The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: WoodHacker on October 26, 2010, 05:56:22 PM

Title: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: WoodHacker on October 26, 2010, 05:56:22 PM

Thinking about buying a moisture meter for checking wood in my solar kiln and was shocked to see the range of prices.  Wow!

I wouldn't trust the $6 meter and don't think I need the $300 meter.

Which meter do you use or recommend?

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: WDH on October 26, 2010, 06:14:01 PM

I have the $400 Wagner pinless meter.  You get what you pay for and there are no free rides.

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: WoodHacker on October 26, 2010, 07:29:23 PM

My Google-foo must be week today as I did not find the $400 pinless meter.  Kind of makes one wonder how 'pinless' works...

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: poolman on October 26, 2010, 09:23:15 PM

I have a Wagner radio wave meter also.I bought it in 94 and I paid 350 for it with shipping.It uses a magnetic Field and it reads 3/4 inches deep in the wood.It is very fast and accurate.When You really need to test a lot of boards a pin meter would be a bad choice.You can buy a pin meter for 30 bucks online.Keep in mind my wagner works to todays standard after many years of use.I hated paying for it but its a life time tool i think.A 9 volt battery lasts a year in it.But if You need to spend little on a pin meter try harbor freight tools and get one made in china.Good luck ,Brian

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: Knute on October 26, 2010, 10:03:02 PM

I have a Lignomat Mini Ligno E which works well for me.

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: WoodHacker on October 27, 2010, 12:49:33 PM

Is it true that a pinless meter does not work well on rough sawn lumber?

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: poolman on October 27, 2010, 08:01:50 PM

A radio wave meter works on any type of lumber.I am on my second sawmill and have been sawing and testing moisture since 94.I would not have the time for a pin meter.My time is important to me and what i do must be fast. It reads 3/4 inches deep in any type of lumber, in  1 second a board.Try that with pins. Good luck ,Brian

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: trapper on October 27, 2010, 08:16:26 PM

opinions on deimhorst j-lite woodcraft has for $130 now

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: Knute on October 28, 2010, 10:10:04 PM

Delmhorst has been around for a long time. I was going to buy one but was given the Lignomat for a gift, and it has worked real well for me. Looks like the price is about the same as the j-lite.

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: boman1 on October 28, 2010, 10:21:10 PM

I bought one on eBay for 35.00 it works fine for what I use it for.

Title: Re: Which Moisture Meter?
Post by: paul case on October 29, 2010, 09:22:40 AM

mine came off ebay about a year ago and cost $16 and shipping was free and it still works fine. pin type of course.pc