In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Wood moisture meters..

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Chaz, Feb 1, 2018.

  1. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Hey all,

    A quick search turned up no posts directly regarding moisture meters, and I'm sure there are many on the forum with more than a 'bit' of experience with them.

    Google search shows them priced from $17 to $395. Quite a spread in price there, and I am FIRMLY convinced that I do not need a 400 dollar meter to check my stacks.

    So, any advice on a reliable and yet affordable meter?

    I am also in the process of putting together a wood workshop so I will need one anyway. Already have a nice stack of Black Walnut boarded out and air drying under cover (On a covered porch, allowing for good airflow between the boards).
    Those are destined for new kitchen cabinet doors and facing. :D

    Chaz
     
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  2. Erik B

    Erik B

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    Chaz Welcome to the forum. Many guys that have MM's seem to like the General MM's. I have one and it seems to work for me. Others have had good luck with the one you can pick up at Harbor Freight. You shouldn't have to spend more than $30.
     
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  3. woody5506

    woody5506

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    I got the Dr Meter one off Amazon for around $20. Seems fine. I don't make too much of a science project out of measuring moisture content like some seem to.
     
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  4. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    A few people here have one that plugs into a smart phone and seem to like it. I wonder if those get a bit more advanced than the General a lot of us have. Horkn , do you have that kind?
     
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  5. MO. Wood

    MO. Wood

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    Welome to the club Chaz!!
     
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  6. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Yes, I have the ryobi phoneworx moisture meter. It works awesome, and can be used as a simple mm, or a way to record ( with pictures, and or files) the moisture readings. For about $20, you won't find any more capable moisture meter.

    Ryobi Phone Works Moisture Meter-ES3000 - The Home Depot
     
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  7. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Thx all for the info and the welcome.

    WW, well, wife and I are still on flip-phones so I don't think I'll go that route. :picard:

    I'll take all the advice I can get when it comes to all things wood. :yes:

    Chaz
     
  8. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Yeah, a flip phone? That won't work. A tablet will work with it though of you have one of those.
     
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  9. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :rofl: :lol: I just graduated to texting a couple years ago, and have yet know how to work the internet properly :picard:
     
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  10. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Yeah, you don't want to break the internet.:rofl: :lol:
     
  11. Erik B

    Erik B

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    I have a flip phone and it is off most of the time. I am lucky to remember to take it with me when I leave the house. Didn't grow up with cell phones so I don't really feel the need to have one all the time.
     
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  12. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    The Way It Was.....................
     
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  13. Erik B

    Erik B

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    Amen to that wildwest Do you remember the name of the operator you had to go thru to make all calls, except for those on your party line? Minnie Larson is the one I remember from my youth. Our phone number back then was 23.
    Maybe I am dating myself:BrianK:
     
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  14. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Be afraid, very afraid.
     
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  15. Chaz

    Chaz

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    I'm the same way, I remember growing up, my sister would walk her friend home from school (she lived around the corner) and then would call her on the phone once getting home.

    I was like "what the he## could have happened in the last 2 minutes??"

    I have gone to work and only realized I don't have my phone if I go to check the time (I wear no watches or jewelry of any kind aside from the wedding ring if wife and I go out), or I realize I don't have my phone when I go to call Jill at lunchtime as I do pretty much daily (she's retired and keeps the stove fed).

    One of the biggest ironies of all, we both went to school for IT(me) and CS(her), and we used to work in the internet helpdesk/IT field. All of that is in the past, for the most part.

    Chaz
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
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  16. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Hi Erik, I am a generation behind you, but I do remember party lines and 2 digit numbers :)
     
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  17. Erik B

    Erik B

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    The good old days:thumbs::BrianK:
     
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  18. rebelduckman

    rebelduckman

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    The general from Lowe’s or the mini meter from hf. Can’t do wrong with either
     
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  19. SkidderDone

    SkidderDone

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    I think I spent $20 on mine. Simple and it seems to work good enough for my uses. Honestly if the only thing you're trying to find out is if your stacks are around 20% I wouldn't spend more than $20 or $30.
     
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  20. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Chaz likes this.