How accurate and how useful are those $20 moisture meters?
for example:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2757
for example:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2757
PA. Woodsman said:I split my wood well in advance, and store it in my garage, so there's never a question as to if it's seasoned or not. But just for "kicks and giggles" I bought that moisture meter for $25 last year, and I got about $25 worth out of it before one of the tips of the pins broke off and then it died completely! It was a "toy" like someone earlier had said; but it was interesting to check how fast/slow certain woods dry out. If you're seriously interested in them, invest in a good one; one that has a "hammer" slide pin so that you can really plunge the pins into the wood. They're not cheap-you're talking several hundred dollars; but they are more accurate.
BrotherBart said:PA. Woodsman said:I split my wood well in advance, and store it in my garage, so there's never a question as to if it's seasoned or not. But just for "kicks and giggles" I bought that moisture meter for $25 last year, and I got about $25 worth out of it before one of the tips of the pins broke off and then it died completely! It was a "toy" like someone earlier had said; but it was interesting to check how fast/slow certain woods dry out. If you're seriously interested in them, invest in a good one; one that has a "hammer" slide pin so that you can really plunge the pins into the wood. They're not cheap-you're talking several hundred dollars; but they are more accurate.
Or just drill two small holes in the split before you insert the meter. Cordless drills are wonderful tools.