My finest humidor yet.

[Bill Wyko]

This year has been a tough one. Last year I was able to build a few humidors but this year I think I only built 2. This being one of them. It's Honduras Rosewood, What I call flame burl Maple, hard maple, Spanish Cedar and walnut. Should hold about 200 cigars. Sorry for the lousy photography, I'll try again before it ships. Your comments and critques are welcome.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/399421438.jpg

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400163043.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400163050.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400163054.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400163056.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400163039.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400163034.jpg

[Pat Barry]

Fantastic work. I would not have a clue of how even to begin on something like that. Mind if I ask how many hours of time you have invested in it?

[George Gyulatyan]

That looks superb!

[Bill Wyko]

I started this one in April 2010. Worked on it off and on since. If I had to guess I'd say 250 to 300 hours. Definitely a non profit humidor.

[Brett Robson]

That humidor is stunning! How did you do the inlay on the rounded corners?

[gary Zimmel]

The posts of your humidors never cease to amaze me Bill.
This is another fine example of your craftsmanship....
Thanks for the look see.

[Jacob Muldowney]

As a cigar smoker, you sir are an artist. Amazing work! I would like to her about the inlay as well.

[Mark Valsi]

Holy moley !! Another great job !!!

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks very much everyone but I can't take credit for the inlay technique. I got it from a post here a while back by Jameel Abraham, one of the most talented wood workers I've ever seen and met. Here's a link.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?51629-The-great-grandaddy-of-the-guitar-Oud-making

[Bill Wyko]

I really need to learn to take better pictures. The finish on this thing is like glass. In these pictures it looks like krylon. It ships tomorrow so I'll try to get some pics that actually look like it has finish on it. any sugestions camera guys? I have a Cannon EOS 20. What should I set the setting on? I'm desparate. I'll probable never see it again.

[Bill Wyko]

As we all know, I'm not much of a photographer but here are some different pics that give you an idea of what the finish looks like. It ook longer to do the finish than the build itself. What a PITA

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400196915.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/23938376/400196916.jpg

[richard poitras]

Looking good :cool: ....Bill

[Don Bullock]

WOW!!!!! Bill your work, as always, is amazing!

[Seamus Day]

Simply sublime!

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks so much everyone. The friend I built this for was a student of James Krenov years ago. That in itself was a little intimidating for sure. Last night though, I got a call from him in Reno. He was extremely happy with my effort. So much so, that he said it was the finest piece of woodwork he had ever seen. Needless to say I had to do a little touch down dance to celibrate such a wonderful compliment. It took me over a year to do it but it was all worth it. Now I have to build another one in Koa.

Here we go again.:D:D:D

[richard poitras]

Now I have to build another one in Koa.

Here we go again.:D:D:D


How about a blow by blow pictorial for the next master piece? :cool: And try to okay a sticky from the Sawmill Creek Gods? :)

[Marshall Border]

Amazing job ..........MB

[John Olson]

The whole state of Hawaii will be waiting to see what you do with their wood.

[Rick Moyer]

I think just about all the one's I've seen you make had a shot at "finest yet". Excuisite!

btw, Santa brought me a set of Scotch glasses and 35 Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real's!!

[Andrew W. Thomas]

I'd love to see the process you follow to create these awesome boxes. I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm more on the macro states of my woodworking progress.

[Bill Wyko]

Now you're talkin!!! Nice job |Santa. My client that I made this for sent me a box of cigars as a tip from the ISOM (Island South Of Miami) Not sure what they are yet, the bands are on their way from Santa. ;) To guess I'd say Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva but I'll know later when the mail gets here.

I'm really going totry to take pictures along the way on the next one. Maybe write a book some day.





I think just about all the one's I've seen you make had a shot at "finest yet". Excuisite!

btw, Santa brought me a set of Scotch glasses and 35 Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real's!!

[Rob Lindquist]

I'm bummed, I can't see the pictures for some reason? Anyone have an idea, I see every other threads pictures? I'm gettitng the box with red X in it.

[Bill Wyko]

My pictures are added by using picture trail. I can't figure out the new photo system here. Not sure if there's anything necessary to to see photos from there. Try going to www.picturetrail.com (http://www.picturetrail.com) you can down load it for free.

