10%Moisture loss 1 1/4 board in 2 days???

[lupus71]

Hey guys maybe I'm doing something wrong but I cut about 10 planks of sweetgum each 6' x 10"X 1.25". They read 23% when cut 2 days later their at 13% they are air drying under a shed with ends painted I'm sticking meter right in the center But I didn't shave off any wood. Also should I have my meter set on the lumber setting or firewood?I would think lumber

 

[BobL]

Hey guys maybe I'm doing something wrong but I cut about 10 planks of sweetgum each 6' x 10"X 1.25". They read 23% when cut 2 days later their at 13% they are air drying under a shed with ends painted I'm sticking meter right in the center But I didn't shave off any wood. Also should I have my meter set on the lumber setting or firewood?I would think lumber

That's not unusual in dry weather - to get a true reading you have to drive nails into, or cut at least about an inch into the board.

 

[qbilder]

Yeah the surface can dry pretty quick. If you aren't getting the meter prongs deep into the board then you are only getting surface reading, not a true moisture reading. The nails idea is a good one. Doesn't need to be big nails, just something metal that can reach the core of the board, then take a reading off the nails.