I have finally found a sawmill down below Atlanta with great prices on custom cut hardwood lumber. This is air dried lumber and I want to get a handle on moisture content. This is a new one for me. I want to be sure that moisture is at least close to 6-8% before I have it sawed and take it home. I need help on choosing and purchasing a moisture meter. Any one out there with some advice?
I don't believe you will get any wood ( air dried) that reads 6-8% water content.
You should probably be looking at 10-12% when you mill it and a further reduction when you store it indoors.
Try Lee Valley for a decent meter..
Cheers
Bob
I have a Ligomat pin meter and a Wagner pinless meter. The Wagner has gone missing about 3 years ago and I haven't found it. That's why I bought the Ligomat.
Bob is right most air-dried lumber will be close to the EMC (equilibrium moisture content) for for wood outdoors and what region you are in. Around here it is between 12-13 %...even after you take 6-8% wood out of a kiln it will gain moisture to the EMC. So before and after you plane it, sticker it, put some weight on it and let it rest for a few days and equalize to the shop's environment… For Atlanta, GA it is around 13.9% on average in September. It will vary from day to day and with the weather.. A good book to use as a reference is:
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