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Humidor build in progress - Page 2

post #16 of 39
2/5/12 at 1:16am
Spending way too much on humidification, Elie Bleu isn't the best per se, just the most expensive. I'd get Heartfelt of Shalia beads if I were you, even a Xikar puck would probably be a better option. Also, anolog hydgrometers aren't really very good, digital are much more precise and reliable.

The humidor and workmanship look great though!
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post #17 of 39
2/5/12 at 2:46am
Looks great, do you have some sort of background in woodworking? This looks like it needs some skill.
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post #18 of 39
2/5/12 at 6:43am
ama has a point on both counts. Each time I have bought a humidor that comes with analog hygrometer, it goes straight in the trash.
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post #19 of 39
2/5/12 at 6:55am
Whether it's constructing a humidor or cutting, forming, and stitching leather for shoes I love craftsman posts like this.

Looking forward to see how this progresses.
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post #20 of 39
2/5/12 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 
My hesitation with the heartfelt beads is that thy are not adjustable and none of the top end boxes featured them, such as Davidoff, Dunhill, ect. Even makers such as Christofle were using traditional humidifiers.

The gauge is a German made hair gauge, Most humidor gauges are metal spring and are considered pretty terrible.

Thanks guys, I'll definetly keep this thread up to date.

Sander I'm self taught, but I ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research. I'm lucky enough to live in an area with tons of resources on this. I take feedback from my finisher and wood mill and implement it if it makes sense.
Edited by SkinnyGoomba - 2/5/12 at 9:33am
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post #21 of 39
2/5/12 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba View Post

My hesitation with the heartfelt beads is that thy are not adjustable and none of the top end boxes featured them, such as Davidoff, Dunhill, ect. Even makers such as Christofle were using traditional humidifiers.

They aren't using them because the people buying them are buying them to look pretty first and foremost, and secondarily store their cigars. I would seriously consider looking at beads, a Xikar puck or Boveda packs and a digital hygrometer if these humidors are intended to seriously store cigars.
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post #22 of 39
2/5/12 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
I plan to build it for those that want to use it for display and for long term aging. When it comes to my cigars long term aging is sometimes the only option because I smoke probably 1-2/month.

What are the faults that you have found in the Elie Bleu humidifier that has you give the nod to beads? I haven't ruled out beads, but I haven't been bowled over by them either.

I did quite a bit of research on the gauges as well and the general consensus among the industry professionals that I spoke to were that the synthetic hair gauges were accurate. I plan to compare the Elie Bleu with an Adorini and the digital gauge that you recommend. What are you thoughts on the xikar.

None of the decisions hinge on price, they all hinge on quality/accuracy and visual appearance.
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post #23 of 39
2/6/12 at 5:24am
SG that looks really sweet. Let me know if you ever end up making more.

What I hate about humidors that I see are that they are rarely have a modern design, always some classical shit that ends up looking tacky IMO. Yours is sweet.

Oh, and you wouldn't have to worry about the hygrometer or humidification system, I'll take care of that smile.gif
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post #24 of 39
2/6/12 at 5:34am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Ed, I'll keep you in mind for the next batch.
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post #25 of 39
2/7/12 at 9:27am
Pretty cool work. Are you finishing the interior?

Wooden humidors are very appealing but the best ones I've found are lined with milk glass and have cedar trays. I've found that the all-wood varieties loose humidification too quickly in modern, centrally heated homes. The construction is not about making it totally sealed, its about holding the moisture in. A problem if you finish and seal the outside but not the inside is that the interior will suck up the humidification with the resulting swelling usually buckling the joints and upsetting all the nice work.

I'd also forget the digital hygrometers, they are great only so far as the batteries last. Take a look at the Arten mechanical ones, they are used worldwide by museums and have a pleasing techical look. They are also small enough to mount in top. (http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/arten-mechanical-thermo-hygrometer/studio-environment-control/).

I haven't looked at hydration in a while, but again, the simpler the better. Just use distilled or bottled water. You want something that lasts and doesn't require buying replacement anythings.

B
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post #26 of 39
2/9/12 at 6:01am
Thread Starter 
The interior will be sealed. Ideally I want the cedar to hold the humidity, not the walls or top of the humidor, which would then buckle as you mentioned.

I'm always surprised to see humidors that are made with solid wood tops or with cedar outside walls. One would think it would move so much it would separate the joints. I do what I can to minimize movement such as using waterproof glues and sealing.

I'm putting a solid cedar bottom/top into this as well above the plywood substrate, I saw many use cedar plywood and skip this, but it did not make sense to me to have one side of the materal moving constantly and one side fixed, I would think it would create a lot of internal stresses. It will be affixed in a way that allows it to move without warping.

I have the hygro and humi, so after it's assembled and put to the test I will debate the merits of the available options. I agree with you that offering a product which requires buying additional products is not what I am aiming for.
Edited by SkinnyGoomba - 2/9/12 at 6:24am
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post #27 of 39
6/8/12 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 
Sorry for the lack of updates, building 7 of these and they are all progressing at the same speed.

IMAGE_368.jpg

All of the tops have been cut off at this point and I am routing the groove for quadrant style hinges by Brusso in solid brass. That is some router pron for those who are into tools.

This particular box is veneered in East Indian rosewood and will actually be a jewelry box for my finance' but it's the same size at the Humidors.
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post #28 of 39
6/8/12 at 11:22am
Are you routing those freehand?

The joinery looks quite good. Very much like the corner treatment and veneering.
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post #29 of 39
6/8/12 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Thomas! I'm cutting the recess for the hinges with a template guide, it requires a very intense accuracy. So much so that i've been using a set of dial calipers to scribe the layout and setup the router. The rest of the joinery has been done with combination of saws and freehand routing.

Eventually i'll buy a router table and be able to produce locking miters, a slight upgrade from the plain miters.
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post #30 of 39
11/5/12 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
Sorry for my unusually slow progress on these, they just typically find their way to the back burner behind more pressing projects.

Here's where I am at with these:

IMAGE_423.jpg

This is one of the ebony veneer humidors cut for hinges and cut on the back of the lip to allow it to open with the inset hinges. I'm using quadrant hinges which, typically the back of the hinges would stand proud about 1/4". However I dislike the feel of that so I have set them in and cut the back of the box.

IMAGE_422.jpg

This is everything needed prior to finishing, when they return I will cut to fit the spanish cedar bottom of the tray and edges. The reason why it has those two blocks is to set the depth of that back panel so that the humidifier and gauge can be attached for an invisible mount.

In the future I will no longer be using the Elie Bleu gauges since it's come to my attention that most smokers prefer to simply sit a digital gauge in the box, and many high end makers are leaving out the gauges.
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