Moisture Meter

wng-2 · February 24, 2017, 06:23:55 AM

I suspect this topic has been covered. What is a simple effective hand held unit?

GeneWengert-WoodDoc · February 24, 2017, 07:02:35 AM

For checking dry lumber, either a pin meter or pinless meter will work. Spend no less than $200. Buy one that is made in America. Delmhost Instrument Co is in NJ, so that might convenient for you. Both types of meters have pluses and minuses. I guess that for the most accurate numbers, I would use a pin meter, as it allows measurement of moisture at different depths, but it is slower and takes more effort than the pinless.

Den Socling · February 24, 2017, 05:14:33 PM

To add to what Gene said. a pinless like a Wagner covers a much larger area quickly and doesn't leave holes.

wng-2 · February 24, 2017, 06:49:46 PM

Thanks guys.

WDH · February 24, 2017, 08:14:56 PM

You can do what I did and just get both :D.

123maxbars · March 13, 2017, 08:27:59 AM

I use the wagner meter that woodmizer sales, very good meter, but be prepared, when I got mine and started checking my wood i realized the kiln I was using was not drying my wood properly, Its a great tool to have in your box.

scsmith42 · March 13, 2017, 11:43:52 AM

Merlin makes a very high quality meter, several models of which will read to the proper depth for 8 and 12/4 lumber. They are close to $500.00 though.

Be sure to check the depth of reading specs before you buy a pinless meter. Most on them only read 3/8" deep.

longtime lurker · March 13, 2017, 03:42:27 PM

I use a Delmhorst J4: if I wanted total precision I'd oven dry a sample, for everything else it's accurate enough, and the slide hammer pins come in handy at times.
Pinless would be nice but I can usually find a place to take a reading where holes won't show, and I've had issues before with pinless meters due to the presence of treatment chemicals on the wood throwing electrical resistance out.