moisture meter advice needed please

[se7enthdevil]

hi all,

as per title realy. i saw this onebay and even though i try to steer clear from bying anything from china i would find this usefull if it works.

 

 

Digital Inductive Wood Tree Timber Moisture Meter 4-80% 10 Timber Density ATC | eBay

 

 

what i would like to know,

 

is it accurate?

is there anything i can buy in this country that doesn't cost a bomb?

does any one have an old one they no longer need?

 

is it worth me buying this or shall i just use maths to work out M.C.

 

 

thanks in advance

 

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

.

[Goaty]

All I can say is they normally have probes on them that you stab in to the wood. But they dont give an accurate reading all the way through the timber. i.e the electric current takes the shortest route to the other pin, not to the core which is often likely to be higher moisture. Unless someone has tried this particular model and has been nerdy weighing and microwaving to dry, which is a quick method. Who knows? Sorry to be vague but this blah blah may stimulate others to correct me or add helpful comments.

[mixedangased]

maplin about the same price

[Rob D]

I came to the conclusion you get what you pay for with these... I tried a few cheapies - under £50-00 and the readings were rough...

 

 

I did start selling the Delmhorst ones (if you Google they have a good rep and basically moisture reading is what they do Moisture Meters | Moisture Testers | Delmhorst Instrument Co.)

 

But they sold too slowly and also seemed to drain the battery. But they did give better readings.

 

 

The pro timeter ones I also heard good things about but never tried one Protimeter Damp Meter - Your direct store for GE Sensing Protimeter Products

 

 

 

[Chippy]

I have one of these, was doubtful about buying it but for a tenner I cant fault it providing its used on fresh split logs, also use it to test before turning.

 

Digital Moisture Meter Wood Timber Damp Detector Tester | eBay

[Paul Barton]

I have one of these, was doubtful about buying it but for a tenner I cant fault it providing its used on fresh split logs, also use it to test before turning.

 

Digital Moisture Meter Wood Timber Damp Detector Tester | eBay

 

I've got the same. It seems to work fine although I have nothing to compare it against!

[LoadhandlerUK]

I have one of these, was doubtful about buying it but for a tenner I cant fault it providing its used on fresh split logs, also use it to test before turning.

 

Digital Moisture Meter Wood Timber Damp Detector Tester | eBay

 

I use a CEM meter - was about £30. But I like this one above for a tenner delivered. I'll buy one and compare readings with the CEM and keep it in our other truck.

 

I like going into pubs (full stop!) and when their fire is dank and hissing and water is p*ssing out the end of the log, telling them that their 'seasoned' wood they bought cheaply has more moisture than wood.

 

Ok, ok, let me finish my beer before you chuck me out.....

Edited March 27, 2013 by LoadhandlerUK

[se7enthdevil]

thanks for all the advise so far guys.

 

 

 

 

chippy's one bought for a tenner is acctualy the one i own at the moment and to be fair it's not been that bad but i've just gone in to buisness properly in the last couple of months and could do with one that i am confident is correct.

 

im turning skittles and genraly need to buy wet wood in the sizes i require. wood for skittles does not need to be kiln dried but i just need to be sure that what i use is low enough on th o'l moisture before i comit it to becoming a pin. if its too wet then it will spilt from top to bottom.

 

i had this with a pair of 12x6" sets that i turned for a lady in somerset and everyone is now fire wood so i need to be sure that im turning pins that are at least well air dried...

 

 

 

 

.

[woodyguy]

I've got a similar cheap one. I did the nerdy bit of comparing it with weighed wood at various percentages and it was crap. Totally inaccurate but in the right direction. So it read less as wood got drier but was reading 15% lower than wood really was even when fresh split. So a rough guide but less use than picking a log up and feeling how heavy it is.