[Randy Walton]

Absolutely beautiful Bill. If you only had time to building two last year, this one was certainly worthy of being one of them. Great job on the book matching of the veneer on the lid. Like the banding around the lid and side panels. The detailed corner work is excellent as well and with noted credits. What did you use for a finish?
The photography looks fine to me. You tend to get a little better lighting if you bounce you flash off the ceiling or use a diffuser of some sort.
Randy

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks Randy, I gave up on wood finishes to get a high gloss finish. I use advantage 545 high solids catalyzed automotive clear coat. It's about 5 times more expensive but it's 10 times faster. It also builds in 3 or 4 coats as opposed to 10 coats of lacquer. It sands and polishes out so much easier too.

[Stew Hagerty]

Absolutely Gorgeous!!! I'm sorry, I don't even know where to begin to say anything else. Wow!

[Colin Giersberg]

Beautiful work, Bill.

Regards, Colin

[Brian Effinger]

Phenominal Bill! :) Your work always amazes me.

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks again my friends. I'll be working on another one starting next weekend. This time in some beautiful Koa. It's for one of my veneer suppliers.

[John Keeton]

Bill, I don't get over in the Project's Forum often, but stopped by and noticed this thread!! This is an unbelievable piece! Just some fantastic work - you are a Master Craftsman, without doubt!

[Fred Belknap]

Bill, I don't get over in the Project's Forum often, but stopped by and noticed this thread!! This is an unbelievable piece! Just some fantastic work - you are a Master Craftsman, without doubt!


What John K said.

[Ken Mosley]

WOW! Surely you don't expect to have a "critique" on such work. AH, WOOD, GOD"S second most beautiful creation...And YOU made it BETTER!

[Brian Palmer]

WOW .... that is all. Do you sell you're humidors?

[Jim Becker]

Bill, that's some really wonderful craftsmanship, that even a non-smoker can appreciate!! bravo!

[Bill Wyko]

You guys are too kind, thanks so very much. Many of my ideas and methods used, are adaptations of work posted here. So thank you all too.

[Bill Wyko]

I do sell them but in the end, I put way more time into them than I charge. Thank goodness my clients are patient.


WOW .... that is all. Do you sell you're humidors?

[John Olson]

Yes Bill that would have to be true. In one of the books on making money doing wood work your skill would start at about $50 an hour. Probably a lot more. 500 hours times 5o comes out to be about $ 25000 a box. I hope you are getting that.

[Bill Wyko]

I've been meaning to, just can't find a customer willing to pay that much. Maybe if I offer to fill it with cuban cigars.:D
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22008772/363847897.jpghttp://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22008772/363847885.jpg

[Van Huskey]

I thought the title might be stretching it coming from you Bill. Although all your work is stunning I must say based on the ones you have posted the title is absolutely correct. You craftsmanship is truely amazing.

[Bill Wyko]

Everything I build is practice for the next one. In this case, using automotive clear coat really upped the finish. I was able to get it very flat w/o sanding through (Too much) Lets see if the Koa one I have to do next will top this one.:eek:

[John Olson]

I don't know your source of wood, but when I bought Kao it was like gold. So my point is that the wood alone will up your value of the box. Have you looked at some of the boxes by the Lydgates, native son's of Hawaii? There Kao and other wood combinations might give you some different ideas you might not have thought of.

[John Spitters]

Beautiful work Bill.

Just got back from Cuba ( Christmas and Newyears there) with a good assortment of cigars that we'll be giving as gifts, and I'll be building a few humidors to put them in.
I have some heavily quilted Maple that I will be using but so far I am at a loss as to where to get the Spanish Cedar for the interior other than woodworkers supply.
Was wondering if you could list some of your sources for the Cedar as well as the Humidifier etc.
John

[Bill Wyko]

I'll check out the Lydgates right away. As far as spanish cedar goes, I just get it from Woodworkers Source here in Tucson. I buy so much stuff there that I get 100bd ft pricing on everything. The Koa is from an e-bay seller, Sherean Satram. The humidor is actually for him. I did some horse trading for more veneer and a little money for the humidor. The Maple burl on this humidor came from him too. A while back I also did some trading with a friend here in Tucson that had bought up all the veneer that was left from Leer Jet when they closed up. I must have over 2000sq ft of veneer. I'm always up for some trading 8-)

[Bill Wyko]

Is the person you speak of Tony Lydgate? Did he author the book "The art of making small wood boxes" I'm going to have to order that book, looks interesting.

