Topic: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats (Read 2630 times)

InternalTraining · « **on:** November 11, 2019, 03:31:45 PM »

It is possible that this has been discussed before but I will add a thread here...

I recently had access to a moisture meter that was used on a wall. I put it against my Keeley and I got a reading. This moisture meter was set to read moisture against wood (not dry wall).

Couple of observations:

- The moisture reading was not consistent. The pingiest area (which is also delaminted slightly) read lower than other areas. 8% in general blade area and 5% close to the bottom.
- The edge read 0 % moisture but the meter was wider than the edge so...

What are your experiences with moisture meters and bats? How do bat makers measure moisture in their bats?

KettonJake · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2019, 03:39:59 PM »

My general feeling on them is they are pointless for cricket bats, and fairly haphazard in general. We have one for measuring concrete floors before laying sports surfacing. I once tried to get a reading out of a puddle on the concrete, it came back as zero.

To get any kind of reliable moisture reading, the measuring implement (usually a metal prong connected to the digital readout) needs to be driven into the material being read. As I assume you didn't bury the prong into a cricket bat, the reading will be nonsense.
Just to note there are meters that give a reading without the requirement to drive a metal prong into the material being measured, but these meters can only give a relative reading compared to another material of a known density and moisture content.

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2019, 03:54:27 PM »

Moisture meters and bats always reminds me of the "test" cricketstoreonline did, where they got a reading of 0 from a GM by measuring the scuff sheet!

As far as measuring the moisture content of your own bats, it's a total waste of time! How would you look to "rectify" it if your bat had a reading that you felt was too high or too low?

InternalTraining · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2019, 04:10:14 PM »

Quote from: KettonJake on November 11, 2019, 03:39:59 PM

I once tried to get a reading out of a puddle on the concrete, it came back as zero.

That made me laugh!

The meter was initially used against wall stud to check for wetness/moisture after a prolonged drying operation. I'll see if I can get the name/brand of it.

InternalTraining · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2019, 04:14:28 PM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on November 11, 2019, 03:54:27 PM

Moisture meters and bats always reminds me of the "test" cricketstoreonline did,

Those "blunt instrument" videos were such a "joy" to watch - nothing was ever wrong with a bat or a brand unless "blunt instrument" really really hated them.

Quote

As far as measuring the moisture content of your own bats, it's a total waste of time! How would you look to "rectify" it if your bat had a reading that you felt was too high or too low?

That's a very interesting question. I don't know what I'd do. I suppose the utility of an accurate reading would assist with performance tracking of a bat over time (against, say, fluctuating or decreasing moisture levels).

SurreySam · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2019, 04:23:59 PM »

A wagner pinless instrument is what JS Wright & Sons use.

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2019, 04:28:26 PM »

Something else worth considering is the fact Willow is hygroscopic - meaning it will naturally takes on or gives off water to balance with it's environment.

On a very basic level, if you started off with two identical bats with the same moisture content, then left one in a dry house and another in a damp shed, if you checked again a week later their moisture content wouldn't be identical any more.

KettonJake · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2019, 06:51:19 PM »

Quote from: SurreySam on November 11, 2019, 04:23:59 PM

A wagner pinless instrument is what JS Wright & Sons use.

Many willow suppliers use moisture meters, but the difference is they are working with a cleft, not a finished bat.

SurreySam · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2019, 09:02:49 PM »

Quote from: KettonJake on November 11, 2019, 06:51:19 PM

Many willow suppliers use moisture meters, but the difference is they are working with a cleft, not a finished bat.

By finished, I assume you're suggesting scuffed, oiled or waxed? In which case yes, the meters could be skewed by varying amounts.

If the finished bat/area is naked then a good reading could be taken, as the Wagner meters can read down to 4%. How you then translate that data into relative performance, would be interesting.

KettonJake · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2019, 09:21:39 PM »

Quote from: SurreySam on November 11, 2019, 09:02:49 PM

By finished, I assume you're suggesting scuffed, oiled or waxed? In which case yes, the meters could be skewed by varying amounts.

If the finished bat/area is naked then a good reading could be taken, as the Wagner meters can read down to 4%. How you then translate that data into relative performance, would be interesting.

All bats have some degree of finishing on them. You could sand one back to white willow and then have a go. But like you said, I�m not sure what use the data would be

Jimmy Tiwana · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2019, 10:38:26 PM »

Quote from: InternalTraining on November 11, 2019, 03:31:45 PM

I recently had access to a moisture meter that was used on a wall. I put it against my Keeley and I got a reading. This moisture meter was set to read moisture against wood. The pingiest area (which is also delaminted slightly) read lower than other areas. 8% in general blade area and 5% close to the bottom.
- The edge read 0 % moisture but the meter was wider than the edge so...

Very interesting question and observation. Did you check the moisture content in any of your other bats?

InternalTraining · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:16:30 AM »

^ No, just one. I didn't want to disrupt a profressional's day by hogging his moisture meter.

Sitonit · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2019, 03:45:00 AM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on November 11, 2019, 03:54:27 PM

Moisture meters and bats always reminds me of the "test" cricketstoreonline did, where they got a reading of 0 from a GM by measuring the scuff sheet!

As far as measuring the moisture content of your own bats, it's a total waste of time! How would you look to "rectify" it if your bat had a reading that you felt was too high or too low?

Dip and soak it in the water or leave it in the car trunk. Easy!

Red Ink Cricket · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2019, 12:50:43 PM »

I have a moisture meter which has contact pads rather than prongs. I find it�s comes out with measurement in light with the normal cleft % willow suppliers aim for. Must admit, I�ve never tried it on a finished bat though, only ever at cleft stage

Author Topic: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats (Read 2630 times)

InternalTraining

Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

KettonJake

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

WalkingWicket37

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

InternalTraining

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

InternalTraining

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SurreySam

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WalkingWicket37

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KettonJake

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SurreySam

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KettonJake

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Jimmy Tiwana

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

InternalTraining

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

Sitonit

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats

Red Ink Cricket

Re: Moisture Meters & Keeley Bats