Lumber Moisture

[thiggy]

I have had some of my Katrina harvested pecan lumber stacked and stickered in the barn air drying for nearly two years. I am thinking of begining to use some of it for a few projects. What is an acceptable moisture level? I need to purchase a moisture meter and would appreciate any suggestions. I don't want to purchase junk, but price is one consideration.

[cabinetman]

I've had a Delmhorst meter for years, that works great but is on the pricey side. I felt the price was warranted as a trade necessity. But you don't have to spend a lot to get a meter that will work for you. Maybe some of these moisture meters can fit the bill. Harbor Freight has one for under $20.00, see it here. For the price, I can't tell you how good it is but it is inexpensive.

[Ken Massingale]

I use the Timber Check meter, it's available for around $60, http://pricecutter.com/product.asp?pn=400-2030&c2p=cs&Timber+Check+%3Cbr%3EMoisture+Meter&bh cd2=1182280325

I haven't compared it to others, but following it's readings I haven't had any issues with stock morphing into unknown shapes.

Just in case and you may know this, Pecan is an Ant magnet for some reason. May want to check some hidden places in that stack for the little boogers. When it's down to 10-12% move what you need into the shop to acclimate for a couple of weeks or so, shoot for 8%.
Good luck with the Pecan

[thiggy]

Thanks for your responses. I'll check out several of these. Ken, what do you mean about the ants and pecan. I know that frequently fire ants will infest fallen limbs left for a while in the field, but are you referring to stacked and stickered lumber?

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks for your responses. I'll check out several of these. Ken, what do you mean about the ants and pecan. I know that frequently fire ants will infest fallen limbs left for a while in the field, but are you referring to stacked and stickered lumber?

Yes, I have had Ants (not fire ants) infest stickered Pecan, especially some that had bark left on the edges. Even a few boards with no bark that had inclusions where the ants could get to the interior. I have read of others having the same experience. Some Raid or Black Flag takes care of them.

[SARGE..g-47]

Morning Thiggy...

I have a Timber-check I use at the source.. hard-wood supplier, mill. I use an electronic Wagner from that point in the wood rack in the shop to actual cutting.. Most of the name brands are excellent.

I work with quite a bit of pecan as I had a cousin that took down a number or tree's for progress ( ) and he gave me 1 board foot for each I surfaced for him. Most is gone now as I used it and sold some to supplement some major additions to machinery in the last year. Ken is right on with his call of ants. I didn't have a problem once it got to my shop, but had to de-ant it when it arrived to me. Not a biggie though.

The moisture range you want to achieve is between 8%-12% with 10% being perfect. But... it's not a perfect world and a reading one day can vary to the next because as with rust on cast iron... moisture comes and goes very quickly.

Regards...