[John Olson]

Yes that is who I am talking about. But there is a web site with about 2 dozen of his boxes on it. If you want I will send you the site.

[John Olson]

Your message box is full so I will post it this way. This vidio has most of the boxes I wanted you to see. I hope this link works for you.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVSOSNqdNNw

[Bill Wyko]

Sorry about that. I cleared out some room there. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out right away.

[Floyd Cox]

This is craftsmanship at its best

[Eric Bong]

Bill, your finish is absolutely amazing! That is a great piece.:)

[Craig Matheny]

I am new to this area of the forum. I am so far out of my league seeing this work is amazing I am a Contractor by trade rough work so unless I have patch it does not look real good.

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks guys. Craig, I started as a Framer for 8 years so don't underestimate yourself. It's all about removing just the right amount of saw dust in the end.

[Michelle Rich]

wow Bill..I rarely come over to this section of SMC..glad I did today..this is totally awesome!

[Bill Wyko]

Coming from you, that means a lot. (as does it from everyone else as well.)Thanks Michelle, glad you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy yours.


BTW I'm working on another one as we speak.

[John Olson]

Please keep track of your time,if it dosen't distract from the pleasure. I want to see the first $100,000 humidor.

[Bill Wyko]

I've got one I had to stop working on due to the economy that is pretty cool. When I look back on the time I have into it so far, I could see asking 30k for it if I can ever make the time to finish it. It kills me to look at it everyday and not be able to just put a few more weeks into it and put a fork in it.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22329587/377782037.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22329587/388404012.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22329587/388404011.jpg
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2109/11908737/22329587/384727238.jpg

[John Olson]

You are truly inspirational Bill.

[Adam Cormier]

Incredible detail! Looks amazing.

[John Olson]

I could see that in a shop in Harrods in London or one of the smoke shops in Atlantic city.

[Brett Baldwin]

I wondered what had happened to your bubinga humidor. It's a shame it doesn't make sense to finish it out. Your work is fantastic.

[Bill Wyko]

Same goes for you guys John, I've learned so much from the members here over te last 6 years or so. Sorry I'm inspiring you guys to go cookoo in the cranium. It is fun here though.:eek::D

[Mike Mandio]

Bill, do you have a link to your koa supplier. I did a search on his name but came up empty.

Thanks

[Gordon Eyre]

So impressive.

[Bill Wyko]

PM me for more info o the Koa if you like.

[Tom Winship]

Bill, I think I have to rate you tops on this forum when you combine your flatwork talents and you turning talents. I do not see how you have time to do both to the degree you are accomplished. And don't tell me "wood is wood".
You are truly blessed.

[G Douglas Fowler]

Someone else already said it but it bears repeating: simply stunning.

[Terry Haslett]

Gorgeous work. What did you use for the finish and how did you get the smoothness etc.?

[Bill Wyko]

You guys are too kind, thanks very much. The finish is an automotive finish. I can tell you, the finish is far more difficult to do than the build of the humidor itself. I sand it through all the necessary grits and go through sandpaper like I stole a semi truck of it. The finish took me about a month to get it to this stage. I actually just sprayed the last coat on another one about an hour ago. Here's a little teaser. still needs to be cut & buffed. The line next to the inlay is actually invisible and will be gone once buffed.

They say the sign of a good woodworker is how well he hides his mistakes, that means I've had a lot of "learning" to get here. In the end, there's no such thing as a mistake, just different degrees of firewood. LMAO

[Bill Wyko]

Well, I finally finished the one pictured above. Got pretty quick this time, only about 5 months LMAO. I'll post pics tomorrow. Now I can get then new PM4224 moved into my shop at home and get to some turning. I've had the lathe for several weeks and haven't turned anything to completion yet. Time to change that.:)