Making a humidor

[Henrybowman47]

So I have this old cabinet I found years ago at the local flea market that looks like a jukebox. Originally used it for a liquor cabinet. Then junk storage and now after pricing large humidors I am going to turn it into a humidor. I have been trying to source a sheet of Spanish cedar locally with no success as of yet. Anyone on here know where to get a sheet of Spanish cedar? Or anyone els make their own humidor that wants to share pics/tips? Thanks

 

[Knucklehead]

Spanish Cedar veneer

Sauers - Spanish Cedar Wood Veneer - 4-1/2" to 6-1/2" Width - 12 Square Foot Pack

Our selection of sequence-matched veneer packs by Sauers and Company® allows you to create inspiring works of art with your woodworking project. Each 2/83" thick sheet measures 48" in length and 4-1/2" to 6-1/2" in width. The convenient 12 square foot packs are perfect for applications both...

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Search: 14 results found for "Spanish cedar"

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I've bought tools and wood from woodcraft.
I see spanish cedar plywood for sale online but I'm not familiar with any of the sellers and would hate to even guess what shipping a piece of plywood would cost now. Veneer applied to luan or cheap plywood would give you the look and smell. You only need the one side anyway. Save $$.

 

[deluxestogie]

That's a really wild looking humidor. When I constructed a humidor from an old, walnut wash stand, I initially lined the entire interior with plastic sheet (stapled in place), to prevent warping the furniture. Then I added a layer of bass wood, which has no aroma, and added a bass wood shelf. After a while, it just smells like whatever is in there (cigars, boxes of various woods, etc.)—just like a tobacconist's walk-in humidor, and maintains its humidity year-round by means of an open 1 pound bag of cheap, unflavored Cavendish pipe tobacco (which is truly vile, if smoked), together with all the unfinished wood. Nothing fancy. I did the conversion in 1972. It holds maybe a max of 6-800 cigars, though I've never come close.

I wish you the best of outcomes with your project, and look forward to seeing how you tackle the challenges.

Bob

 

[deluxestogie]

1/4" Spanish Cedar Pre-Cut Thin Boards, Humidor Lining (Choose Your Size)

Straight-grained, wavy, curly and mottled grain. Soft with a moderately coarse texture. Easy on tools and cutters, but the low density and softness make it prone to splintering. Resembles mahogany at first glance. Milled Spanish cedar also contains an uncontrollable resin that seeps onto the...

www.woodworkerssource.com

 

[Henrybowman47]

Spanish Cedar veneer

Sauers - Spanish Cedar Wood Veneer - 4-1/2" to 6-1/2" Width - 12 Square Foot Pack

Our selection of sequence-matched veneer packs by Sauers and Company® allows you to create inspiring works of art with your woodworking project. Each 2/83" thick sheet measures 48" in length and 4-1/2" to 6-1/2" in width. The convenient 12 square foot packs are perfect for applications both...

www.woodcraft.com

Boards

Search: 14 results found for "Spanish cedar"

Whether you're a seasoned artisan or a novice enthusiast, shop Woodcraft for expert advice, unbeatable prices, superior brands, and a woodworking experience like no other. Explore our vast selection of premium wood, tools, and accessories, meticulously curated to fuel your passion for creating...

www.woodcraft.com

I've bought tools and wood from woodcraft.
I see spanish cedar plywood for sale online but I'm not familiar with any of the sellers and would hate to even guess what shipping a piece of plywood would cost now. Veneer applied to luan or cheap plywood would give you the look and smell. You only need the one side anyway. Save $$.

Yeah the sheet itself is expensive so I’m sure it’s another 30-50 for shipping to a home address. Still trying to dig something up local. The veneer is on one side and it’s unfinished Spanish cedar on he other?

 

[Henrybowman47]

That's a really wild looking humidor. When I constructed a humidor from an old, walnut wash stand, I initially lined the entire interior with plastic sheet (stapled in place), to prevent warping the furniture. Then I added a layer of bass wood, which has no aroma, and added a bass wood shelf. After a while, it just smells like whatever is in there (cigars, boxes of various woods, etc.)—just like a tobacconist's walk-in humidor, and maintains its humidity year-round by means of an open 1 pound bag of cheap, unflavored Cavendish pipe tobacco (which is truly vile, if smoked), together with all the unfinished wood. Nothing fancy. I did the conversion in 1972. It holds maybe a max of 6-800 cigars, though I've never come close.

I wish you the best of outcomes with your project, and look forward to seeing how you tackle the challenges.

Bob

Thanks bob! I like yours too. Any reason you didn’t go with Spanish cedar? Didn’t know you could use a different wood. Although I will say I am concerned about tobacco bugs. I have some tobacco growing in my garden and it got infested with something so don’t want that moving into the house. Did you do anything to seal the doors?

 

[deluxestogie]

At the time I did the conversion, I was living in Columbia, Missouri. No fancy woods were available. The bass wood works well. The vertical closure of the doors has a thin strip of self-sticking cork on one of the two doors, just to minimize the gap. Kiln your tobacco, to kill any bugs. You can even throw a bag of tobacco in the freezer for a few days to kill any bugs.

