PT-83 Pin Wood Moisture Meter
$99.00
- Quick and accurate moisture readings for reliable results in seconds
- Ideal for thin stock and uneven wood surfaces—perfect for challenging applications
- Large LCD screen displays moisture content readings
- Moisture readings from 6.0% to 25.0%
- Durable 5/16″ pins
The Bessemeter PT-83 Pin Moisture Meter is a compact, professional-grade tool designed for fast, accurate moisture measurements in wood. Its short pins make it exceptionally easy to use—perfect for thin materials and irregular surfaces where other meters may struggle. Whether you're a furniture maker, flooring installer, or hobbyist, the PT-83 helps protect your projects from moisture-related failures like warping, cracking, or adhesive issues.
This meter features:
- A bright digital display with a hold function
- Auto shut-off and battery indicator for convenience
- Adjustable material group settings for various wood species
- Optional calibration references
Lightweight, durable, and intuitive, the PT-83 is a must-have for anyone who works with wood and demands precision.
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25 reviews for PT-83 Pin Wood Moisture Meter
How to Use the Bessemeter PT-83 Pin Wood Moisture Meter
A. Key –
Reliable Way to Check Firewood Moisture
I buy and burn a lot of firewood during the winter and usually try to stock up in the summer so it has time to season. Even then, I’ve learned that “seasoned” wood from sellers isn’t always as dry as they claim. This tool has given me a simple way to check the moisture content instead of guessing by weight. It’s been eye-opening to see the difference between loads of wood. Now I can be confident that what I’m burning is ready to use. The device feels well made, works as expected, and has already proven useful for me. Highly recommend.
Summer –
Accurate and easy to use
We have recently purchased a cabin in the woods, on the side of a mountain. It’s old (1920’s) and it needs a complete remodel. This project is going to be our baby. We want to do a lot of the work ourselves, so we can take pride in it. To be Firewise, we need to cut down a lot of the trees that are up against the buildings and cabin. We will use that wood to help with our remodel.
This moisture meter works great. It really helps us know what wood is ready to be used and what wood needs to dry out some more. The meter comes with a comprehensive instruction manual that tells you what settings to use for specific types of woods and how far to insert the pins for each type. One thing I didn’t realize when I ordered it is that if the pins ever get damaged, they can be replaced! It runs on batteries and has a battery meter, which is handy. The readout is easy to read since it’s large and it automatically shuts off after one minute to conserve battery life. It’s a great little tool and is well worth the price!
Jsmo –
Accurate, Easy-to-Use Moisture Meter
This meter is very straightforward to use. It reads up to 25% moisture in 0.1% increments, which is great for woodworking or inspections. Testing in the Arizona summer was tricky—everything outside was bone-dry, reading 0% on lumber and 25% on live wood. I confirmed it works by testing with a damp rag, which gave me a 12% reading.
I’m confident in the accuracy since the company also sells calibration blocks, and it seems unlikely they’d ship these untested. The display is large and easy to read, and the hold function is handy when testing in awkward spots. The 5/16″” pins are ideal for thin stock or irregular surfaces, but note that this isn’t meant for drywall—pinless meters are usually the right tool for that.
Beyond woodworking, this will be useful for me when checking crawlspace framing in rentals or during home inspections. Having been through the ordeal of owning a mold-damaged house, I like the peace of mind this tool provides.
My only gripe: the four wood modes, each covering 14+ species, are listed only in the manual. They really should put that information on a sticker on the back of the unit—storing the meter with a printed manual just to know what mode to use is a bit ridiculous.
The company is based in Portland, OR, and provides support via an 800 number, which adds confidence. Overall, a well-designed and reliable meter that I expect to use for years.
