Are all Pinless Moisture Meters Created Equal?
Wagner Electronics invented the first practical and portable Electromagnetic Wave Moisture Meter in the 90′s, and since that time, several other companies, including Delmhorst and Lignomat have also started manufacturing pinless moisture meters. Does the technology behind each meter vary widely, or is it basically the same? Is each meter overly sensitive to surface moisture, as manufacturers of pin moisture meters often claim? Below, we compare the brands.
Delmhorst vs. Lignomat and Wagner
Delmhorst primarily manufactures pin moisture meters. Their Delmhorst AccuScan is the exception to that rule. This analog meter does give reasonable readings most of the time, but it does suffer from severe surface-moisture sensitivity. The AccuScan is also terribly bulky and doesn’t fit nicely in a hand like the Wagner and Lignomat. It’s rubberized buttons feel clunky and the symbols on them – an asterisk, pound sign, water drops, and check mark aren’t intuitive; it takes a thorough read of the manual to understand their functions properly.
Lignomat vs. Delmhorst and Wagner
The Lignomat moisture meter is quite similar to the Delmhorst except for the fact that it advertises a “Dual-depth” feature. Readings can be taken with two settings: near the surface and deeper into the wood. Purportedly, this solves the problem of surface moisture, but after a reading is taken, if you see 14% using the shallow setting and 12% with the other, all you really know is that the surface isn’t as dry as the center. The meter is still sensitive to surface moisture.
Holding the Lignomat in the air after pressing the “read” button gave us a reading of 6.5. Logically, this should be zero, but we assume this error won’t be reflected in a normal %MC range.
Ergonomically, the Lignomat is a big improvement over the Delmhorst (about the same size and shape as the Wagner).
Wagner vs. Lignomat and Delmhorst
Wagner moisture meters were designed to cancel out surface moisture (except for their L607, which is specifically for those who need to measure surface moisture). Their “IntelliSense™ Technology” allows their moisture meters to measure %MC in the wood instead of on the wood; solving the major drawback of most pinless moisture meters.
The ergonomics of the Wagner meters are similar to that of Lignomat, with the same length and just 1/4 inch wider. The larger display of the Wagner makes it slightly easier to glance at a reading, but there were no major viewing issues with the other meters.
Recap
Although each meter we compared is much more convenient than their pinned counterparts, not all meters are sufficiently accurate for use. The Wagner meter came out on top as it was the only meter not affected by surface moisture. Both the Wagner and Lignomat meters were more convenient and less bulky than their Delmhorst counterpart.
Try it yourself: Take a moist cloth and brush it over a board you measured with several of the meters listed above, and watch the readings increase significantly. Try the same with a Wagner meter with IntelliSense (their MMC220, for example). The reading will barely increase at all.
Need instructions for Model L601-3 hand-held moisture meter. Actually all I need is the Hardwood Species Adjustment Table. Could they be e-mailed to me?
I believe you’re looking for the Wagner website over here.
http://www.wagnermeters.com/manuals.php
Best of wishes. By the way, feel free to send in a review of that meter or any other other you use, and let the woodworking community know your opinion! (Including a name and link to your website would be optional.)
I’m looking to measure the mc of veneer that has been laid up on an mdf core. I’m guessing from what you wrote that the Wagner L607 would be the one for me.
Thanks in advance.
Paul
Paul,
What I know about the Wagner L607 is that it is designed specifically for finely sanded surfaces – and your application seems to qualify. That meter also is designed to include shallow-depth moisture in it’s readings – which is what you’ll want for a veneer.
A Lignomat dual-depth is probably your second option – but I wouldn’t trust their meters as much as Wagner.
Finally, you could get a pin moisture meter, but I’d recommend against it. They’re just too easy to fool and too inconvenient.
Hi there
Do you know where I can find good non-invasive Moisture Meters foe concrete ? I heard Tramex has some but can’t find anything on internet. Any suggestions ? Would you recomend Tramex ?
Thanks
Adam
What are you planning on using the concrete moisture meter for? Wagner has an article about the different types of concrete meters, but their conclusions would also apply to Tramex.
Hi,
I gather there a few pin tip meters on the market which people use for testing the MC of logs. However, I also understand from various reviews that readings are not always accurate or / and that the pins break after regular use, rendering the meter useless or damaged so much that it has to be replaced after a year or so. I also gather that these meters require the pins to be driven-in at least 5mm into the surface, which is often very difficult if one wishes to burn hardwood such as oak.
Through your experience and knowledge of the market are you able to recommend an appropriate meter suitable for testing the MC of hardwood logs to be used in a wood burning stove?
Regards,
John
Hi John,
I don’t have personal knowledge of Firewood Moisture Meters but I have found some blog posts and links that might help you or where your question might be able to be answered.
http://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/cheap-firewood-moisture-meters-which-one.82536/
http://burndryfirewood.com/
http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/reviews/archive/2011/11/02/moisture-meters.aspx
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?3218-Cheap-but-good-moisture-meter
I hope some of these will be helpful to you.
Best Regards,
Admin