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I was gonna hit the search button, but it seems to be gone from my screen.
Hey, the way that thing worked for me it’s no great loss.
Anyway,
I’m looking to buy a good moisture meter. I have a few bob to spend, but I’m not sure I need the Cadillac of moisture meters. I’m told 14% surface moisture is ideal.
Any suggestions?
Ed.
Replies
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There's one called "Timber Check". Rather than the more exotic meters that are notoriously fussy and fragile, with this one, you pick the range and it gives you a 'yes or no' answer. Comes with a manual that tells you how to compensate for different types of wood. About us$60 from Lee Valley.
*Ed,I have a Mini-Ligno E, about $100.I shoot for about 10% for interior. Try http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/emc.htmKK
*Ed,Ditto KK, Mini-ligno was $125 when I got it a few years ago. No pin holes, reads a wide range of moisture, and has a little book that fits in the case that lets you adjust the readings for different woods. Mike
*K, Phil and Mike,I'll look into the Mini-ligno and the Timber Check. Thanks.K,Thanks for the link. It will be very useful.Ed.
*I have a mini ligno too. I rely on it but I wish it had a digital read out instead of indicator lights beside numbers in 2% increments. I have seen the newer ones advertised that way. Of course, I wish my old miter box would die so I could justify buying a SCMS too...and it would be nice if my Mag 77 went past 45 degrees...and they sell music on those "CD"s these days...guess I'm just a little behind the curve.Got me a nice Sands 4' level though. That thing is hell for stout.
*Some of my cabinet-maker friends have mini-Lignos moisture meters that have digital readouts and remote sensors (model DX ?) - really nice and no-one has a bad word to say about them. On the other hand, they are a tad dear and I don't think I'd want to pack one around in a tool-box.
*Reading surface moisture can be misleading, especially regarding moisture content at larger framing members such as headers and built-up wood areas such as rim joist/wall plate areas. We take readings at a depth equal to 1/5 the thickness of the framing material (i.e. 1-1/8" at a 6x header). By reading at different thicknesses, one can develop a profile of the moisture gradient which gives you a good idea how wet the members may be inside, away from the surface. Entrapped moisture is a serious issue and many believe it is a cause of much of the trouble in wood-frame buildings today. Shrinkage of wood leading to dry wall cracks is a relatively minor problem. Wood decay and/or mold problems should be a more serious concern.For moisture readings, we use a Delmhorst BD-10 meter. A Delmhorst 26-ES electrode attachment is necessary to get readings any deeper than 3/8" or so.
*14% OK for framing but interior trim????????????
*Ed-I have a Sonin (you can order one for $50 by following this link: http://www.finepaints.com/html/products/moisture_meters.html), and it has been 100% reliable. I've used it for several years to check moisture on the interior of houses and exterior, and on wood for use inside and out, and it has never let me down.s.
*I used one a guy had that had a remote lead with two points and a kind of hammer device that slid on the probe that you could really sink into the interior of the wood. Does this sound familier to you?Ed.
*Probably a Kernco http://www.kerncoinstr.com/19m11.htm But Ducom has one too http://business.vsnl.com/ducom/
*Ed - The setup you describe sounds like a Delmhorst setup. The meter is the BD-10 (or previous model BD-9) and the "remote lead" is the 26-ES electrode. It includes a hammer shaft for driving the pins deep into the wood. There may be other manufacturers making the same type of instrument. I think it's important to use this type of meter (electric resistance) with long probe pins, rather than a surface reading meter, if one is to get a true picture of the moisture situation.
*Phil,Thanks for the links. The Kernco looks like a nice set-up, but the digital read out bothers me. Prhaps I'm just old fashioned, but I trust the analog readouts more for some reason. The Ducom looks more like my kind of set-up, but both systems are expensive. The Kernco at over $500 and probably the same for the Ducom. I don't mind spending that kind of money for a good instrument, but I wonder if the differences between those two and the Delmhorst that great. I mean do you really get $300 more accuracy with the Kernco or the Ducom?Mike,If I were to get the BD-10 and the 26-ES remote, do you know if it all fits into one case?Thanks,Ed.
*Hey Shawn,I couldn't get your link to work. I'll search for Sonin on the internet unless you have a URL.Thanks,Ed.
*Timber Check - $50
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I was gonna hit the search button, but it seems to be gone from my screen.
Hey, the way that thing worked for me it's no great loss.
Anyway,
I'm looking to buy a good moisture meter. I have a few bob to spend, but I'm not sure I need the Cadillac of moisture meters. I'm told 14% surface moisture is ideal.
Any suggestions?
Ed.