What are people's opinion on a good MC meter?

Dan,

I only use one to keep track of green blanks that I have rough turned.
Since I never have a reliable flat surface for a pinless meter I got
the pinned model (under $40) from Woodcraft and have been very happy
with it.

"Dan Bollinger" wrote in message
m...
What are people's opinion on a good MC meter?

Waste of money, save for idle curiosity. "Be as dry as you can be" is
demonstrated by weight, varies with RH, and the meters aren't that accurate
on end grain, which pretty much limits you to the bottom of the bowl for
measurements on that shape. Not the part it's sitting on, of course,
because that's protected. Other side, being curved, is likely to produce
strange readings as well due to discontinuous fibers, even with the
inductive types.

I had hoped for more constructive and useful recommendations on a moisture
meter. Oh, well. I've ordered one so no need to reply to my request for
information.

Dan

I guess that my point is that I have done without one for so long. that
I learned to do without it, kind of like the rpm indicator on my PM
3520, there isn't one, and I haven't found it necessary.
robo hippy
Dan Bollinger wrote:
I had hoped for more constructive and useful recommendations on a moisture
meter. Oh, well. I've ordered one so no need to reply to my request for
information.

Dan

I guess that my point is that I have done without one for so long. that
I learned to do without it, kind of like the rpm indicator on my PM
3520, there isn't one, and I haven't found it necessary.
robo hippy

rh, Ya see, that's what I'm talking about. I didn't ask if YOU found MC meters
useful or not. What I asked for was a recommendation on a model. Do you think
your response answers my request? Dan

Dan Bollinger wrote:

rh, Ya see, that's what I'm talking about. I didn't ask if YOU found
MC meters useful or not. What I asked for was a recommendation on a
model. Do you think your response answers my request? Dan


db, ya see, mebbe yure the on'y one readin yur riginal kestion
thataway.

More helpful to the rest of us if you phrase the question
more carefully next time. MY response.

BjarteR

More helpful to the rest of us if you phrase the question
more carefully next time. MY response.

BjarteR

Point well taken. I'll do that next time. Dan

Dan:

So, you really didn't want people's opinions on meters -- you wanted
some support for a buying decision you have already made? Well, I'll
respond anyway.

I ran a dry kiln for 3 or 4 years. The only reliable test for moisture
content, when drying commercially, is the weigh it, cook it until it
stops losing weight, and do the calcs. I had both pin and pin-less type
meter for "has it been through the kiln or not" testing and also to
prove to myself that meters weren't worth using for anything more
accurate than a go/no-go test. In their defense, I was drying exotics
which is a particularly tough test for these things.

With turning blanks, I weigh and record, and do it over and over until
the blank stops losing weight. The actual MC is not important, what is
is when the blank is at or near EMC.

Bill

Dan Bollinger wrote:
I had hoped for more constructive and useful recommendations on a
moisture meter. Oh, well. I've ordered one so no need to reply to my
request for information.

Dan

So, you really didn't want people's opinions on meters -- you wanted some
support for a buying decision you have already made? Well, I'll respond
anyway.

You assume too much. When I didn't get any recommendations here I continued my
online search, read some articles, and THEN selected a model.

I note that even with my clarification of my request you take the time to write
3 paragraphs but didn't bother to once report a make or model even though you'd
used quite a few meters.

Just so you know, I ruled out the weigh method since my turning blanks are often
200 pounds when wet.

I ran a dry kiln for 3 or 4 years. The only reliable test for moisture
content, when drying commercially, is the weigh it, cook it until it stops
losing weight, and do the calcs. I had both pin and pin-less type meter for
"has it been through the kiln or not" testing and also to prove to myself that
meters weren't worth using for anything more accurate than a go/no-go test.
In their defense, I was drying exotics which is a particularly tough test for
these things.

With turning blanks, I weigh and record, and do it over and over until the
blank stops losing weight. The actual MC is not important, what is is when
the blank is at or near EMC.