Liis –
Every time tables must be referred to in the instructions unless you have a photographic memory
The black plastic wood moisture meter weighs 5.6 ounces. It comes with a flat wrench and 4 extra spikes. It is 6.0625 inches x 2.25 inches x 1.125 inches. The display window is 1.375 inches x 1.0 inch. The one’s place number is 0.375 of an inch x 0.59375 of an inch. The tenth place number is 0.1875 x 0.28125 of an inch. There is an included 9 volt battery. It has a rubber push mode button and a power / hold button. The pins have a protective cover over them.
The mode has 4 cycles of 1, 2, 3, and 4 that represent the type of wood. A chart is given in the instructions for the wood type and correlating cycle. The unit does not come with a case to hold the wood chart or the extra pins and wrench.
To test the wood, the pins should be inserted as far into the wood as possible parallel to the grain. Push the pins into the wood using a moderate controlled force. Do not slam the meter into the wood. A side to side (longitudinal axis) motion of minor rocking can be used to insert and extract the pins. Excessive rocking and front to back (perpendicular axis) can result in pin breakage. The moisture percentage reading is between 6 and 25 to the nearest 10th of a percentage.
In the directions it states, Be sure to consult the wood temperature correction table on page 17 and make an adjustment (as needed) in the percent moisture content reading. There are no instructions on how to interpret, adjust , or use the chart, which is a disadvantage.
I tested some maple firewood and a pine stake. I used the side to side motion to get the pins to go in and pulled the unit to get it out. It was easy. It functioned well and the numbers are large and simple to read in the daylight. I can take the meter to the lumber yard to test wood before I purchase it, which is important to try and prevent mold growth when installing wood in a closed off low ventilated area.
Steve K. –
Nice accurate meter that comes complete with all you need to get started
I’m glad I got this for my home since I do a lot of work as a DIYer around the house with both treated and untreated wood. The meter is easy to use and runs with a 9V battery (included) plus it comes with extra pins and a small wrench to screw them into the meter. I tested several pieces of pine wood from inside and outside the house. The wood inside the house measured 6-7% which is typical and the wood outside my house measured 10-14%. I also took a piece of scrap pine and sprayed it with water and left it outside overnight and it measured 18-19%. Based on my tests, this meter appears accurate plus it is very easy to use. Compact enough to slip into your pocket if you are at the lumber yard picking out stock.
Gadget geek –
Good moisture pin style meter
I hadn’t come across this brand before but my cheap off brand meter wasn’t accurate and this looked to be much better quality. Upon opening it was much better quality. Weight of unit made it feel like it was made well and when pushing the unit into materials there was no creaking from the unit. The prongs are nice and sharp and there’s a few spares in the box too. First test was on some pine I’m waiting to dry out before I screw down the boards after cutting to length. Readings were consistent across the board and didn’t seem to vary too much in localized areas. More visually wet areas gave a higher reading that dryer area which it would obviously do but it was good to see these area were consistent in ready. The only thing I’m not 100% happy with is the screen is not readable in certain angles. Not a big deal but the screen having a wider field of view would have been nice but it don’t deserve a 4 star rating more like 4.5. Overall it seems and feels like it is a good quality unit should work well for my typical uses on the job site from flooring to doors. It might even be useful for leak detection too but not tested that yet.
Amazon Customer –
Nice woodworking moisture meter
I got this moisture meter for some basic woodworking projects because I wanted to make sure the wood I was using was properly dry before building. The meter works quickly and gives results right away, which is exactly what I was hoping for when checking boards before cutting or gluing. I like that it runs on a simple 9V battery and that it has a protective cover for the pins so I do not worry about bending them when I toss it back in the toolbox. An extra set of pins is also included, which is a nice touch since those can wear down over time. The overall build feels solid in hand and the screen is clear enough to read easily in the workshop lighting.
One downside I noticed is that the readings are grouped into four categories that require checking the manual to see which species of wood belongs in which group. It is not overly complicated but it does slow things down a little if I switch between different types of wood. Once I got used to it, the process was manageable, though I still wish the unit had a more direct way of selecting the wood species. I have already used it for a batch of boards I plan to turn into shelves and it gave me confidence that the moisture content was within range for stability. For my needs it has been a very useful and straightforward tool that combines convenience with enough accuracy to trust for everyday woodworking.
