Getting ready to build a Humidor and looking for some ideas

[TxGrizzly]

Does anyone have some photos or info that you would like to share about a humidor you might have built? I have collected a lot of info but was wondering if anyone had one that really turned out well for them. This is what I have collected so far for info:

1. Line the inside with unfinished cedar (it’s supposed to enhance the cigars)
2. Seal on the lid needs to be tight to help maintain the proper humidity in the box.
3. Going to purchase hidden corner hinges with the lid support built in. (wonder how tough the hinge mortise is going to be for those?)
4. Buying a good humidity gauge and humidifier

Here are some of the options I am thinking of to construct the actual box.
1. Using Walnut with Ash inlay highlights somehow. (Reason is I have those two types of wood at this time)
2. Toss up between doing a box joint or locked miter for the corners
3. Finishing the walnut and ash with some sort of light oil based stain (haven’t decided color yet, will test on some scraps)
4. Protect with renaissance wax.


So what do you think? any suggestions or thoughts are appreciated...

[JBark]

>Does anyone have some photos or info that you would like to
>share about a humidor you might have built? I have collected
>a lot of info but was wondering if anyone had one that
>really turned out well for them. This is what I have
>collected so far for info:
>
>1. Line the inside with unfinished cedar (it’s supposed to
>enhance the cigars)
>2. Seal on the lid needs to be tight to help maintain the
>proper humidity in the box.
>3. Going to purchase hidden corner hinges with the lid
>support built in. (wonder how tough the hinge mortise is
>going to be for those?)
>4. Buying a good humidity gauge and humidifier
>
>Here are some of the options I am thinking of to construct
>the actual box.
>1. Using Walnut with Ash inlay highlights somehow. (Reason
>is I have those two types of wood at this time)
>2. Toss up between doing a box joint or locked miter for the
>corners
>3. Finishing the walnut and ash with some sort of light oil
>based stain (haven’t decided color yet, will test on some
>scraps)
>4. Protect with renaissance wax.
>
>
>So what do you think? any suggestions or thoughts are
>appreciated...


Okay, you know that is SPANISH cedar, right? Not aromatic. I built one and taught a class my method so I pretend to know what I am talking about. I built it out of plywood, grooving to receive the bottom. I think I splined mine but taught lock mitre. Woodcraft (where I taught the class) sold quarter inch ply with burl veneer on it so we laminated that to the ply. I glued the box closed completely and then sawed it open. Check out those sold by companies making them, many are routed on the edges...all edges...and solid stock glued in place to hide the way everything comes together. We glued thin veneers over the edges that show when you open the box, hiding the ply.

To get a good seal cut matching bevels on the cedar lining (usually about a quarter to 5/16 thick.) The bevel for the box portion (not the lid) should be no higher than the side of the box...my class found that the bevel frayed to easily as ones hand hit it reaching in the box.

I never looked into quality hygrometers and humidifiers, just relied on what Woodcraft sold...I guess they are out there.

Ask around at a good cigar store, consult issues of Cigar Afficionado(web site?) and check past articles on the subject.

Good luck,

John

[Sonny Edmonds]

Alright Bill, this is gettin eerie.
I was commissioned by a Friend to make him up a Cee-gar box that wouldn't blow the corners.
John lives in the high desert of Southern California in a town called Palmdale. He collects fine cigars and shares them generously as well.
I'd smoke anything he was to recommend or offer, and I don't smoke cigars very often at all. But John's are really, REALLY good! (I mean smoke the whole thing good!)
Anyhow, John asked me if I could make him a humidor box that wouldn't come apart at the corners. I said I could try.
He gave me the mohogany he'd bought for his next try and said give it a go. All he wanted was an assymbled box, as big as I could make from the material, and as strong as I thought as I could make the corners.
He does the rest. Spanish cedar lining, carving and decorating of the outside, hardware, hinges, and humidor control.
Well, I guess I done OK, because the box has not failed since it was made. John took a few years to finish it.
70 degrees and 70% humidity on the inside, near zero on the outside (because of the high desert climate).
Get this.... John has a built in humidor "closet" in his home as well.
This guy is really into his cigars. (And they are a delight to smoke!)
[link:home.att.net/~paul.edmonds/Projects/johns.htm | John's Cigar Box]

:D

[link:home.att.net/~paul.edmonds/|Sonny Edmonds ]
Saugus, CA
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
God Bless America !
In God We Trust !
"Lurkimus turdius orifus"


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[TxGrizzly]

thanks Guys...good info...JBARK, yep knew about the Spanish Cedar

[maxwell_smart007]

Also - make sure you get some good spanish cedar...sometimes the cheaper stuff will tend to bleed sap - which is not good at all for cigars!

Bunch of tips for prepping your humidor to accept cigars, but let's wait until you build it eh?

Dang it, now I'm craving a cigar...time to pop open my humidor and pull out a Churchill, me thinks....or maybe this afternoon (WAY too early for cigars up here!)

[Sonny Edmonds]

Well, I must admit, all this Cee-gar talk got me into the local tobacconist and I picked up 4 for masef.
Cheap ones, since I don't know a good cigar from a dog turd. These were more like a dog turd than a good one. :P
I've only smoked one of the 4. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_3_13.gif
What this country needs is a good $2 ceegar.
Sigh... but I have then to satisfy the curiosity when it arises. ;)

:D

[link:home.att.net/~paul.edmonds/|Sonny Edmonds ]
Saugus, CA
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
God Bless America !
In God We Trust !
"Lurkimus turdius orifus"


Welcome to the Forum!
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_4_132.gif

http://home.att.net/~paul.edmonds/divers_flag.gif

[maxwell_smart007]

Let me know when you're next in the mood, Sonny, and I'll send you a good cigar...

Don't know if it'll make it through the mail though! Worth a try, anyway!