### Wood Moisture Content
Wood moisture content (MC) measures the amount of water present within the wood’s fibers and cell walls. It significantly impacts the wood’s properties and behavior during processing, such as turning. Moisture content is typically expressed as a percentage of the wood’s oven-dry weight.
### Ideal Dryness for Turning
The optimal dryness for wood before turning depends on the specific species and intended use. However, generally, a moisture content of 5-10% is recommended for most turning applications. This level of dryness ensures that the wood is stable and will not shrink or warp excessively during or after turning.
### Moisture Mapping
Moisture mapping is a technique used to determine the moisture content distribution within a piece of wood. By strategically inserting prongs into the wood and measuring the electrical resistance, it is possible to create a moisture map that visualizes the variation in moisture content throughout the wood.
### Benefits of Moisture Mapping
* **Identify areas with high moisture content:** Moisture mapping can help identify areas that may be more susceptible to rot or decay.
* **Help assess the drying process:** By tracking changes in moisture content over time, it is possible to monitor the drying process and determine when the wood has reached the desired dryness.
* **Determine optimum cutting locations:** Moisture mapping can help determine the best locations to cut wood for turning, ensuring that the pieces are stable and less likely to crack or warp.