Spanish cedar will impress friends and in-laws more than bass wood. But many tobacconist shop walk-in humidors are constructed with more common (unscented) wood. No pine.

Bob

EDIT: the doors close tightly with simple magnet latches often used for kitchen cabinets.

 

[Henrybowman47]

At the time I did the conversion, I was living in Columbia, Missouri. No fancy woods were available. The bass wood works well. The vertical closure of the doors has a thin strip of self-sticking cork on one of the two doors, just to minimize the gap. Kiln your tobacco, to kill any bugs. You can even throw a bag of tobacco in the freezer for a few days to kill any bugs.

Spanish cedar will impress friends and in-laws more than bass wood. But many tobacconist shop walk-in humidors are constructed with more common (unscented) wood. No pine.

Bob

EDIT: the doors close tightly with simple magnet latches often used for kitchen cabinets.

Other than bass wood what is another good humidor wood? Magnetic latches are a good idea. I have a pill bottle full of little rare earth magnets I was thinking of using for the door. Maybe recess them into the wood.

Isn’t impressing your friends and In-laws what cigar smoking is all about!?

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

I wonder if a walk in humidor would double up not only for cigars but also aging whole leaf?

 

[Henrybowman47]

I wonder if a walk in humidor would double up not only for cigars but also aging whole leaf?

I don’t see why not

 

[deluxestogie]

Other than bass wood what is another good humidor wood?

Most non-conifer wood that has a straight, tight grain should work. Poplar is widely available. If you don't have your own shop to do it, I would take the planks to a cabinet maker shop, and have them split them down to ¼ to 3/8" thick. But do back them with a plastic sheet liner prior to installing. You can then install the thin planks by screwing them into the outer boards of the cabinet.

I wonder if a walk in humidor would double up not only for cigars but also aging whole leaf?

If you look at my photo, above, it was mostly filled at that moment (in 2013) with bags of leaf.

Bob

EDIT: use non-rusting screws, like brass screws.

 

[JOE1977]

This is mine. Made out of 3/4" mahogany. Spanish cedar is nice, however, it is quite expensive. Mahogany is a close cousin if it. I made this over 10 yrs ago and it works very well.

If you want to use the jukebox, I would google spanish cedar veneer. Maybe use 1/4" mahogany plywood with a sc veneer glued to it. That's what I would do.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

Fair enough! Thanks Bob.

 

[Henrybowman47]

PROJECT UPDATE
I found some board of Spanish cedar at a woodworking store in jacksonville. About 3/4” thick. Then I got my neighbor with a table saw to help me out. Cut them in half and cleaned up the edges. Lined the cabinet first with some cut up 55gallon contractor trash bags then lined both with the Spanish cedar that I Brad nailed in. Lined the door too with scrap pieces I had leftover which I wasn’t crazy about at first but now that I’ve looked at it for a little while I think it gives it character. (And I didn’t want to drive back to Jacksonville and spend more money). Sealed the door with a rubber marine seal from Home Depot and got a couple locks for it to seal the door tightly. Right now I’m trying to season it got 2 joe cool cigar bead humidifiers in each cavity along with some boveda backs. All I have left is to make a few trays out of my leftover scrap. Anyone have any experience with a humidor fan? Not sure if I “need” them but if I get them I want to make sure I get good ones. Has been a fun project. Even found a stand at a local thrift store to set it on so I don’t have to bend over to get into it.

 

[deluxestogie]

Excellent. When I added an always-open bag of cheapo, natural Cavendish tobacco, it eliminated any humidity fluctuations in my chest humidor. (It's really crappy stuff to smoke in a pipe. It just sits there, bag open, buffering the humidity.)

Super Value Natural Cavendish - PIPES and CIGARS

Find Super Value Natural Cavendish Packaged Pipe Tobaccos at the lowest prices here at PIPES and CIGARS!

www.pipesandcigars.com

Bob

 

[Alpine]

And it’s sold as “natural” cavendish…

pier

 

[deluxestogie]

The reason the bag of cheap Cavendish works as a humidity buffer is because the tobacco has been dunked in propylene glycol. It's a large humidifier. The "natural" label means that it doesn't reek of vanilla or chocolate or hazelnuts, etc.

Bob

 

[Henrybowman47]

Excellent. When I added an always-open bag of cheapo, natural Cavendish tobacco, it eliminated any humidity fluctuations in my chest humidor. (It's really crappy stuff to smoke in a pipe. It just sits there, bag open, buffering the humidity.)

Super Value Natural Cavendish - PIPES and CIGARS

Find Super Value Natural Cavendish Packaged Pipe Tobaccos at the lowest prices here at PIPES and CIGARS!

www.pipesandcigars.com

Bob

You use the 12oz bag? And what is your RH typically at?

 

[deluxestogie]

It's a 12 ounce bag. The RH floats in the low 60s both summer (no AC) and winter (heated house).

Bob

EDIT: An empty humidor fluctuates more than a full humidor. I believe it's been well over a year (maybe two or three) since I last added water to the small, bead humidifier cassette.