Two Moisture Meters, Different Readings

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I have a General Toolw MMD4E moisture meter from Lowes and I just received a DR Meter MD812 (which appears to be identical to the Dusiec MD812). Measurements of the same piece of wood can differ three or four points. Does anyone have experience with these meters and have an opinion on which one is more accurate?

Thanks very much.

 

[gzecc]

I assume these are both very inexpensive meters. Trying to get an exact # from such an inexpensive meter is waste of time. Use them to compare the relative dryness of your wood. They all have at least a 5% +/- accuracy.
Measure your hand (should get a low 30#), measure a unpainted piece of trim in your house (should get <15%).

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

This is on eBay and gets many good reviews. Should I bid on it?:

(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lignomat-6-to-20-Pin-LED-Wood-Moisture-Meter-/160933644736?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25786489c0)

 

[HDRock]

A mini Ligno is a very good meter $100.00 new

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Someone commented on Amazon how it doesn't work well for firewood because of some temperature compensation snafu.

 

[HDRock]

You have to factor that in , here is manual (broken link removed to http://www.lignomatusa.com/MoistureMeter/webminilignomanual.11.30.10.pdf)

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Thanks, HD. I ended up winning this meter for $40 with shipping. It seems like a very good one for my needs. And it's no trouble to look at a chart to compensate for the temperature.

 

[HDRock]

I have been looking at buying a Mini Ligno for my wood shop for some time now ,I just haven't pulled the trigger yet