moisture content

[gsdoby]

Just bought a moisture meter and thought I would ask thought on what moisture content is right for turning stock to be conxidered "dry"? doe sit vary by species

 

[DaveO]

It more varies with where the piece will finally reside. If the turning is going to stay in a climate controlled environment like a modern house, you would want the MC to be around 6-8% (check the MC of current wood in the home to be sure). If it is to reside outdoors, or in a structure not controlled by HVAC then 12-15% is good.
MC is the percentage of moisture in the wood, some moisture meters have settings/tables to adjust for the particular species. The reading is based on electrical conductivity, and the type of wood can skew that a bit.
Wood is never dry nor does it ever stay at the same MC level. It is hygroscopic and will absorb/release moisture in an effort to reach a equilibrium moisture content (EMC) with it's surroundings.
Your target MC for wood to turn also will depend on what type of turning you are doing. A lot of folks turn green bowls and then let them dry out and warp...they call it art. If it's a pen, I would want to make dang sure the wood was at least 8% MC, as you don't want any shrinkage on something so thin. For turnings that have lids or parts that fit inside each other, again you would want to have the wood quite dry.
MTCW,
Dave

 

[woodlaker2]

Which meter did you get? I'm in the market for one and am just starting to look into what's best out there.