Primer on using a Moisture Meter ?

[mkepke]

I picked up a mini-Ligno E/D and the manual is almost non-existent. Can someone explain the 'best practices' for using a pin-type moisture meter ?

For example, I've heard that you should cut off the end of a board before testing. How far back ?

The meter comes stock with 3/16" pins ? Should I be using the 7/16" pins instead ?

The manual provides a MC correction table based on the temperature of the lumber being tested. How does one estimate the temperature of the wood when the ambient temperature varies from, say, 70F to 90F (typical summer day) ?

Just to show my ignorance a simple stab into the end of the 4/4 green walnut I bought from Jeff last fall puts the MC at <6%.

-Mark

[scsmith42]

Mark, for accurate readings typically you would us a pin length that is approximately 40 - 45% of the thickness of the wood. Thus, for 8/4 wood you'd use a pin length of 7/16"; for 4/4 you'd use a pin length around 3/8", give or take.

You usually take your readings from the face of the board, as you are trying to read what the MC% is in the center of the board. Usually you do not want to read the MC on the end of the board, as typically the ends lose moisture the quickest and you will not get an accurate representation of the average MC%.

When I'm using a pin type meter to measure the MC of a 1" x 10" x 8' board, I'll press the pins in somewhere in the middle of the 10" side, in various locations along the length of the board. Sometimes I'll press them into the 1" side as well, shooting for the middle of the board (1/2" from each face); also in various positions from end to end. Stay away from knots - typically there will be some variances in MC% and it is not an accurate representation of the bulk of the wood.

Re temp, just average it between min and max and see where it puts you.

Regards,

Scott