DJorRia –
Handy and Accurate Moisture Meter
This moisture meter is straightforward, accurate, and easy to use. The screen is nice and clear, and I like that it gives quick readings without a lot of fuss. The pins are sharp enough to get a solid read in wood, cardboard, or other materials, and the mode button makes it simple to switch settings. It feels lightweight but sturdy, and it’s small enough to keep in a toolbox or bag without taking up much space. Overall, it’s a reliable little gadget that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Ken Jones –
Not a toy
This is the real deal. Easy to use. It comes with spare pins for down the road. You can even get a calibration checker which tells me the company stands behind the readings for the units they send out.
The controls are simple. Turn it on, select the appropriate species from the manual and enter it, test. There is even a hold button if you can’t see the display while you’re testing.
A good addition for a woodworking shop for projects that are more than construction grade.
Brandon Hawaii –
Very accurate wood moisture level testing device. A+
This moisture meter is user-friendly and capable of measuring moisture levels up to 25% in increments of 0.1% and is suitable for woodworking and home inspections, among other applications. The meter ‘s readings appear to be quite accurate according to my testing on various types of wood.
The large and easy-to-read display is advantageous for testing in challenging locations, while the hold function enhances usability. The 5/16” pins are ideal for measuring thin stock or irregular surfaces, although it is important to note that this meter is not suitable for drywall, as pinless meters are typically more appropriate for such applications.
Tad Leso –
Great
This thing is great. I’m not a professional so I have no idea how accurate it is or how good it is, but for a person at their house trying to figure out if a wall is wet (because it seems wet but I have no idea) this works wonders. Apparently this is only for wood, but I stuck it in my drywall and it’s giving me readings. I had my suspicions that a wall near our bathroom was somehow getting wet, but I didn’t want to tear a hole in it to find out. This thing let me establish a baseline reading by testing other drywall throughout the house, then confirmed for me that the wall in question was wetter. Now if it could only tell me why. However, it did its job wonderfully. The pins are very sharp and fragile so read the instructions and be careful. They leave holes, but very small ones. The unit also came with extra pins and a tool you can use to replace them. It didn’t come with a carrying case or anything like that so if you need one of those, be aware you won’t get one with this listing. Otherwise, it worked great, and I’d definitely recommend it.
Amazon Customer –
Works as well as my $600 pin less wood moisture tester!
I own a tree service and have wood storing and drying at different stages, so it’s good to keep checking on their progress.
This moisture meter works well. It does leave small pinholes in the wood. It is accurate, and that’s what really matters. These are useful for uneven surfaces and for denser wood, the pins go in deeper and scan deeper than a pin less system. I would get this for sure, if you need an accurate reading of how wet your wood is or not.
Brian –
Easy to use, minimal marking.
I’m not much of a woodworker, but I’ve been learning and wanted a way to check the moisture content of wood before and after bringing it home. This meter is very simple to use, with clear instructions and four settings depending on the species of wood. Readings are nearly instantaneous, and the hold function makes it easy to view the measurement without contorting yourself to see the screen.
The kit includes spare tips and a small wrench for changing them. I tested it on some pressure-treated pine I’ve been drying before painting, and while it does leave small pinholes, they’re minor and likely won’t be noticeable under most finishes.
At $100, it feels expensive for DIY use. After researching, I found that Bessemeter is a reputable brand and these tools can cost quite a bit more. Realistically, with the cost of hardwoods, this could pay for itself on a single project if it saves buying a batch of wood with a high moisture content.
Sarah Wood –
Nicely made. Works well. Perfect size with a clear display.
Very happy with this item. Ready to use right out of the box, as it comes with batteries. Simple, intuitive function and clear display of readings. Feels plenty rugged and I like the size. Feels sturdy but not overbearing in the hand.
