This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Well, I don't have a gauge nearly as cool as Ron's (and indeed, his is = totally cool), but I have a system that works very well. I simply = measure the soundboard width cross grain. Wood in my shop is at about 9% = MC. I find that a three-foot-wide panel will shrink about 1.5 to 2 = millimeters by the time it dries down to 6% MC. I put a small tack at = one side of the panel and mark the other edge. It's pretty easy to = measure to within 1/10 of a millimeter. It really only takes two or = three days to dry a panel down. You can test this pretty easy also by = simply drying the panel down to what should be 5.5% MC while monitoring = width. After it stabilizes after a couple days, let the hot box go up to = conditions that should produce 6% MC - and watch the panel width = increase a couple tenths of a millimeter. If the panel is already ribbed, I guess you could then measure changes = in crown. With a feeler gauge, you could measure changes in crown pretty = accurately also. And do the same thing to test it - target the box = environment for 5.5% MC, monitoring crown - after it stabilizes, let the = box come up to 6% MC conditions and watch the crown increase a little = bit. Terry Farrell ----- Original Message -----=20 From: David Love=20 To: 'Pianotech List'=20 Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 8:44 PM Subject: RE: Humidistat for Wood conditioning box How long do you usually give for a ribbed soundboard panel to equalize = (assuming you haven't built one of Ron N's cool gauges)? David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net=20 -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On = Behalf Of Farrell Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 4:50 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: Humidistat for Wood conditioning box Yes, I monitor temperature and RH and use a chart to determine EMC. I = use a good hygrometer that has an accuracy within 2% RH - mine actually = tested out within 1/2% RH. = http://www.pacer-ind.com/hygrometers/dh50.html Terry Farrell ----- Original Message -----=20 Not sure I understand how a thermostat would give you a sense of RH. = You can have 80 degrees with 90% humidity or 80 degrees with 15% = humidity. If you are talking about using a thermostat combined with a = hygrometer and checking a chart with the equivalent EMC, you are still = dependent on the accuracy of your hygrometer which are only accurate to = +/- 5% anyway, no? David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net=20 -----Original Message----- I find a thermostat to work just as well and easy as a fancy = humidistat. I use a thermostat designed for a reptile terrarium. Just = use a temp/RH chart along with it and it's a cinch. Cost is about $30. Terry Farrell ----- Original Message -----=20 I found this humidistat that I would use for a wood conditioning = box that seems to be fairly good but expensive ($290). Anyone have any = experience with it or can you suggest one that works as well for less = $$$. It's the RHC that I'm looking at-scroll down to the second unit. =20 http://www.greenair.com/humidistat.htm David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net=20 ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/b7/fb/52/9a/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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