How to measure moisture in wood

It is important to make sure that wood used in woodworking projects and production work is properly seasoned. This requires the use of a moisture meter but there are some that you need to avoid.
I am very grateful to Wagner, makers of moisture meters for 50 years, in helping me make this video. Here is a link to their woodworking section: www.wagnermeter...

[@alimaleki217]

I was interested in this video because I’m considering buying a wood moisture meter. This video started out educational but as it goes on it sounds more and more like a Wagner commercial.

[@ronh9384]

Thanks Peter for a very informative video. I just found your video today while researching the subject. You may have posted it two years ago but it is the gift that keeps on giving! I noticed in one of your replies you mentioned your tongue and groove barn doors. Did you happen to do a video on that? Thanks again. Ron

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Ron, No, I constructed the barn before I created The New Brit Workshop. My technique is very simple and I will try and think of a way of sharing it without having to make a door from scratch. Cheers. Peter

[@MrBez007]

really useful video thanks peter. Going to have a look for one now. Your friend has an amazing collection.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

o bez Many thanks. Yes, the Wagner is an excellent tool and my friend does have some lovely wood. Peter

[@MrBez007]

New Brit Workshop Its now on my list to save for along with the x carve

[@NewBritWorkshop]

o bez Excellent. Peter

[@eversleyowl]

Great video as usual Peter, very informative and I very much enjoy your relaxed style.But, I have to say I almost fell off my chair when I followed up on the meter and found out how much it cost. I presume the "jab" type are cheaper (but they have the limitations you highlight), but is Wagner the only capacitor type meter you would recommend?Thanks again for all the effort you put into your videos.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+T Radford I did a bit of research before making the video and found that everyone I asked (timber merchant, professional woodworking friends) all said that the jab type are not good at all. When I then looked at the electronic ones the only name that was repeated again and again was Wagner - I did hope to find a UK manufacturer ! I then approached Wagner and they were very helpful. One of my professional friends has been using the same Wagner for over 20 years. You might try ebay for a bargain. Many thanks for the kind words. Peter

[@handyjim]

very good video i may have to get one

[@gavjav1]

Hi Peter hope your well, Im finding the pine wood we use to turn spindles are to dry and very brittle. Do you find this when working with pine.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Gavin, There are many different qualities under the broad banner of pine. Pithy dry wood can be very weak but most are stable enough for bobbins and spindles. You might like to try ash as you are using fairly small pieces of even Maple for a really lovely piece. Peter

[@bufford14]

I could spend all day with your wood suppliers, what other kinds of wood did they have? Thanks again Peter for the great review. mark

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+Mark Burgess Mainly the classical hard woods. Peter

[@wearewoodselect]

Hi that's a very good review... what moisture content would you typically aim for in wood that is being used to make furniture that will be delivered any where in the UK to a customer?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I am currently machining some oak for a dining table. The wood is very well seasoned and is producing about 8% readings. Some oak that I have bought in the past has been up to 16% - perfectly good but I have always left that in the workshop for a couple on months to adjust a little. Peter

[@wearewoodselect]

New Brit Workshop thanks for the reply. Ok, so I should be fairly safe to work with oak at around 10% to send across the UK Thanks

[@michaelglaser1669]

i am doing the exact same thing as you did (non-scientific method). I do have one question, what do we do in the southern states of the united states? It is very humid june-september, inside MC will be 13-15% sometimes! And it is VERY dry during the winter inside of homes due to central air heat! (6% MC) SO what is the solution?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Michael, If the swing in humidity is so great then the style of construction must take account of significant changes in width across solid wood boards. I suspect that plywood and other laminated stock would be the best choice. A tough one. Peter

[@michaell7877]

I think it would have been better if you had bought a couple of meters from other manufacturers before I would make a recommendation to an audience. Even though it was good content for Wagner. Hope to see you make another video with comparison meters.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Michael, I could not afford to do that and so I asked my various professional woodworking friends what they would recommend and it was, without doubt, Wagner. Peter

[@michaell7877]

I looked at them, and the one you are showing they quit making. They other ones too but YIKES! They are like 400 american dollars. Whew, pretty expensive.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Michael, I understand. I recently made a video about an oak dining table with matching benches that I had made. The oak cost over £1,000 and I needed to ensure that it was at the right moisture level when selecting the pieces that I bought. I have made desks with similar material costs and so it is really important to get accurate and consistent readings without damaging the wood. Cheers. Peter

[@Norwegianwoodworker]

Nice video. Have purchased a MMC220 and got it in the mail today. Finnaly I dont have to use my cheap pin meter. :) I could not find the app, what did words did you search with ?? Thangs again for a good video. Best regards T.Robertsen

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi T?? , Try this link to find out more details: www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters-woodworking/wood-moisture-mobile/ Peter

[@Norwegianwoodworker]

Hello again. Thanks that is the one :) Do you have any experiance with euopean? spruce, birtch and pine. What settings have you settled on. Best regards Torgeir Robertsen Norway

[@HewAndAwe]

Hi Peter, am I right in thinking this meter only takes readings of a max depth of 3/4" and no good for thicker timber than 1.5"?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+ben celiz Hi Ben, I think that it is good to about that and doubt whether there is much on the market to go beyond. Peter

[@HewAndAwe]

+New Brit Workshop (Peter) Have you had any experience with this meter? www.tester.co.uk/testo-616-material-moisture-meter ...it measures to a depth of 5cm I've moved out of central London to suffolk and milling my own lumber and nearly finished building a solar kiln so I'm after a meter that can show the MC content in thicker stock like 64mm.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

+ben celiz Hi Ben, I have never seen that meter and find the 50 mm depth somewhat unlikely. It does seem to be a cheap meter though and if it fits your budget and does the job then fine. All I can say is that my professional friends favour Wagner but I would love to have feedback from you if you get a different make as it will help other people make up their mind. Cheers. Peter

[@adrianhatton3403]

Does timber weaken if the moisture content is too low?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Some does but most does not. It can become brittle but the effect is minimal. Peter

[@adrianhatton3403]

New Brit Workshop Thankyou Peter, I'm a Joiner, You never stop learning

[@frankanddanasnyder3272]

Wagner meters...too expensive....

[@ANCAPVoluntaryist]

$500? Ummm NO!