Australian Woodsmith

Moisture Meters

In my experience, most of the problems that arise with a wood project are due to moisture, in one way or another. Moisture causes expansion and contraction. It can also lead to finishing issues, along with general movement and warpage.

With that in mind, it amazes me how few woodworkers own a moisture meter and check their stock before beginning a project. A moisture meter, in simple terms, reads how much moisture is present in the wood. Even a difference of a few percentage points in moisture can cause issues during building. Ensuring that your wood is at the correct moisture content helps get your projects off on the right foot. So here, I want to take a look at a couple of different types of moisture meters, and explain the benefits of each.

PIN METER

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