Asking for help with moisture content

[triton]

Hi all,
I've just been given the use of a moisture reader (hygrometer?), it's a fairly old Protimeter timber master with a shoulder strap, definately not the single handed items around now.
It has 3 buttons with a list of different woods but Yew isn't one of them, along with the push in probes, it has a hammer probe and another socket for temperature.
My request for help is to ask which woods would be comparible to Yew for moisture content?  Different staves are reading between 14-18%.  A piece of Yew under my desk is 14% along with a pair of Oak pew ends.
Have I already answered my own question and can safely assume that around 14% is an ideal ambient moisture?

[George Tsoukalas]

I'm not sure what you are using but if it measures the actual moisture of the stave then I prefer 6-10%. I like hickory around 6% and osage at 8%. I've only worked a couple of yew and they were slow aged and I don't even remember if I checked their moisture. Jawge

[Blacktail]

if its a stave you checking.and its 14 percent.maybe you could rought out a bow (take all uwanted wood off)and bring it in side  70-80 degrees for a week and that might get you to 10 percent...john

[triton]

10% is what I've read before but here's the trouble I'm having:
3 buttons on the meter; Green button 'A' has a list below from Ash - European to Walnut - American.
Red button 'B' lists Ash - America to Walnut - N. Guinnea.  Blue bitton 'C' lists Beech - European to Walnut - Queensland.  From the different woods I've tried it on, for instance Oak, the difference in readings between each of the ranges (Button A,B or C) can be between 2-4%.
On the same piece of yew I get results between 14-18% again depending on which range I use.
I suppose the resistance is altered depending on density of the wood and can only really be used as a rough estimate. If I wait until I get an average of around 10% would that suffice?  But then given the ranges and the omission of Yew, it could be + or - upto 4%

Or am I just being too anally retentive about it?  I was aiming for that 10% as that seems to be the figure most others have quoted.  I was just wondering if there is a comparible wood which will give me a clue.
Would you worry about 2-4% here or there?

[George Tsoukalas]

Ok I understand. No idea whether the yew is A,B or C. Can you call the manufacturer? Jawge

[Aosda]

Maybe this will help. It's for the new Protimeter Timber Master(hand held one).  But it's a reference chart for wood.

Tavis

http://testproducts.com/protimeter/manuals/wood_caibration_cross_reference-v2.pdf

[triton]

Maybe this will help. It's for the new Protimeter Timber Master(hand held one).  But it's a reference chart for wood.

Tavis

http://testproducts.com/protimeter/manuals/wood_caibration_cross_reference-v2.pdf

Excellent.
I looked over their website but couldn't find that. 

[George Tsoukalas]

I have the Mini Ligno moisture meter. They have A and B woods. Osage was not on the list. I called them and they told me it was a B so the manufacturer will know most likely where yew is. Jawge

[sailordad]

i just tap one end of my staves on the concrete floor of my basement
when it makes "ringing" type sound,instead of a "thud".then i figure its dry enough and make a bow from it

[triton]

i just tap one end of my staves on the concrete floor of my basement
when it makes "ringing" type sound,instead of a "thud".then i figure its dry enough and make a bow from it

I've heard of that method before but it escaped me when I needed it.  Usually I just leave em for a year but was offered this witchcraft electronic device.  was close to pinning tongue of lizard or eye of frog to the staves.   

Jawge, thanks for your input.  from the PDF linked previously I should be reading the 'C' scale

[Badger]

  Use the setting for doug fir and it will put you very close. Steve