Will update with use but, I have every confidence this will be useful and serve its purpose very well.
Andrei Baklanov –
Accurate and easy-to-use wood moisture meter
The device is compact and very easy to use. The two pins insert smoothly into wood and give a reading within seconds. The display is large with clear numbers. It has modes for different materials that switch with one button. Tested on boards and plywood — readings were consistent and accurate. A very useful tool for woodworking, flooring, or construction projects.
Rescue9 –
Works great in the Kentucky humidity!
I’ve been drying my own raw lumber for a while now. I have an outside stack, a stack in my garage, and have even kept a few pieces in the house a time or two. Knowing the best time to take that lumber and turn it into something useful has always been somewhat problematic, especially in the area I live where the humidity varies drastically from day to day. The PT-83 gives me the information to make an informed decision much easier.
I could tell the quality as soon as I opened the package. It was well built and appeared to be very durable. The plastic was thick and sturdy with very little flex. There were some extra probes, and a battery was already installed. All instructions were well written and easy to understand. My only want would be a quick pocket card with the various tree species and their corresponding meter mode for reference.
I used the meter on both the outside and garage kept wood stash. Both showed well within the limits I calculated based upon the amount of drying time, location, and relative humidity that day. In addition….. I cheated a bit and compared the meter to a different meter I’ve been using to keep track of the moisture content. They were nearly identical.
In all, I think this meter is very well built, easy to use, and will make my life easier when it comes to knowing when to start a project or let the wood sit a while longer. I feel it is well worth the cost and would highly recommend to my woodworking friends.
Retiredcatmom –
The husband is thrilled.
“We store wood up in our barn until it’s needed for a project. The barn is not climate controlled. We live where humidity levels can be very high, and not using “wet” wood has always been hit or miss. Now we can know scientifically what we’re doing.
It’s easy to use and feels like it will outlive us. I’m grateful they included extra pins, or we never would have known that the pins are replaceable. (We’re wood-moisture-reading newbies.) It takes a 9v battery, which of course we always have on hand. My one gripe is that to set the type of wood, you have to consult a chart in the manual. I’ll be making a “cheat sheet” sticker for the back of this, but wish the manufacturer had created a professional one.”
Undaunted LLC –
Wood Moisture Meter Pretty Straight forward
This moisture meter works just as intended. Readings were quick and accurate, helping me easily check wood before use so I don’t run into problems like warping or splitting later on. The pins are the right size for testing without leaving noticeable marks, and the display is clear to read. It’s lightweight, portable, and the auto shut-off helps save battery life. Nothing overly fancy, but it gets the job done exactly as promised reliable tool for the shop or jobsite.
Kzzy S. –
Good, but not for me
“I bought this thinking I could use it on my walls to check for leaks and moisture. Turns out it’s mainly built for wood, so it gives weird readings on drywall/plaster (which I kind of expected after using it). That said, it does have some strong points:
I’ll start with what works — when used on wood, it’s pretty solid. The readings seem consistent compared to other wood meters I’ve used. The device feels sturdy enough, the pins are sharp, and the size is compact — easy to carry around. The display is clear, and switching between wood types (in its “wood mode”) is straightforward.
Now, the downside: on walls it’s not super reliable. I got readings that looked “wet” in places that felt dry to the touch. If you use it on drywall, use it more as a “jump test” (i.e. compare one area vs another) than a precise number. Also, there are no settings geared for building materials, so it’s limited in versatility.
If your main use is checking wood (floors, furniture, beams, etc.), this is a decent tool. If you expect it to work perfectly on walls, leaks, or masonry, you’ll probably be disappointed. Good for what it’s built for — just make sure you understand its limitations”
STXC –
Essential Meter for Woodturning and Green Wood Drying
“The PT-83 pin wood moisture meter is a great product for woodworkers, professionals, and DIYers. This meter was specifically purchased for my husband, who is a woodturner focused on creating bowls and other items on his lathe.
