Anyone try there hand at building a small humidor?

GuitarCentaur

My boss and operations manager both got me into cigars about a year ago, and it has brought us closer together. We have been killing sales lately, and it has taken a lot of extra hours and effort to get to where we are. So here's my plan, but I'm in need of some advice.

I am going to build them each a custom humidor to show my thanks. Nothing crazy, maybe a 20-30 count small desktop. I have access to wood and tools, but I doubt it's as simple as making a box.

Has anyone built one before? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Brad from Indiana

Usaf06

welcome to the forum. The only thing I can tell you is use mohogany or Spanish cedar. 

GuitarCentaur

Usaf06 said:

welcome to the forum. The only thing I can tell you is use mohogany or Spanish cedar. 

Thanks man! I can get Spanish cedar from a guitar tech I work with.

Eulogy

I haven't built one myself bit maybe @First_Warrior might be able to give you some advice. 

GuitarCentaur

Eulogy said:

I haven't built one myself bit maybe @First_Warrior might be able to give you some advice. 

Thanks for the info! I'll let you know how it goes!

First_Warrior

I'm a sculptor not a joiner so i don't have the tools( jointer, shaper etc) to create the proper joints for a humidor. A few of the folks on this site have built their own cigar boxes. Maybe someone else?

Bob_Luken

I would like to build some humidors myself but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I have read that should use a respirator when working with spanish cedar. I've even read that family members can have severe respiratory reactions if you bring spanish cedar sawdust on your clothing into the home.   

ExpendableYouth

It also has to be kiln dried. 

onestrangeone

 It really is fairly simple, build a hardwood box, make your joints as tight as possible, dado in the bottom and use silicone or epoxy this is the biggest leak on most boxes. Finish the interior, lacquer, urethane, rubber membrane  etc. Then line the box with your Spanish cedar, I mill mine to 3/16 thick. the f.lange for the lid is key if you can go to a B&M and look at different Humidors to see some of the styles of the f.lange, I prefer one that lips up.    

onestrangeone

 I have no idea why the word f.lange would be censored?

GuitarCentaur

Get the f.lange outa hear! Thanks for the info guys, with all this in mind the only thing I'm missing is a way to kiln dry them. Will keep you posted on progress. If only it was as easy as building cigar box guitars.

peter4jc

I'm sure ExpendableYouth was saying the spanish cedar is what has to be kiln dried (not the finished humidor), and most of what's for sale already is.  There's lots of it on ebay, some already milled and some in rough stock, all kiln dried.  It's where I sourced the cedar for my trays.

ExpendableYouth

That's what I meant. The Spanish cedar you line the box with has to be kiln dried. Some of it is, some of it isn't, just make sure if it's going into a humidor yours is.

kuzi16

My dad builds some great boxes. I have one of his humidors. He tells me it is way harder than it seems. 

onestrangeone

kuzi16 said:

My dad builds some great boxes. I have one of his humidors. He tells me it is way harder than it seems. 

It is Very difficult to build a "Simple box", I know professional carpenters with 20+ years experience who still can't build a box that's worth a crap!

GuitarCentaur

Well guys, after gathering materials, getting tools, and cracking out on the web for info, I've hit my wall. Onestrangeone is correct, this project is over my head. Anyone out there have another idea for a good, personalized gift for stogie lovers?

Usaf06

Nice lighter engraved

Dark_Roast

XIKAR cutter. They are a little pricy but will last a lifetime. The lifetime guarantee is second to none.

GuitarCentaur

Dark_Roast said:

XIKAR cutter. They are a little pricy but will last a lifetime. The lifetime guarantee is second to none.

I thought about cutters, but both already have the nicest **** I've ever seen as far as that goes. While keeping the homemade gift idea in mind, I've come up with a new plan. Custom built and personally branded leather travel cases. This project seems a little more "friendly" towards do-it-yourselfers.