmhorst..

Pinless is good, but the one I have also has an attachment that can be used to measure thick stuff.

 

[Rocker]

Rick,
I have not used the one you show, but I did buy a cheapo mm for about $25 a few years ago and it is still working fine. Last year I got nervous about whether it was accurate enough so I bought a $100 lignomat. Turns out they both read the same moisture levels on everything I try it on. I guess I should have stayed with the cheapo.
John

 

[John Reeves]

Is the Penn State Moisture Meter any good. I have seen it from $20 to $40.

 

[John Reeves]

Check this out

http://www.electrophysics.on.ca/e_index.htm

 

[woodArtz]

I've been needing to get one too. Which is best pin or pinless (and why)?

 

[Ralrick]

John -

What brand/model was the cheaper meter you bought? Do you remember where you bought it?

 

[Bernhard]

Check this out

http://www.electrophysics.on.ca/e_index.htm

That's what I got. I found a review on the net about a dozen or so meters and electrophysics was the editor's choice. I don't have a link to to review anymore.
But I like the meter. When I received it, I tested the accuracy and precision in the labs at work and it did quite well. Low %MC (6-10%) was very accuracte and precise (less than .75% bias and about 4%RSD), if the moisture content went higher, it got progressively worse..which is to be expected.
I think they make a good product..at par with lignomat/delmhorst/wagner for about 2/3 of the cost.
..my 2 cents
Cheers
Bernhard

 

[AL Spicer]

Hello,

I did a Google search for "moisture meter + reviews" and found this link
http://www.electrophysics.co.uk/

At that link it stated "An extensive review of Moisture Meters in Fine Woodworking found an Electrophysics model to be the most accurate meter they tested".

I went to FWW and did a search; the review is in issue # 156. If someone has that issue it would be great is they could post the results.

Have a nice day.

AL

 

[Kyle]

The pro lumber graders use Delmhorst..

I use lignomat pinned meter with the thick lumber attachment.

 

[scsmith42]

Ditto Kyle's comments re Delmhorst - they are the industry standard.

In addition to my Delmhorst meters, I also have a pinless Merlin meter (made in Austria) that is very accurate. Merlin makes several meters, depending upon application (Kiln operator, flooring installer, furniture maker, etc). Ex-Factory sells the Kiln ones (good for measuring 1.5" deep) for around $400.00

 

[jeff...]

I'm staying out of this, this time :-D

 

[DavidF]

That's what I got. I found a review on the net about a dozen or so meters and electrophysics was the editor's choice. I don't have a link to to review anymore.
But I like the meter. When I received it, I tested the accuracy and precision in the labs at work and it did quite well. Low %MC (6-10%) was very accuracte and precise (less than .75% bias and about 4%RSD), if the moisture content went higher, it got progressively worse..which is to be expected.
I think they make a good product..at par with lignomat/delmhorst/wagner for about 2/3 of the cost.
..my 2 cents
Cheers
Bernhard

Was that a pin or pinless you have Bernhard?

 

[Bernhard]

Was that a pin or pinless you have Bernhard?

with pins. I don't really care for the pinless type, I think that pinless is more useful for finished products. For rough cut lumber I think pins are better. With pinless, there are too many surface phenomena to content with.
just my 2 cents
Cheers,
Bernhard

 

[John Reeves]

Bernhard,

I am thinking that I will get one also. Which model did you get? I am headed towards the cheapest one with pins.

John

 

[woodArtz]

Must be some history there, Jeff. I'm afraid to ask...;-)

 

[Travis Porter]

So Jeff, how does Polyurethane relate to wood moisture? :lol:

 

[DavidF]

So Jeff, how does Polyurethane relate to wood moisture? :lol:

No, no, no, it's the liberal application of stain that causes wood to mis-behave, not moisture - isn't that right Jeff? you need a stainometer for that.