Moisture meters are an important part of the woodturning tool kit. They can help you determine when your wood is dry and need more moisture, or when it is too wet and will not hold its shape.
There are a few different types of moisture meters available on the market, so it can be hard to decide which one is the best for you.
In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the best moisture meter for woodturning on the market so that you can choose the one that is perfect for your needs.
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What Is The Best Moisture Meter For Woodturning?
| Image | Product | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter | Pin | SEE BEST PRICE |
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Klein Tools ET140 | Pinless | SEE BEST PRICE |
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Pinless Wood Moisture Meter – 4 IN 1 | Pinless | SEE BEST PRICE |
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R&D Wood Moisture Meter | Pinless | SEE BEST PRICE |
Moisture meters for woodturning can be used to check the moisture levels in the wood, and to help control the drying time of the wood. There are a few different types of moisture meters available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Here are the best moisture meters on the market:
General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter
Determine the level of humidity in wood quickly and easily with this digital moisture meter from General Tools. The MMD4E is perfect for woodturners who want to know when the wood is dry enough to start turning it, by detecting high levels of moisture before they can cause problems like mold growth or not holding its shape.
The General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter is a handheld device that is perfect for detecting the presence of moisture in different materials.
The meter has a large 0.3″ high digit display that is backlit, making it easy to read even in low light conditions. This product is incredibly easy to use- just insert the probe into the material you’re testing, and read the results on the LCD screen.
Additionally, the meter includes a mildew detection feature, which makes it ideal for use in assessing the level of moisture present in building materials such as drywall, plaster, and insulation.
You can use the HOLD button to freeze the reading, so you get the chance to write it somewhere later. It has a lengthy battery life, but the power is turned off when it is left unattended for a period of time.
Like most meters on the market, it has stainless steel pins that may be damage the surface they’re measuring but this is not always a bad thing since you will most likely use a chisel to turn this piece of wood into an object.
The cover can be difficult to remove, which makes the product a little annoying to operate.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Easy to use
- Large backlit LCD screen
Cons:
- Not pinless
Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter
The Klein Tools Pinless Moisture Meter is the perfect tool for contractors and homeowners who want to measure moisture content in building materials without having to pierce the material. This meter is fast, accurate, and easy to use. It has a large reverse-contrast display that makes it easy to read in low-light conditions.
The Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter is a full-featured tool that includes hold, low battery, and auto-power off functions. This meter is perfect for taking moisture measurements in a variety of materials, such as wood, drywall, plaster, and concrete. With its pinless design, the ET140 eliminates the need to poke holes in surfaces to take measurements, which can damage materials.
The package includes a detector, a 9V battery, and an instruction manual.
Pros:
- Pinless
- Easy to read
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Needs a screwdriver to open the battery cover
Pinless Wood Moisture Meter (4 in 1)
The Pinless Wood Moisture Meter is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to make sure their wood is properly moisture-free. With 4 modes, it can measure moisture levels in softwood, hardwood, drywall, and masonry. Plus, the fast measurement ensures accuracy every time.
If you’re looking for a reliable moisture meter to help you make informed decisions about your wood turning projects, look no further. With an updated detection chip, this moisture meter is more accurate than ever, and its ergonomic design makes it easy to use.
This Pinless Wood Moisture Meter – 4 IN 1 is a must-have for anyone who works with wood or building materials. It quickly and accurately measures the moisture content, so you can be sure that your material is at the right level before you start your project. The built-in alarm system alerts you when the moisture content is too high or low, so you can take corrective action immediately.
If you’re a woodworker, then you know the importance of keeping your stock at the right moisture level. Too much moisture and your projects will warp and shrink; too little, and they’ll crack and split. This Pinless Wood Moisture Meter will make it easy to get it just right. With an ultra-large LCD screen that reflects the moisture levels in the wood, you’ll be able to easily see when it’s time to start hydrating or let your wood dry out.
The meter has all the features you might need like: auto shutdown, data retention, and four detection modes(drywall, masonry, hardwood, and softwood).
Pros:
- Pinless
- HD LCD Display
- Accurate
- Easy to use
Cons:
- None
R&D Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
This easy-to-use, pinless moisture meter is perfect for contractors, woodworkers, and do-it-yourselfers. It quickly and accurately measures the moisture content of wood without damaging the surface.
The large LCD display makes it easy to read measurements, and the four calibration settings make it adaptable to a variety of conditions.
This moisture meter is perfect for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and accurate way to measure the moisture levels in their wood. The backlit LCD screen and 3-color LED bar graph to make it easy to read, even in low light, and the HOLD button locks in your measurements so you don’t have to write them down. The auto power-off feature ensures that your battery will last longer. The 9V battery is included in the package.
This clever little tool is perfect for detecting moisture behind your work surfaces. It has a visual and audible alarm to let you know if there’s too much moisture. It also features an auxiliary LED that is quite useful when working in dark areas.
Pros:
- Pinless
- Large screen that is easy to read
- Easy to use
- Over range alarm
Cons:
- The instruction manual has some mistakes when it comes to softwoods and hardwoods
- Does not look very sturdy
How To Choose The Best Moisture Meter For Woodturning
It is important to choose the right moisture meter for woodturning. There are a few factors to consider when choosing a moisture meter, such as accuracy, size, and price.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best moisture meter for your needs.
Pin or pinless
Some moisture meters include pins that need to be inserted into the material that you wish to read. This will leave some marks on the material.
The pinless moisture meters can detect the moisture levels using the electromagnetic field and are much easier to use.
Meters designed to use pins are nearly always less expensive than their counterparts that don’t, and they can usually provide a more reliable reading. They are also less likely to mistake a metal surface for water, which is one of the main problems of pinless meters.
Accuracy
Moisture meters are available in a variety of accuracy levels. Some are guaranteed to be within 0.1 percent, while others may be off by as much as 2 or 3 percent. The more accurate the meter is, the more expensive it will probably be.
But if you are a professional woodturner and you are drying your own wood, a few points of accuracy are worth considering. In this instance, it is recommended to invest in a very accurate meter.
Price
Moisture meters have become popular in recent years for a variety of reasons. They are an affordable way to measure moisture levels in materials, they are accurate to within a few percent, they are portable, and they can be used in a wide range of applications.
The price will vary depending on how accurate they are, how versatile, and if it is a pin or pinless model.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the best moisture meter for woodturning is the one that is most accurate and easy to use. There are many different types of moisture meters on the market, so it is important to do your research before purchasing one. Make sure to read reviews and compare prices before making a purchase.
If you are in the market for a moisture meter, be sure to consider the ones mentioned in this article.