Thread: expensive Merlin moisture meters ?

I have been seriously considering purchasing a moisture meter so like Jake I am very interested in hearing any comments.

I bought a cheapy from carbatec, its adequate for me.
As a furniture maker it doesn't need to be precise ,
all I need is a reasonable indication of the timbers usability.

thats what I was saying to him too, but apparently his accountant telling him he can buy big at the moment. tax deductions or whatever.

We've had stacks of timber delivered, supposably kiln dried only for me to dock up and find wet rings in the middle. He wants to be able to rest the thing on the stacks all around it before we hack into them, so he can return if still wet.

The meters without pins apparently best. Can measure deep where the problem is. Can't get the pins in that deep.

Still a bit too much of a luxury I'm thinking, but I spose if I had the money floating about I'd be tempted to buy one too. But which one uno ?

G'day Jake.

I have a PM1-E sitting in front of me at the moment.

For Spotted Gum, set at 1.10 density and 25mm for thickness
For Camphor laurel, set at 0,45 density.
For Rose Gum (flooded Gum) set at .77 density.

Read here http://www.ensisjv.com/Portals/0/Fin...dRpt-Part1.pdf

and here http://www.ensisjv.com/Portals/0/Fin...dRpt-Part2.pdf

Also note that the Technical Director of ATFA (Australian Timber Flooring Association) only uses a Merlin PM1-E capacitance meter for all of his flooring inspections. He has a Deltron Pin meter as well.

The other Side of the coin is a Delmhorst J2000 with slide hammer pin meter. I use one of these. The pins are insulated and only read across the tips of the pins. This allows you to drive the pins 35mm deep into the wood but only read across the tips, thus allowing a read at the 35mm depth. handy for looking for wet wood core.

I have a Merlin WS25HD meter. I have had mine for a while and use it just about every day.
All our furniture timber is checked before any machining is done other wise it can come back and bite you.
Personaly I think anyone selling timber or buying timber should have a moisture meter but thats just my 2 cents worth.
Anyway I know there is about 3 other woodworkers around me that are using the Merlin WS13HD or WS25HD and they all seem happy with theres.

...Mark

Thanks kindly for all the advice. I'll let him know.