Cigar humidor ?

[HR masters]

Yesterday, fathers day at my son's home for dinner, he mentioned he would like a cigar humidor if I get time to make one. I am agreeable to making one for him but a googling trip around the net and I still don't have the foggiest idea how to make one. If you have made one, own one or know how to make one to hold about 50-100 cigars, I would appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks HR

[harry strasil]

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=29249&highlight=cigar+humidor

[Paul Canaris]

Harry, that is a piece of art!

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Yep, that is no run of the mill humidor! :eek:

If you are making a humidor, there are lots of plans on the net, you basically make a box, and then you line the box with Spanish Cedar, has to be this kind, as it has unique properties the keep the cigars in good condition.

Good luck, take pictures! :D

[harry strasil]

HR masters, just use the search option at the top of the page, type in "cigar humidor" or anything else and it will bring up all posts relating to the subject.

[Mike Wilkins]

There was a past article in Fine Woodworking with a cover story on making humidors. Lots of tips and info. Go to the Taunton website and do a search.
Like the other poster stated, a humidor is just a box lined with Spanish cedar (unfinished) with an air-tight lid. The rest is up to your imagination.
Good luck.

[HR masters]

Harry that is a beautiful piece, if there is negative response to that work it will probably be spawned by jealousy. I went on the net and learned as you said the humidor is a box lined with spanish cedar, what about hydrometers or whatever they are called to measure the humidity and what about water trays etc. I will retrace my net steps and see if I can find some more info. I always surf the net before I post on any forum but when I feel that I need more info I know if I post on a forum like SMC chances are I will get a lot more information. Thanks HR

[Corvin Alstot]

Fine Woodworking #127 has an article on the subject. Use it as a starting
point and develop your own ideas. There is nothing very complicated
about the design. Attached is a box that is based on the article (I made
changes as I do not smoke cigars).

[Keith Christopher]

The bottom line is these (unless you go to VERY fancy) are only boxes typically lined with spanish cedar. Spanish cedar (part of the mahogany family) is prized for it's ability to maintain constant humidity around 68 to 70%. It also absorbs excess moistue to help prevent mold and mildew. With the right humistat this can be maintained in most woods. Spanish cedar also offers an aging armoa to cigars. and it's inexpensive too boot ! Some humidors are made from veneered spanish cedar. In the end having a sealed (notice I didn't say air tight box- don't want mold to form) is all you need. The rest is desigh. Think about a Krenov style cabinet that is actually a humidor. That would be a nice thing to own.



Keith

[Charlie Plesums]

I don't care for the design that is in the Fine Woodworking article that I saw... it is a solid spanish cedar box with some veneer on the outside and some reinforced corners. The better humidors are fine hardwood boxes with the spanish cedar lining (1/4-1/2 inch thick) friction fit inside.

I used rare earth magnets inside the lid (in a hollow behind the spanish cedar) to hold the hygrometer (measures humidity) and humidifier (a block of something inside the overpriced gizmo holds the distilled water). Humidors are often sold separately from the hygrometer and humidifier - those tend to be very personal choices.

The test of the best humidors is the "whoosh." The lid should close itself on a cushion of air that makes a whoosh sound as it settles down, and makes a hsoohw (however you say whoosh backwards) when it is opened. Be sure the lid is heavy enough - the FWW article suggested using MDF for weight (ugh). It seemed important that the spanish cedar provide the seal... just have the lower lining extend above the opening.

If you have a tray for "upper layer" storage, be sure to have LOTS of ventilation between the layers. If you look closely at the third picture at www.plesums.com/wood/other/humidor.html (http://www.plesums.com/wood/other/humidor.html) you will see the slots... I have promised to enlarge them, and would make the tray smaller in the future for more air movement at the ends.

I set a price of $900 to reproduce the one on my web site, but my son recently saw a similar unit in a cigar store, also in Bubinga, for $1,850.

[Ted Jay]

Harry that is a beautiful piece, if there is negative response to that work it will probably be spawned by jealousy. I went on the net and learned as you said the humidor is a box lined with spanish cedar, what about hydrometers or whatever they are called to measure the humidity and what about water trays etc. I will retrace my net steps and see if I can find some more info. I always surf the net before I post on any forum but when I feel that I need more info I know if I post on a forum like SMC chances are I will get a lot more information. Thanks HR
HR try this link I found to give you some ideas...
http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_code=ch&Category_code=MDHUMIDORS
Lots of pictures, sizes and descriptions, and supplies too.
Ted

[Ted Jay]

ooh double post... well while i'm here..

Go to google and type in: "cigar humidor parts" and you'll find more
Ted

[Ken Salisbury]

I have made three, all identical for my 2 Sons and one for a local judge. Picture on right was taken before lid (hinges) were attached. I purchased the plans off the internet somewhere but do not remember where.

[Ken Salisbury]

I did an google search to try to find where I got my plans - no luck. But I did find some others for ya:

http://www.freeww.com/smallprojects2.html (http://www.freeww.com/smallprojects2.html)
http://www1.minn.net/~khortsch/cplans.htm (http://www1.minn.net/~khortsch/cplans.htm)
http://www.woodcraftplans.com/u871.htm (http://www.woodcraftplans.com/u871.htm)
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/plans/index.cfm/show_plan/5/40 (http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/plans/index.cfm/show_plan/5/40)


For hardware:</O:p>
http://www.bcspecialties.com/cigarasp/hng.asp (http://www.bcspecialties.com/cigarasp/hng.asp)

[HR masters]

I sure am indebted to a lot of you for some great info. I was inspired to go thru the wood rack and picked out a slab of tiger wood, and some wenge for accent but I am not sure I am happy with the look so I took out some ebony I have been saving, for what I don't know, maybe a humidor, I may go to my favorite combination of purpleheart and ebony. I am drawing up some rough plans and will go to my nearest hardwood supplier, there are several I get wood from, and buy some spanish cedar. I found the two thingamajigs for it, so I'll probably start next week and hope I finnish it in 06. Thanks again, this forum above all others never ceases to amaze me. some of the most knowlageable & decent people anywhere. HR