Lignomat

A wood moisture meter measures the percentage of water content in wood relative to its dry weight. Woodworkers use moisture meters to verify that lumber has acclimated to shop conditions before milling, gluing, or finishing — preventing shrinkage, joint failure, and finish delamination caused by wood movement.

Pin-type meters measure electrical resistance between two pins inserted into the wood, giving a reading at a specific depth. Pinless meters use electromagnetic signals to average moisture across a larger area without penetrating the surface. Pin meters are typically more precise for small pieces; pinless meters are faster for scanning large quantities of lumber.

The Lignomat Mini-Ligno E/D is a pin-type meter that measures electrical resistance between two contact pins pressed into the wood surface. The meter converts the resistance reading to a moisture content percentage based on the wood species setting.

For most indoor furniture and cabinetry in North America, wood should be between 6% and 8% moisture content before final milling and joinery. The target depends on your region's average indoor relative humidity — wood should be at equilibrium with the environment where the finished piece will live.

Yes. Different wood species have different electrical properties, so most quality meters — including Lignomat models — include species correction settings or tables. Always set the correct species or apply the manufacturer's correction factor for accurate results.

Take meter readings on the same boards every few days. When the readings stabilize and stop dropping, the wood has reached equilibrium with your shop environment. The time required varies with initial moisture content, board thickness, and shop humidity.

Pin-type meters can penetrate thin finish coats, but heavy films may affect accuracy. For finished surfaces, readings should be interpreted carefully and compared against unfinished reference pieces from the same material.

Yes — Infinity Tools offers price matching on qualifying products. See the price-match policy page for eligibility and instructions.

Infinity Tools backs all products it sells with a commitment to quality. Full terms are available on the quality guarantee page.

The Infinity Tools learning center covers wood science topics including moisture content, acclimation, and how to prevent movement-related failures in woodworking projects.