I am looking to purchase a moisture meter and I would like to get some recommendations. I mean part of doing my remodel myself is to get to purchase new 'toys'! Seriously though, I am buying the meter to check my flooring etc. but I am a novice woodworker so a moisture meter would be a nice addition to my shop. I don't want to spend a fortune, I'm thinking $300 tops (I've found a Wagner 205 at Woodcraft for $280) but of course, would like to get one cheaper if possible. I'm not opposed to purchasing quality equipment though.

What I am finding is that there are entirely too many meters with too many features out there! Which is why I am here looking for your recommendations. Please let me know what you guys are using and why you like them.

Thanks for the help!

Jeff

Not a big fan of pinless moisture meters myself. I use this one. Which BTW is the one most called for from manufactures.

http://www.moisturemeterstore.com/moist ... m285.shtml

I'm with ya ...But "non distructive" does have it's place.

I prefer this, it is easy to use and accurate:

http://www.gann.de/default.asp?action=products_gm&id=16
http://www.gann.de/default.asp?lng=en

Moisture meters without pins often cause mistakes (rough measurement)

Very true.
I use non destructive when a hardwood floor is already installed in a home, and I'm trying to locate the source of a moisture issue.

That is the meter all other meters try to compare to.
It is the best all around meter on the market, that is why I own one.
With all meters made these days with plastic housings, I highly suggest an external probe. These hard dense tropical woods, can bust the plastic housing around the pins. I know from experience!!

Ya, to check waterbased finish, to see if your ready for a second coat.
Other than that they will lead you down the wrong road often, as it measures density, and each board can have different densities.

Are the lower priced meters worth getting?

http://www.amazon.com/PSI-MMETER2-Digital-Readout-Moisture/dp/B000N4K4MM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1256139851&sr=8-1

or

http://www.amazon.com/HQRP-JT-4G-Firewood-Moisture-Meter/dp/B000UFI2D2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1256139851&sr=8-3

No, they are just toys.

Are there any other models you can recommend for a DIY'er with a couple of rooms worth of flooring to install? Perhaps in the less that $100 category...

Thanks

I guess it you must get a cheapy non-invasive meter just take comparison readings of similar wood.

Well, I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and get the Tramex that floormeintucson recommended. I was kind of hoping to hear that the non contact types were better, mostly because I will be using this in my wood shop once I'm done with the flooring. It would be nice to not have to scar the wood but if those aren't good then I'll stick to the pin type.

Thanks for the replies!

Richh, you might call around and see if any tool rental places might have one. I'm thinking probably not but it would be worth a shot.

Jeff