Moisture meter recommendations?

[Jacob]

Moisture meter recommendations anybody? I've decide I need one. I've got some wet new joists ready for plasterboard and insulation, but don't want to shut them in until dry enough or I expect they will rot.

 

[Racers]

Hi, Jacob

Wagner moisture meters are very good, I have a search running on Ebay for one but it hasn't come up with any thing for a while.

Kind of expensive new!


Pete

 

[CHJ]

Jacob, I know you will probably find a need for a super accurate estimator at some time but as you have managed so far without one do you need anything other than a cheapy £20-30 jobie to check wet joists,I'm assuming they are rain wet not green timber.

 

[Jacob]

Jacob, I know you will probably find a need for a super accurate estimator at some time but as you have managed so far without one do you need anything other than a cheapy £20-30 jobie to check wet joists,I'm assuming they are rain wet not green timber.

Yes I've ordered the very same from Amazon, slightly cheaper with postage free.
If it's any good I might think of a better one. Cheapos used to get a bad press but perhaps they've improved.

 

[CHJ]

I have used the basic black job shown in the link for several years and it has been more than good enough to estimate getting the turning wood below normal household levels for turning. I have another similar/lower priced model which looks a little more sophisticated with dual ranges awaiting me in Germany from Aldi which I'm informed seems to work well.

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Jacob,
Have you seen this one...

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Mini+Moisture+Meter/p55818

Postage is free for orders over £10.
HTH
Jon

 

[custard]

"Woodworker" magazine (the American publication, so some of these meters aren't available here) ran a test on pin type moisture meters in the Autumn 2006 edition.

Highly recommended
Lignomat Mini Ligno
Wagner MMC205

Recommended
Delmhorst J-Lite
Protimeter Timber Master

Not recommended
Extech MO100
Penn State MD-2G
Sonin 50211

Things that separated the best from the worst were pin design, accuracy, and calibration options.

 

[Jacob]

Got this Brennenstuhl.
Very simple.
Seems to work - everything old in the heated part of the building comes out from 7 to 10% which seems about right. Old roof timbers 11% or a bit more, new rain wet timbers 14% or more.
Newly bought kiln dried beech shows 7% on cut surfaces which is reassuring, but 9 or more on exterior surface which seems to meant that it is picking up moisture in an unheated workshop.
That all makes sense I think.
Back to the joists - they are gong to be covered with foil backed ply on one side and foil faced insulation on the other so I'm going to hold fire until they hit 11% or less.

 

[CHJ]

Those sound close enough to what I see with stuff stored from green to turned item with my cheepy device.
My quick check whenever I switch it on is to place the prongs across [not in ]a finger and expect to see 20% .

 

[Allylearm]

Not the same subject but I am getting held up on an insurance job due to company brought in to dry some rooms out. It got a point I used my own meter and low and behold the rooms were well dry. But try as I might, the company that is contracted are holding it up to get a appointment date and insurance company will not let me proceed without written proof from said contractor.

I am glad I am not paying for this service, I wonder how often this charade carrys on when you doing insurance jobs.

 

[Jacob]

Those sound close enough to what I see with stuff stored from green to turned item with my cheepy device.
My quick check whenever I switch it on is to place the prongs across [not in ]a finger and expect to see 20% .

NB the very helpful safety warning in the manual; "Be aware that the probe tip can cause injuries if used incorrectly...."
It wouldn't have crossed my mind that two sharp points could hurt - and I was going to measure the moisture content of different parts of my anatomy! :roll: