Pin moisture meters, originally designed for the lumber and woodworking industries, are now used in multiple trades for quality assurance. These tools are an integral part of what you do every day, whether you are producing lumber, a woodworker, a flooring contractor, or an inspector.
Delmhorst understands that the primary goal of any wood production operation is to deliver high-quality wood products that meet or exceed client expectations.
A moisture meter can help you to meet and exceed your customers’ demands when measuring wood moisture. The best way to use these tools is to understand their capabilities and limitations.
Join us as we discuss how pin moisture meters work and the features and benefits of Delmhorst’s JX, and RDM-3 moisture meters. We also provide you with the necessary information to make an informed choice of which meter is suitable for your application in the lumber and woodworking industry.
How do Pin Moisture Meters Measure MC?
Understanding moisture content (MC) and how it is measured ensures the quality of the end product. Let’s recap how moisture meters work:
Wood is hygroscopic - this means that wood absorbs and loses moisture depending on the conditions in its surrounding environment. Wood initially dries from the outer surface, shrinking the “shell”, and putting the inner “core” under compression. This provides unique opportunities and characteristics that allows you to measure the amount of moisture inside the wood and determine how it is drying, with the right equipment.
Pin moisture meters use electrical conductivity to determine the moisture content. This means that they measure changes in electrical properties, which are caused by the presence of water in wood fibers. Collecting the data allows woodworking professionals to make informed decisions in a quick and effective way.
Precision Tools for Lumber and Flooring Professionals
Delmhorst JX-Meters:
The Delmhorst NavigatorⓇ family, JX-20 and JX-30 models offer professional-grade moisture measurement for lumber, woodworking, flooring, and inspection applications. While both provide high-quality functionality, the main difference lies in connectivity.
The JX-30 includes all features of the JX-20, plus BluetoothⓇ integration with the Delmhorst EDGE® App. This allows for enhanced data management, analysis, and sharing via your smartphone or tablet.
Consider whether Bluetooth® connectivity and app integration are important to your workflow and professional needs when making a decision which model to buy.
As Tom Laurenzi, CEO from Delmhorst puts it, “The JX-Meters and EDGE® App will take you to the next level of pin meters' moisture measurement for lumber and woodworking applications.”
Delmhorst’s EDGE® App
The Delmhorst EDGE® App is a powerful companion tool for your Bluetooth-enabled Delmhorst moisture meters, specifically compatible with any "-30" model (such as the JX-30). This application improves your moisture measurement capabilities, streamlines data management processes, and is available for download through Google Play or Apple App Store.
With the EDGE® App on your smartphone, you can:
- Access an expanded wood species database (197 US and international species).
- View a comprehensive list of your moisture readings
- Access statistical analyses of your measurements
- Visualize trends by plotting readings on your device
- Export data (.csv format) for thorough record-keeping
Delmhorst continues to develop and improve the EDGE® App, ensuring you have access to the latest features and enhancements for your moisture measurement tasks.
Intuitive and Simple Operation
The JX-20 and JX-30 designs prioritize user experience, providing you with intuitive and simple operation. The large, dashboard-like display features adjustable backlighting, contrast, and brightness, allowing you to adapt to various lighting conditions commonly encountered in woodworking environments.
Unlike previous models that required a steeper learning curve, you'll find the JX-Meters easier to navigate. Both devices group required features for wood moisture testing, ensuring you can quickly locate and use the functions you need.
Electrode Compatibility
If you're upgrading from an older Delmhorst meter, you'll appreciate the JX-20 and JX-30's compatibility with your existing probes and electrodes. You can continue using your current equipment if it's in good working condition.
Species Corrections
Woodworking, construction, and inspection projects require wood species corrections for quality control and accuracy. The JX-20 (74 species) and JX-30 (74 species with 123 available through the EDGE® App) offer built-in species corrections. Simply identify the wood species, select it and the meter will do the rest for you!
Implementing species corrections, allows you to:
- Compensate for variations in electrical properties between wood types
- Obtain more precise moisture content readings
- Improve the reliability of your moisture management decisions
Other Important Built-In Corrections
Wood Temperature
It is important to understand how temperature affects the moisture content in wood. The electrical conductivity of wood, which forms the basis for many pin moisture meter measurements, can fluctuate with temperature changes.
Your moisture meter's readings are minimally affected by temperature between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 32.2 degrees Celsius). However, outside this range, temperature effects should be taken into consideration:
- At higher temperatures: Your meter may indicate higher moisture content than is actually present.
- At lower temperatures: Your meter may indicate lower moisture content than is actually present.
Delmhorst’s JX pin meters offer built-in wood temperature corrections in Fahrenheit and Celcius.
Insulated and Non-Insulated Electrodes and Pins
The original calibration was based on 4 non-insulated pins, which is still the Delmhorst standard today.
The type of pins used in moisture meters, whether insulated or non-insulated, impacts the moisture readings more than the number of pins. Insulated pins, like those in the 26-ES electrode, were later developed for checking lumber with moisture gradients. Insulated pins read lower than non-insulated ones. Delmhorst’s JX-Meters automatically adjusts for the pin or electrode type if properly set, improving accuracy, especially when dealing with non-uniform moisture distribution in wood.
Internal Calibration Check and Support
The JX-Range pin moisture meters have a built-in calibration check feature, allowing you to test the meter’s calibration with the touch of a button. Just select the calibration check option in the meter’s menu, and you’re good to go.
RDM-3 Lumber and Woodworking Moisture Meter
The RDM-3 moisture meter is a useful data acquisition and management and tool for lumber producers who regularly dry large quantities of wood in kilns.
This moisture meter allows you to:
- Collect multiple readings
- Store statistics for groups of samples
- Download data to your PC via USB
- Generate reports to meet quality control and client requirements
Choosing the Right Meter for Your Application
It is important to choose the right moisture meter for your application. Please see our comparison table below to determine which meter suits your requirements.
Accurate moisture measurement is critical for the success of your lumber production, woodworking, and flooring projects. Delmhorst's range of moisture meters, including the JX-20, JX-30, and RDM-3, offer you the advanced features and precision necessary to maintain the highest quality standards in your work.
The JX-Meters provide intuitive operation and required features for reliable measurements, with the JX-30 offering additional BluetoothⓇ connectivity for enhanced data management. The RDM-3 serves as a powerful data acquisition and management tool, allowing you to track moisture content across large lumber batches efficiently.
Invest in Delmhorst's pin moisture meters today to achieve superior results in every project, save time, and build your reputation for quality craftsmanship. Make informed decisions based on precise moisture data and take your wood-related operations to the next level!
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