Since he uses green wood sourced directly from our property, he twice-turns his pieces. This prevents the finished product from cracking or dramatically deforming after all his effort.
The moisture meter makes the process much more reliable by allowing him to accurately assess the moisture content of the roughed-out bowl. This ensures he waits until the wood reaches its equilibrium moisture content before he completes the final turning.
Testing this meter across multiple pieces of wood, he has found the readings to be consistent and accurate. He especially appreciated that the product came with four extra pins and the necessary tool to easily replace them along with a thorough manual that explains how to use the different modes.
Overall, the PT-83 moisture meter is a reliable tool that has provided confidence and accuracy to his woodworking process, and he is very happy with the purchase.”
Smart Shopper –
Good quality, works reliably
I needed a simple way to check the moisture content of lumber before starting a woodworking project. This meter is easy to operate; you just push the pins into the wood, and the reading shows up on the screen almost instantly. I tested it on a few pieces of wood with a known moisture content, and the readings were consistent and accurate enough for my needs. The display is backlit, which makes it easy to see in my garage. It’s a simple, no-frills tool that does its job well.
C –
Great tool to have if you’re doing your own lumber milling
I purchased this for my husband, who recently got into making his own boards for wood working. He’s had a batch drying in the garage for over a year, and was very excited to use this to test the moisture to see if it was ‘ready’. This was a tool he had been wanting to add to his collection for a while but wasn’t willing to get for himself.
The little pegs are quite sharp, so they bite easily into the wood with very little effort and give a quick and easy to read result. I also like that it comes with replacement pins so if you damage them or they get worn down over time you can swap them out without needing a whole new tool.
It fits nicely in the hand and from our tests seems to give accurate and precise readings. We tested it on store bought wood, some fresh cut pieces from our wood pile and the pieces he had been drying and the numbers all lined up and made sense. A great way to see if wood is ready for working, or if it needs longer to avoid risks for warping and cracking.
Anonymous Reviewer –
Accurate and quality built
This wood moisture meter feels quality built and solid in-hand. Moisture meters are essential for numerous wood projects. I routinely use them before interior trim work like tongue and groove to prevent unnecessary shrinkage after installation. They are also handy for testing fire wood, if you burn for heat. If you are purchasing firewood and have been told it was “seasoned”, you will want to test it before you buy to prevent sizzle in your wood stove. I tested the meter on both wet wood and dry. It seemed accurate to the best of my knowledge. It also includes extra prongs and an easy to read instruction manual. The only reason for the one star deduction is the price. At close to $100, I feel it is on the high side.
TxBearCub –
Nice moisture meter with additional replacement probes
Good wood moisture meter that works well. Has settings for different wood species. Easy to control / change settings on the meter. Also comes with additional replacement probes for use. Probes are sharp and small tipped so no damage to wood with use.
Anonymous Reviewer –
Accurate and Handy Pin Wood Moisture Meter for Woodworking
The PT-83 Pin Wood Moisture Meter is a solid tool for woodworkers, DIYers, and furniture makers who need reliable moisture readings to prevent warping, cracking, or glue failure. The sharp 5/16″” pins penetrate wood easily without causing damage, making it ideal for both thin stock and irregular surfaces. It provides readings quickly on a large, clear LCD screen, and the hold function is great for recording measurements in hard-to-see spots.
Adjustable settings for different wood species ensure accuracy across hardwoods, softwoods, and specialty lumber. The unit feels durable and portable, with extra pins included for long-term use. Reviewers consistently praise its accuracy, ease of use, and build quality. Some note that checking the manual is necessary for the wood species settings, but once accustomed, it’s straightforward.
Overall, the PT-83 is a trustworthy, convenient, and precise moisture meter that’s highly recommended for anyone serious about woodworking, especially if you mill, turn, or dry your own wood.