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Osage moisture content
Eric Krewson:
I always used a pinless meter that appeared to be very accurate, it may have been off a percent or so but any stave it said was dry, was dry when I started working it down. I left a new battery in it, these newer batteries leak and this one ate up the battery terminals and put my meter out of action, I am not working much osage now so I haven't had it fixed.
The way to never burn out a bulb in your drying box is to insulate it well, put more lights in it than you need, use 100W bulbs and put them on a dimmer switch, I have a string of 3 100W bulbs in my drying box. You can get 100 degrees in your box with the lights barely glowing, this way they never burn out. I changed the bulbs in my box from 60W to 100W about 15 years ago and never had a bulb burn out. I cranked up my dimmer switch one time and my box got up to 145 degrees if I remember right.
Muskyman:
Selfbow, I’m assuming you are referring to during the build as far as the 7 to 9 percent mc goes?
Also do the pinless moisture meters test just at the surface or how’s that work.
The stave I’ve been working on that I was trying to test I couldn’t get a reading on which is why I tested my staves I had harvested last September. If I recall correctly most of the moisture meters don’t read below 5 percent. I have been keeping that stave indoors and have been doing some heating with wood but typically from around 5pm till around midnight. I’m guessing that probably helped dry it out. Also had steamed the limbs so I might check it again in a few days.
I’m getting close to time to start bending it so I’m gonna keep an eye on the mc
Eric Krewson:
Pinless meters read the M/C to the center of the wood not just the surface, they tend to be expensive and some work better than others.
I have had this one for 25 years and had it rebuilt once after 20 years, a rebuild cost $99. compared to the cost of a new one this was a bargain.
Selfbowman:
--- Quote from: Eric Krewson on February 16, 2024, 03:04:32 pm ---Pinless meters read the M/C to the center of the wood not just the surface, they tend to be expensive and some work better than others.
I have had this one for 25 years and had it rebuilt once after 20 years, a rebuild cost $99. compared to the cost of a new one this was a bargain.
--- End quote ---
Eric I also agree With what you say about the pin type moisture testers. Thats what I have and yes they are not fool proof but do give you a starting point.
Eric Krewson:
I bought another on off eBay yesterday for $40. Sometimes I get burned buying used stuff, sometimes I find a gem that hasn't been used much.
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