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Ahah! I knew I'd pique your interests, you dogs! I have a question regarding cigar boxes and the women in your lives (unless you are into purses). When I met Jim (jjohnson28) a few weeks ago, he gave me a cigar box and said that his wife makes or is going to make purses out of them and that I should try it too. I thought it was a great idea, how unique. Jim said that boutiques sell them for a lot of money. Well, I hadn't really noticed any before, maybe 1 or 2 (and being esplendidoschick, you think that I would have) until last week. I guess I was in the "shopping" mode or something 'cause it seemed that I was in quite a few stores. I saw a small plain wooden cigar box purse selling for $60.00 in one store. Then I saw another one at a different store. It was a black Maduro box, rather large for $100. Very pretty. And then another one that was the most elaborate with silk fabric and nicer hardware on the outside. Are you ready for this??? It was $210.00! You guys are sitting on a gold mine! I'm thinking, we should work something out here and set up shop!!! Do you or anyone you know make these purses or other items from the boxes? I know that one of your wives makes Christmas things out of the tubes. Where could I get an abundance of cigar boxes? Smokeshops? And finally, do you think a Dremel type tool would work best for drilling to install handles and corner hardware or a regular drill with a small bit? I'm not sure how much torque I need for wood vs cardboard boxes...I'm just kidding, I don't have a clue what to do 'cause I'm just a girl...HELP!

Thanks! I just always come to the forum boards and never venture elsewhere! I did do a cigar box purse search on google that turned up some pretty interesting things. Someone had actually stacked several boxes in different directions and made lamps out of them. Another person added little feet on the bottom and a knob to lid for a nice storage box. I guess I need to be more creative. There's even one site that sells artwork, and I mean artwork, made out of the boxes. You'd hardly know they were ever cigar boxes! I still need suggestions on how to install the hardware though. Would a regular screwdriver work?

regular screwing works for me

Phillips screwdriver - vodka and milk of magnesia

you would probably do fine using a srewddriver as the screws will be small and the wood thin, and may use a push pin or thumbtac to make your pilot hole,hopefully the screws will drive straight for you. good luck.
P.S. don't hold it against me if this doesn't work, it's just an idea.

Thanks guys! I still would appreciate more advice on the matter. Longbridgehollow, I don't ever remember hearing from you before...Hi! And as for you Steve, you're busted!

Hello, and you haven't, I just found out about the site a few days ago. good luck

esplendidoschick---info follows with plumerias

C'mon! A need!?! If there's a woman on the planet then there's a need! E-Chick, on a recent trip down to Miami I saw a lot of women with those. It seems most like the smaller boxes. I saw an Astral "purse" that was outtasite! The strap for it had labels in plexiglass with a thin chain. You have to use your imagination here...Picture the "purse" with a D-ring on each side towards the top. A thin chain about 6" long and a label, another piece of chain, and a label...etc until it went all the way to the other side. It was all dressed out with gold and you could tell it was expensive. I didn't want to seem nosy, and ask her baout the inside, but now with your request I wish I had! I'd make a donation, but my kids get all of my old cigar boxes!

Some random thoughts on making a quality product: Replace all brass hardware with better quality stuff -- if local sources aren't available search google for "brass cabinet hinge" (without quotes). Use through-hole hardware (ie: small brass machine screw with T-nut inside the box) since cigar box wood is soft and a standard wood screw won't offer enough 'bite' to last very long. D-rings for the strap should be the non-swivel type so as to prevent scratching an arc in the wood. Polyurethane is probably the best finish for this as it's tough and pretty resistant to yellowing and cracking. Good quality felt is another lining option, in addition to the leather already mentioned. Hope this helps.