As a woodworker or carpenter, you know the importance of a wood humidity meter. You know that too much moisture can quickly ruin your finished products. You need to be able to check the moisture levels of the wood before, during, and after your work is done. Wet wood swells, splits, and cracks. ood humidity meters help prevent these issues so the quality of your work is top-notch.
How Do Wood Humidity Meters Work?
Wood humidity meters measure the moisture levels in wood. They do this in one of two ways. Meters test a sample of the wood by inserting a small pin or by using non-invasive technology.
- Pin. These moisture meters operate by inserting a small pin into the wood. This will leave a mark. But, before you write them off, know that they're useful for when you need to measure an uneven or multi-layered surface. Meters with pins can also better ascertain the depth of the moisture problem.
- Non-invasive. These meters use an electromagnetic radio frequency to measure the moisture levels and don't need a pin. They're able to scan large areas quickly and accurately. They also don't cause any damage to the wood.
Why Do You need a Wood Humidity Meter?
You may be wondering why you would need a moisture meter. After all, you just have to inspect the wood carefully before you buy or sell it.
The problem with visual inspection alone is that wood that is exposed to moisture doesn't always show signs initially. Moisture pockets can be hidden deep beneath the surface of wood, hidden from sight and touch tests.
Using a moisture meter to detect hidden pockets of moisture provides extra assurance and peace of mind for professionals.
Uses
Wood moisture meters are helpful when you're buying wood. But, when else do you need one?
- When you want to know how long the wood will take to dry. Wood humidity meters will tell you how wet wood is. Many pieces of wood have small amounts of moisture. This doesn't mean the wood needs to be discarded. You just need to take some time to let it dry out. You wouldn't know if the wood is salvageable or the length of time you need to dry it without a wood moisture meter.
- When you need to determine if a surface is too wet to paint on. Moisture can cause the paint to bubble.If you need to paint, polish, or apply a finish to a product, you need to know how wet it is.
- When you're working on a restoration project. Wood humidity meters let contractors and carpenters know when wood is safe to use and when it's too moist and therefore unreliable.
Products
There are many options for professionals when it comes to moisture meters. How do you know which one is right for you? Here is a list of some of the most popular wood moisture meters:
- ProScan. Non-invasive meter used to detect moisture levels in wood, flooring, and can also be used on concrete and drywall.
- J-Lite. Pin meter with an easy to read LED display.
- RDM-3. Handheld pin meter used widely by workers in the lumber and woodworking industries. It features a digital screen and is lightweight and affordable.
- J-2000. Versatile pin meter with a digital display. It's lightweight and has built-in wood species correction, temperature correction, and plenty of storage, so you can save your results.
- J-4. Pin meter with a simple design and user-friendly controls.
Where can you get a Wood Humidity Meter?
Delmhorst has the tools you need to resolve your wet wood woes. Visit their website today and explore their wide selection of wood humidity testers. If you don't find their products online, they will direct you to a hardware store nearby where you can get one. Who else "wood" you call? Call Delmhorst today.
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