Replies

1. 
   BilWil | Aug 07, 2006 01:40am | #1

   I bought the Lignomat on sale, however, I understand the Wagner is good as well.  I've used a friend's Wagner before I got mine and I was happy with it.

1. 
   woodwise2 | Aug 08, 2006 03:17am | #5

   I appreciate the input.

2. 
   stantheman | Aug 07, 2006 04:29am | #2

   woodwise2

   current issue of Woodworking has article and review of moisture meters.  Wagner was recommended.  Woodworking is a semi-annual publication without advertising.

1. 
   woodwise2 | Aug 08, 2006 03:18am | #6

   Thanks. I bought the magazine today.

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 08, 2006 08:36am | #7

   I picked it up tonight.  This article provided some info I've not seen in reviews past.  Simple things like the shape and fineness of the pins, how well the body is designed for pushing said pins.

   I have a couple of questions for youse knowledgeable folks: The author states that a good pinless meter probably gives a more accurate reading because it uses a bigger area to take its info from.  Do you agree?

   Also, the two meters I'm interested in have optional calibration thingies.  How often do you guys/gals check your meters??forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 08, 2006 07:31pm | #8

   mini-hijack........I'm ordering the Delmhorst J-Lite from Amazon today!  It's marked down to $99, same as the Mini-Ligno, but I've always liked the J-Lite because you can add on an external probe as an accessory.  It also has calibration built in.  Finally a moisture meter!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   woodwise2 | Aug 19, 2006 05:25am | #9

   Forestgirl,

   Sorry for the delayed answer I've been off line and spending my time with the day job and trying to finish building our house at night and weekends. I did buy the Wagner MMC 220 and used it on our oak floors prior to the stain and poly top coats.

   The pinless meters do sample a larger area of wood. Are they more accurate? Is it easier to scan a piece of wood?, stack of wood? or a wood floor?, Yes. You just slide it from place to place and watch the read out.

   Also, one nice feature is that it will give a accurate measurement regardless of surface moisture. My son did a homework science experiment (needed to test the scientific method and use different variables) using the Wagner. He used 3 different species of wood, measuered them dry, then sprayed each with H2O and let the water sit on the wood for different lenghts of time, wiped the water off and immediately took measurements. There was less than 1% diffence between dry wood and wood soaked for 30 minutes.

   Do you need a calibration thingie? I didn't buy one but if you plan to mishandle your meter or you don't trust the factory setting you might want to purchase one. I never checked the price but I'm surprised I didn't buy one because I normally don't trust anyone? You can take the man out of the war but not the paronoia out of the man.

   CHEERS, Ed 

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 19, 2006 07:13am | #10

   Hi Ed.  Thanks for the info.  Sounds like your son did a good job!

   I just received the Delmhorst J-Lite from Amazon.  It's on sale currently for $99 with free shipping.  I like the J-Lite because you can add on a hammer probe later if you want, and it has calibration built in -- just push a button.  They say that usually if it reads incorrectly in response to the calibration test, that means the battery needs to be replaced.

   It came in a very sturdy case that has a place built in for the hammer probe.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   woodwise2 | Aug 20, 2006 04:31am | #11

   Forestgirl,

   The J-lite is a good meter from the reports I've read and at a good price. You are the first person I know to own one. I would like to know how it performs.

   Just noticed you're from WA. My brother lives in Tenino, WA. He logs and builds timber frame/big wood/conventional w/lots of beams houses. We now live in Houston, TX after 24 years in New Orleans (Katrina ran us out) but also have some property in Tenino. Small world.

   You may already have your wood sources in place but should you be looking for any Doug fir or western cedar in thick wide slabs my brother would be able to help. I have ~4500 bdft of quarter sawn luthier quality old growth sitka spruce stacked in a barn in Tenino. Cheers.  Ed

3. 
   forestgirl | Aug 20, 2006 05:58am | #12

   "...~4500 bdft of quarter sawn luthier quality old growth Sitka spruce stacked in a barn in Tenino."  Wow!  Sitka spruce isn't all that common these days, is it? and especially old growth.  Cool.

   Amazingly enough, WRC is one of the harder woods to line up sometimes.  It goes for decking so fast around here, it seems.  I've found one local mill, but don't know how consistent the stuff is.  Next year, I want to start building Adirondak furniture in the spring and have a line ready for summer.  Was supposed to be this year, but hubby's delayed retirement left me running the store instead.

   OK, going over to Mapquest to find Tenino......Oh, yeah.  That's a ways but easy from Bainbridge Island -- go through Bremerton, Shelton, hit I-5 south of Olympia.  No ferry involved, which is great for a lumber haul -- trailers are expensive on the boat.  I would love to make a connection.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   forestgirl | Aug 20, 2006 06:00am | #13

   PS:  Sorry to hear of your loss in New Orleans.  24 years is a long, long time....must have been hard.  Hope TX treats you well!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

5. 
   John_D | Aug 21, 2006 07:09am | #14

   Your offer may only be good for forestgirl, but if not, I'd be interested in a little of the spruce, and more of the WRC.  I'd love to hear from either you or your brother, I'm John, [email protected], and I live near Seattle.  Thanks. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

6. 
   woodwise2 | Sep 29, 2006 05:15am | #15

   John,

   Did you ever get ahold of my brother?It just doesn't matter, everything is good. No matter where you go there you are.

7. 
   John_D | Sep 30, 2006 10:57am | #16

   Not yet, but I've got that contact information filed away for spring. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

8. 
   woodwise2 | Oct 01, 2006 06:47am | #17

   Just making sure you received his info.Take time to smell the saw dust.

3. 
   BG | Aug 07, 2006 04:52pm | #3

   woodwise2,

   I did a search on Yahoo and was quite surprised by comments on all of Wagners meters. People went into details on strengths and weaknesses of each model. It seems they are all good but have specific features and specific quirks. It might be a good source for you.

1. 
   woodwise2 | Aug 08, 2006 03:16am | #4

   Thanks. I'll do the same.

4. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Oct 02, 2006 01:27am | #18

   WW2, I picked up IIRC the 210 from LV and it works great.  I just couldn't see me going into some guy's hard wood yard and putting holes in his sticks. I also understand that non-pin reads a little more accurate and a little deeper as you should not measure stock 3/4" or less on your bench, cause you will be measuring the bench. Just slide the wood off the edge of the bench with only air to the floor beneath it., that works. good luck, Pat