Moisture Meter ...

[PRBuzz]

Lots available on Amazon for under $50. No recommendations.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Lots available on Amazon for under $50. No recommendations.

I'm looking at those ,,, jeeeez a bunch of them .. Lots of wood burners use them it seems..

[numbskull]

I don't think one is necessary since most lumber is already kiln dried and has sat long enough to equilibrate with outside humidity. Yes, lumber will dry a few percent further when brought indoors in the winter, but it will also re-expand a few percent higher when sitting around in the summer (or after being swum). This is the reason Mirror Coat cracks (no stretch). No amount of sealing will stop this....it only can slow it a touch.

If you want to know if your plug blank is at equilibrium, just weigh it, wait a week, and weigh it again. When the weight is stable, the plug is as dry as it is going to get for the humidity it is stored in.

Just to bother you more, a plug becomes oval when the humidity changes either way from when it was turned. Wood expands/shrinks more parallel to the grain lines (when viewed end on) than perpendicularly. I think you can reduce splitting in maple plugs by drilling your hook holes parallel to the grain lines (rather than across them) for the same reason.

[BigFish]

Whats the point? You drop yours in the water to hydro-orientate? Guys...it ain't brain surgery!

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Whats the point? You drop yours in the water to hydro-orientate?

Larry its totally sealed when they go in the drink .. don't knock it if you never tried it . I was thinking moisture meter mostly for AYC .. maybe me ,,but stuff seams fresher .. I've never tested wood for moisture ... would like to know ..

[BigFish]

Originally Posted by Tagger

Larry its totally sealed when they go in the drink .. don't knock it if you never tried it . I was thinking moisture meter mostly for AYC .. maybe me ,,but stuff seams fresher .. I've never tested wood for moisture ... would like to know ..

How can you seal it if you haven't drilled it yet? Eyes, belly holes, etc.?

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by BigFish

How can you seal it if you haven't drilled it yet? Eyes, belly holes, etc.?

yes ... turned round ,oven dry,, sealed,,, find top ,, dry again then drill belly holes,,lip slot,,eyes .. slope .. then after all that re-seal ... labor intensive .. told you all my secrets ,, now ,, whats your clear coat ???

[Charleston]

Tagger, it's those pesky little free radicals that will get ya. You don't need no damn moisture meter.

[Backbeach Jake]

I've been shopping for a moisture meter myself. I cut some limbs from a cedar in my front yard that will be plugs someday. I figure a meter will tell me when that day will be.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by Charleston

Tagger, it's those pesky little free radicals that will get ya. You don't need no damn moisture meter.

Free Radicals ? I know that means something smart but over my head .. Lock up the free radicals ..

[Jigman]

Doing the hydro thing, the blank is hardly in the water. Not like you are soaking it for a while. Not in more than a few seconds. Turn the blank, cut the ends off, dunk it, mark it, wipe it off, let it dry for a day, drill holes, move on to sealing. Never had an issue, even with wood what absorbs water pretty well.

Jigman

[jeffthechef]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I
If you want to know if your plug blank is at equilibrium, just weigh it, wait a week, and weigh it again. When the weight is stable, the plug is as dry as it is going to get for the humidity it is stored in.

.

exactly. i've been cutting some of my own wood as some of you guys have offered me advice here know.after ripping, sealing ends, i enter the weight on each piece. it sets in a dehumidified basement. as time goes on i continually weigh and record weight. once it stops losing weight, voila, its done. for me this works. if you want to spend on the wood-ometer, i guess thats another choice. the theory of it ain't rocket science is my look into it, but i understand needs for accuracy some have.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by numbskull

This is the reason Mirror Coat cracks (no stretch). No amount of sealing will stop this....it only can slow it a touch.

In havn't used mirror coat in years .. I buy different clear coats every year .. from 85 a gallon to 187 dollars for 2 gallon kit .. will try another this year .. unless Larry or Don will just tell me what there using ..