Science Proves Which Wood Moisture Meter is Best

About this video

• Video Title: Science Proves Which Wood Moisture Meter is Best
• Channel: WoodRidge Creek
• Speakers: John (implied, as he's the presenter)
• Duration: 00:34:22

Overview

This video presents a scientific and rigorous comparison of different wood moisture meters. The presenter uses the oven dry method and laboratory-grade equipment to determine the accuracy and repeatability of several pinned and pinless moisture meters, ranging in price from inexpensive to very expensive. The goal is to provide a definitive answer on which meters perform best.

Key takeaways

• Scientific Methodology: The video employs the scientific method, specifically the oven dry test, using a laboratory oven and scale for accurate baseline moisture content measurements, differentiating it from other YouTube reviews.
• Meter Types and Price Points: Four meters are tested: the Tesman ($15, pinned), the FLIR MR55 ($160, pinned), the R&D MT28 ($40, pinless), and the Wagner Orion 950 ($600, pinless).
• Testing Environment: Testing is conducted in a controlled environment with no drafts and stable temperature/humidity to ensure accurate results.
• Oven Dry Method: Wood samples are weighed, dried in a precise laboratory oven for 24 hours, and weighed again to calculate their actual moisture content. This calculated value is then compared to the readings from the moisture meters.
• Performance Ranking:
  1. Wagner Orion 950 (Pinless): The clear winner, demonstrating superior accuracy and repeatability across all metrics.
  2. R&D MT28 (Pinless): Performed exceptionally well for its low price, showing both accuracy and repeatability.
  3. FLIR MR55 (Pinned): Came in third, with acceptable accuracy but not as good as the top two.
  4. Tesman TWWM 186 (Pinned): Ranked fourth, showing good repeatability but poor accuracy.
• Pinned vs. Pinless: Pinless meters are generally more accurate, especially for woodworkers who need to avoid leaving holes in their projects. Pinned meters can be cheaper but create damage and require testing deeper into the wood, not just the surface.
• Cost vs. Accuracy: While the most expensive meter (Orion 950) won, the second-best performer was the R&D MT28, a significantly cheaper pinless option, suggesting good value can be found.