Moisture meter.

[Mike L.]

I bought into the hype and got a Wagner MMC220 for like $400 a few years ago. I’m sure it’s phenomenal for some applications, but not very useful to me. For one, it’s pinless, and it’s supposed to take its measurement from 2” deep, but most of the wood I have in the shop is cut to 2” or less.  It still gives me a reading, though, and seems accurate, but to get a percentage, you have to reference a chart or calculate relative density.  I should have got the $20

[Flem]

Sell the spendy meter, buy two cheap replacements and get your wife a nice gift with the windfall

[wood carver 2]

I ended up buying a $50 meter. It had good reviews. I didn’t want to spend $500 on a meter that I won’t be using all the time. I’ll put the $450 towards a nice comfy recliner that I can rest my tired backside in. 😉
Dave.

[Arlo]

In this world of ultra cheap electronic gizmos…. Sometimes you get exactly what you pay for, sometimes not…. I use the pin style and spent about a $100 on mine.
This one has served me well for years and can be easily calibrated for different wood species.

https://www.amazon.com/Lignomat-Moisture-Meter-Mini-Ligno-D/dp/B000VIMGJE/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=CjwKCAiA0KmPBhBqEiwAJqKK495rsT60DsIcNN4yACqdNb0DIfkPGSRcPRvD-f1MNLTuhzxf0dmY7xoCiAQQAvD_BwE&hvadid=243363005203&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9032861&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=3208209640704939626&hvtargid=kwd-295817237493&hydadcr=1637_9901498&keywords=ligno%2Bmoisture%2Bmeter&qid=1642779578&sr=8-5&th=1

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

I just got this Klein meter yesterday.  Not sure how accurate it is, but super easy to use. My pin meter died because of a battery leakage.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07SZX8QXH/ref=psdcmw_553270_t1_B000VIMGJE#

[Longcruise]

I don't have a meter but should get one.   My climate is so dry that any "dry" wood that  comes in that might still be a bit high probably comes down pretty quick.

[Jeff Freeman]

Hillbilly, that looks like it would do the trick. Klein makes some good tools. JF

[Arlo]

I don't have a meter but should get one.   My climate is so dry that any "dry" wood that  comes in that might still be a bit high probably comes down pretty quick.

You are lucky in that respect. On the west coast everything stays at about 12% in the shop unless it’s stored in a heated insulated room. I tried using dehumidifiers to control MC in a 12x12 insulated wood room and that bloody thing ran my electric bill up about $75 a month…. I got rid of it…. I use my moisture meter a lot.

[George Tsoukalas]

I bought a moisture meter 15-20 years ago and use it all the time. It is one with pins.

Sure, it only gives surface readings. To solve that I just keep using it throughout the bow making process and stop when i get a reading the is too high.

I like hickory at 6-8% and everything else 8-10%.

Jawge

[BigJim]

I have had several moisture meters in the past and unwilling to trust any of them 100%. The best I've used is a wagner designed for exotic wood. I generally use it to confirm my beliefs. It is pinless and reads up to 3/4" deep. A reading from both sides of a piece of wood will generally tell me what I need to know.

Unless you are only using it on common domestic wood, you will need to have one with different density settings. I guess if it isn't worth spending the money to you to buy a decent one, your willing to fly by the seat of your pants.

If it's too much work to look at charts a tables, just go with what you have.. if it fails, I guess you can just do it again.

I have learned my lesson with cheap simple junk.. it's just cheap simple junk!

There is a void for information on drying wood and determining mc. I have fought long and hard to figure out what little I know and have destroyed a bunch of wood along the way.  I purchased my Wagner for $200 used and feel that it was a bargain.  Dry Black and White ebony is $150 a board foot.. doesn't take long for it to pay for itself.
BigJim

[Mad Max]

One of the pins broke on my $20.00 meter, 2nd time I use it

[George Tsoukalas]

I bought the Mini Ligno about 25 years ago. I think I paid $80 for it. It was not cheap. It is pinned.

To get around that I just keep using it as I work the bow. When I get a reading that is too high. I stope and let the wood dry. I like I like 6-8% for hickory and 8-10% for all other woods.

I only do selfbows these days for me and mine.

Jawge

[Mad Max]

I have about 10 Osage staves I keep in Inventory, I get a few every year to set back and wait.
Unless they are dated 2 years old or so.