wood moisture meter

[AppalachianStan]

Are these any good?
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Moisture-Meter-Wood-Timber-Damp-Tester-Detector-Water-Tool-Kit-/281205722865?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41792acef1)

 

[CenterTree]

I have one that looks just like that only mine is orange and gray. Not sure if they are the same brand.

Mine seems to work fine. About the same price too. Not very expensive.

 

[Sprinter]

Are these any good?
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Moisture-Meter-Wood-Timber-Damp-Tester-Detector-Water-Tool-Kit-/281205722865?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41792acef1)

It should be fine. It looks similar to mine which works well. They all work about the same and frankly I have yet to hear of any that are bad.

 

[clemsonfor]

I have one just like it, came from china direct off eBay. It works well and still on original battery from like 2 yts ago . I have not checked it against anything but from just what I know it seems right and anything below 25% or so on it does not sizzle in stove so its close enough for what we do.

 

[hobbes105]

Just bought the same one on eBay. Seems to work fine. Freshly cut and split walnut is metering around 40% with it. I have some seasoned poplar that is metering around 11% to 15%, so I guess it's working fine.

 

[AppalachianStan]

Thanks Guys I got one from Lowe's.

 

[Cam]

Are you guys drilling in the wood and then metering? Or are you just hitting the surface?

 

[hobbes105]

Are you guys drilling in the wood and then metering? Or are you just hitting the surface?

Re-splitting a split and metering the fresh split face.

 

[Cam]

Thanks

 

[Sprinter]

Push the pins into the face with moderate force. Soft wood will push in further than hard woods will.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

The one I bought from Lowes and it tends to bend pins fairly easily. It's quite difficult to get the pins in deep enough, without bending, on oak or hickory to get an accurate reading. I don't like the idea of having to use 2 tools to do the job of one. This problem lead me to create the saying: "The best device for measuring the moisture content of firewood is a multi-year calendar."

 

[clemsonfor]

Really I have the same one in the picture. Its the same one on eBay. I can jamb it as hard as u want and not bend the pins.??

 

[Ralphie Boy]

I can jamb it as hard as u want and not bend the pins.??

The one I got from Lowes does not look like the one pictured in this thread. I believe mine goes by the name of Central Tool, but I'm not positive of that. The pins on the one pictured are much stouter than the pins on mine from Lowes. The Lowes model has longer, and much thinner pins.

 

[clemsonfor]

Maybe its for soft dimension lumber only?

 

[Sprinter]

The one I got from Lowes does not look like the one pictured in this thread. I believe mine goes by the name of Central Tool

Could it be this General Tools? http://www.lowes.com/pd_36_0__?productId=3136919

 

[AppalachianStan]

I bought the one Lowe's has instead of getting the one from Ebay. I own the General tool one.

 

[CenterTree]

I saw this PINLESS Meter at Depot the other day. I wonder if they are decent??

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Pi...i_kw=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969#.UpgFFSdh1ac

 

[Ralphie Boy]

Could it be this General Tools? http://www.lowes.com/pd_36_0__?productId=3136919

Yep, that's the one. You can see that the pins are much less stout than the pins on the one pictured in the E-bay ad. I've not checked with Lowes' to see if replacement pins are available. I'm almost 4 years ahead on my wood supply so I don't NEED a meter but they are a fun tool and help prove a point to the "doubting Tomas" burners.

 

[dmmoss51]

I saw this PINLESS Meter at Depot the other day. I wonder if they are decent??

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Pi...i_kw=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969#.UpgFFSdh1ac

Sounds like it is meant more for drywall than wood??? Maybe someone has one can can tell us more. For the price I like my $12 HF meter just fine

 

[Sprinter]

I haven't seen anybody talk about pinless meters here, but you could do a search for posts. I don't think many members here use them for firewood. They may not be suitable for rough surfaces or something. Not sure. That one at HD didn't get good reviews, but those were from contractors trying to do sheetrock and such.

I've never had a problem with accuracy by just using moderate force on hard wood. You shouldn't need to get the pins in too far to do the job. I could see how the thinner pins could bend or break easier than the fatter ones, though.

 

[Jack Fate]

cold wood measures lower % by 3 or more % than fresh splits at say 60- 70 degrees.

(my experience)

 

[Kenster]

The "General" at Lowes is good and a good price. You don't need to worry about pushing the pins in very far if you're testing a fresh split. All I have is oak and hickory and have never come close to bending a pin on my "General" meter.