Expert: Jamie Yocono - 4/14/2009

Question
Hi, I live in a a very dry area , considered high desert south of Laramie Wy  about 8000 ft. I just bought some rough sawn ponderosa pine 2 X 4's and 1X4" and some 1X6"'s and would like to buy a moisture meter , the brand  I'm thinking of is called "Timber Check" for around $90 dollars its made in canada
and am wondering if you would reccoment that brand. I am a interme4diate wood worker with  a thickness planer, joiner , table saw , miter saw etc. I think I have them stickered properly. I bought the lumber in the first part of this month - April. This is just a fun hobby , no commercial stuff . Anything you say will be appreciated
Thanks
Steve Mumford

Answer
Hey Steve,

I don't really know too much about moisture meters, so I wasn't going to pass on answering your question.

But I buy some of my specialty tools (like this meter) from Lee Valley, in Canada. So I checked their website (www.leevalley.com), as I trust the products that they sell. Small world! They happen to sell the exact meter that you mentioned - the Timber Check.

I've been buying from Lee Valley for many years, and I've always been really impressed with their products.  After a ton of purchases, a few of the things they sold me didn't live up to my expectations. They've always been very good about returned items, and I'm pretty sure that if you are dissatisfied with your meter, you can return it. I would ask first, but if they say yes, how can you go wrong?

That's the best answer I can give you. They sell quality stuff, so I'm confident that if they're selling the Timber Check model, it must be a pretty good one.

Good luck, write back if you have any other questions for me.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com