Bill

Dan Bollinger wrote:
I had hoped for more constructive and useful recommendations on a moisture
meter. Oh, well. I've ordered one so no need to reply to my request for
information.

Dan

Dan:

The meters I was using were an old Delmhorst pin type and an old Wagner,
pinless. I don't have them any more and have no idea of the model
numbers. All these meters were designed to measure 4/4 lumber or maybe
8/4 in a pinch. Sticking a pin an eighth of an inch into a piece of
wood tells you nothing about what is 2 inches down, I think.

The pinless folks are most unclear about how deeply their test
penetrates. I can guess why that is.

When we checked MC for a kiln load, we didn't measure the whole load; we
measured samples. You might be able to do the same with blanks although
the thickness could be a major issue.

I don't see why you couldn't weigh a 200 lb blank. They weigh fish a
lot bigger than that every day.

Bill

Dan Bollinger wrote:
....
I note that even with my clarification of my request you take the time
to write 3 paragraphs but didn't bother to once report a make or model
even though you'd used quite a few meters.

Just so you know, I ruled out the weigh method since my turning blanks
are often 200 pounds when wet.

....

Hi Dan, I think Robo's answer was constructive, probably because it's my
opinion too. Anyway constructive or not, it's the the same opinion we
would have given if you had asked our opinions re a good pot metal bowl
gouge. IMHO there aren't any good ones for woodturners.

However since many turners do find moisture meters useful, it would be
interesting to learn what meter they are using; how & why. Given your
knowledge and ability, I suspect people's opinions here would really
have had little influence on your choice. Which one did you choose? Why?

Robo probably justifies his $1200 moisture meter by using it part time
as a table saw.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Hi Dan, I think Robo's answer was constructive, probably because it's my
opinion too. Anyway constructive or not, it's the the same opinion we
would have given if you had asked our opinions re a good pot metal bowl
gouge. IMHO there aren't any good ones for woodturners.

I'm pleased you have a method that works for you, Arch, and I was looking for
specific information on another method.

However since many turners do find moisture meters useful, it would be
interesting to learn what meter they are using; how & why.

That was my thinking as well. I thought I could tap into the think-tank at
alt.woodturning. I have provided answers to others and had no reason to believe
that I wouldn't be reading about how good this model is, how this company is
good for servicing, stay away from this type, etc. But not one such comment
even after my clarification.

Given your
knowledge and ability, I suspect people's opinions here would really
have had little influence on your choice.

Maybe. But is that a reason to withhold information or change the off-topic?

Which one did you choose? Why?

I bought the Wagner 220. It is an inductive type (not a pin-type). It is
adjustable for wood density and has an extended scale to 30%, which is good,
since it will let me make that important first reading sooner. This model
reads internally to 3/4" which is deeper than a pin model would, another good
feature. Couldn't find one on eBay, so bought it at Amazon.com for $40 off MSRP.
The wood I'm drying are slabs ranging from 3 x 10 x 36 inches to 6 x 20 x 60
inches.

Dan

Dan,
You have 200 lb blanks? Is this a solid blank, or a hollowed out one?
robo hippy
Dan Bollinger wrote:
Hi Dan, I think Robo's answer was constructive, probably because it's my
opinion too. Anyway constructive or not, it's the the same opinion we
would have given if you had asked our opinions re a good pot metal bowl
gouge. IMHO there aren't any good ones for woodturners.

I'm pleased you have a method that works for you, Arch, and I was looking for
specific information on another method.

However since many turners do find moisture meters useful, it would be
interesting to learn what meter they are using; how & why.

That was my thinking as well. I thought I could tap into the think-tank at
alt.woodturning. I have provided answers to others and had no reason to believe
that I wouldn't be reading about how good this model is, how this company is
good for servicing, stay away from this type, etc. But not one such comment
even after my clarification.

Given your
knowledge and ability, I suspect people's opinions here would really
have had little influence on your choice.

Maybe. But is that a reason to withhold information or change the off-topic?

