What are people's opinion on a good MC meter?
- posted
17 years ago
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.
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.
$1200 table saw as a moisture meter. What a concept. I can't tell you how useful your reply is to me.
Dan
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
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:
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 Boll> I had hoped for more constructive and useful recommendations on a
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
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
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.
Point well taken. I'll do that next time. Dan
I'm pleased you have a method that works for you, Arch, and I was looking for specific information on another method.
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.
Maybe. But is that a reason to withhold information or change the off-topic?
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
A solid slab, in this case walnut.
robo hippy
It's a turning blank! I wouldn't post off-topic. ;) It dried in the log for 8 months and we slabbed it up into two pieces, removing the cant. It was not damp to touch after cutting, but I know it can't be dry yet. I want to track the drying before I begin turning. The reason for slabs (instead of squares) is because these will be oval bowls.
The bowls will be oval turned. No carving is planned. I have an oval turning lathe. I may set up a solar or vacuum dryer to speed things along.
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