moisture meters

[George Tsoukalas]

The one I have is the pin type which really only gives surface readings. I get around that by using it right down to the stave's first stringing. I just stop and let it dry if I get a reading that is too high. Jawge

[Bowjunkie]

I'll second what Eric said. I keep them incubating in my drying box at about 90 degrees and keep an old sleeping bag thrown over it for insulation. Voltage reducer turned down in the summer, up just a tad in the winter. Always have stuff ready to work... and finish.

[Wolftrail]

I don't bother with a moisture meter. I just put the wood very close to the ceiling in the garage when its about 12-15%. This is after the wood is sitting outside in a unheated shed for about 8 months.
I usually cut the sealed ends by this time, and I can gauge the wood dryness very close by this method. After a few weeks you should notice some tiny cracks in the ends, that basically tells me its time to work it.
This method has never failed me.

[ALW]

Listen to Art and Eric. With a simple drying box, a low cost humidity meter, and the chart from TBB IV you can get pretty accurate. I think where you're at you won't get hickory too dry to cause a problem. The drier the better for hickory. Since I started following Arts advice I get much better performance on my hickory bows.

Aaron

[Brock]

correct...a warming box with adjustable rheostat...a meat thermometer and a RH gauge (digital) and the chart from TBB is all you need to get very close and as accurate as some of the cheap hand held meters.

Temp then look at RH...and the cross is your MC.

If you keep them inside house it is easier as you can see thermostat on that floor of house.  I have my two staves up in my office on rack...RH gauge downstairs near guitar...but a warming box is going to be built again as my last was destroyed when I moved.

YOu can get hickory too dry...for reliability and durability. 8-9% gives you durability and performance...too dry and it becomes brittle...too wet and it is lethargic.

If you cant do the weighing method the temp/rh chart is the next best thing to get accurate MC.