Which one did you choose? Why?

I bought the Wagner 220. It is an inductive type (not a pin-type). It is
adjustable for wood density and has an extended scale to 30%, which is good,
since it will let me make that important first reading sooner. This model
reads internally to 3/4" which is deeper than a pin model would, another good
feature. Couldn't find one on eBay, so bought it at Amazon.com for $40 off MSRP.
The wood I'm drying are slabs ranging from 3 x 10 x 36 inches to 6 x 20 x 60
inches.

Dan

You have 200 lb blanks? Is this a solid blank, or a hollowed out one?

A solid slab, in this case walnut.


robo hippy
Dan Bollinger wrote:
Hi Dan, I think Robo's answer was constructive, probably because it's my
opinion too. Anyway constructive or not, it's the the same opinion we
would have given if you had asked our opinions re a good pot metal bowl
gouge. IMHO there aren't any good ones for woodturners.

I'm pleased you have a method that works for you, Arch, and I was looking for
specific information on another method.

However since many turners do find moisture meters useful, it would be
interesting to learn what meter they are using; how & why.

That was my thinking as well. I thought I could tap into the think-tank at
alt.woodturning. I have provided answers to others and had no reason to
believe
that I wouldn't be reading about how good this model is, how this company is
good for servicing, stay away from this type, etc. But not one such comment
even after my clarification.

Given your
knowledge and ability, I suspect people's opinions here would really
have had little influence on your choice.

Maybe. But is that a reason to withhold information or change the off-topic?

Which one did you choose? Why?

I bought the Wagner 220. It is an inductive type (not a pin-type). It is
adjustable for wood density and has an extended scale to 30%, which is good,
since it will let me make that important first reading sooner. This model
reads internally to 3/4" which is deeper than a pin model would, another good
feature. Couldn't find one on eBay, so bought it at Amazon.com for $40 off
MSRP.
The wood I'm drying are slabs ranging from 3 x 10 x 36 inches to 6 x 20 x 60
inches.

Dan

Are you trying to dry it for lumber, or a turning blank? Has it been
drying for a while, and you are trying to find out how dry it is so you
can figure out what to do next with it? Is it a full log section? Is it
a half log section? Is it a milled chunk?
I don't like to let chunks that size dry because it will crack and
check. Rough turning it helps the bowl blanks, and walnut dries with
little movement, and checking. For lumber, I would slab it up, unless
you want a big chunk to carve or whatever.
robo hippy
Dan Bollinger wrote:
You have 200 lb blanks? Is this a solid blank, or a hollowed out one?

A solid slab, in this case walnut.


robo hippy
Dan Bollinger wrote:
Hi Dan, I think Robo's answer was constructive, probably because it's my
opinion too. Anyway constructive or not, it's the the same opinion we
would have given if you had asked our opinions re a good pot metal bowl
gouge. IMHO there aren't any good ones for woodturners.

I'm pleased you have a method that works for you, Arch, and I was looking for
specific information on another method.

However since many turners do find moisture meters useful, it would be
interesting to learn what meter they are using; how & why.

That was my thinking as well. I thought I could tap into the think-tank at
alt.woodturning. I have provided answers to others and had no reason to
believe
that I wouldn't be reading about how good this model is, how this company is
good for servicing, stay away from this type, etc. But not one such comment
even after my clarification.

Given your
knowledge and ability, I suspect people's opinions here would really
have had little influence on your choice.

Maybe. But is that a reason to withhold information or change the off-topic?

Which one did you choose? Why?

I bought the Wagner 220. It is an inductive type (not a pin-type). It is
adjustable for wood density and has an extended scale to 30%, which is good,
since it will let me make that important first reading sooner. This model
reads internally to 3/4" which is deeper than a pin model would, another good
feature. Couldn't find one on eBay, so bought it at Amazon.com for $40 off
MSRP.
The wood I'm drying are slabs ranging from 3 x 10 x 36 inches to 6 x 20 x 60
inches.

Dan