want to buy a moisture meter, but which one?

[bowman_79]

Before I spend the money, I thought Ild ask for some help. I would like to get a pinless moisture meter. How good are they and any particular model do you suggest?

[Keuka]

One suggestion is to research the product to see if it's taking only surface moisture readings. If it is' it may not give you the results your looking for. The difference between surface moisture and the moisture content at the center, can be and usually is very different.

You need the average moisture across the entire cross sectional area of the wood. Call or e-mail the company and ask if it only gives surface readings. I would also check any moisture meter against the oven dry test before I trusted its' reading.

There are many very good wood working forums on the web. You may want to post your question with one of them.

[thefirehuntr]

My first try with a friends found outer rings good to work but inside was still green as i found as i finished working and brought inside near heat riser handle cracked. I think the meters give you a ball park or final moisture on limbs and weather climate effects but yes it takes time to dry inside staves and could be used as you work stave not just a measurement then go. I ve seen a cheap one in harbor frieght tools for 30. i think i may get one and gauge its acuarcy from  kiln dried and fresh cut etc.

[poekoelan]

Another alternative is a digital thermometer with a humidity reading for about 12 dollars. Know what the humidity is around your bow wood and you will know what the moisture content will eventually be. Here is how you figure it out....

 http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/emc.htm  

But all you really need to know is this: At normal temps...

humidity    MC
30pct  -    5pct
43pct  -    8pct
55pct  -    10pct
65pct  -    12pct
75pct  -    14pct
 
Just another option to consider. The only draw back is you won't know exactly WHEN it's dry enough. I get my staves to the floor tillering stage and control the humidity for a couple weeks, then I proceed. No problems yet.

I don't have a drying box, but I bet a humidity meter mounted in a drying box would be the cat's meow.