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Last post 21 years ago by justforfun. 28 replies replies.
Building a Humidor..Questions?
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dakota11 Offline
#1 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 11:43 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
I'm a weekend woodworker so I thnk I can build a nice cabinet for storing my smokes/boxes for aging..but one questions, on the glasstop and glassdoor ones..how do they seal the glass so its not an air hatch? And I'm wanting to build a small desktop cabinet, front opening..glass..how do you go about getting a good door seal?
thanks
cwilhelmi Offline
#2 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 11:56 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
Most of the cabinets for sale use door stripping along with a locking clasp in order to seal the door, then to seal the glass they use some sort of caulk. On both accounts you need to be very careful that the adhesives don't give off noxious fumes that will flavor your stogies. Slimboli probably has the perfect answer for you on brands of adhesive to use, where you can buy them, and how much you'll pay. If not he will have a link that will provide the info. He knows more about cigars and humi's than Jose Padron!!!
Mr.Mean Offline
#3 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 12:01 PM EST
Joined: 05-16-2001
Posts: 3,025
There is a non-toxic sealant that is used for glass that is sold in pet stores for use with aquariums. I imagine this could be used in the seam or pre trim stage.
freecigars2002 Offline
#4 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 12:03 PM EST
Joined: 02-10-2002
Posts: 101
I would use those little glaser's triangles inside to press the glass up tight against the frame and use a little latex caulk on the outside. Allow it to cure fully and it shouldn't emit fumes. Most of them are even paintable after they dry.
cwilhelmi Offline
#5 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 12:04 PM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
Good call Mean! What I don't understand is why dakota doesn't go for a coolerdor! I think he needs to here your song. I think it was to the "Ghostbusters" theme, right?
daveyg2 Offline
#6 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 6:25 PM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
Hire midgits to hold the door closed tight. Works for me!!!
dakota11 Offline
#7 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 7:29 PM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
I've drawn up some plans..question is, anyone know a discount place to buy exotic lumber via mail-order/online? Mahogany or cherry, and spanish cedar? Places here local seem expensive.
daveyg2 Offline
#8 Posted: Wed, Jun 26 2002, 10:07 PM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
Check some search engines. There are some good places. Check on google too. Excellent midgit shop located in the NY Metropolitan area.
bud451 Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 5:46 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
Try it without a tight seal. I have none on my converted armoire and found it works much better with some air circulating in and out.
Mr.Mean Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 6:17 AM EST
Joined: 05-16-2001
Posts: 3,025
It's like trying to teach 1st graders about combustion engines. It wasn't the Ghostbuster theme!
dakota11 Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 6:42 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
I'll probably use polyurethane glue, I can muter the corners but I'll end up gluing them, I dont have the equipment to make the joints. As far as the glass..still sketchy..I'll learn. Lining though, do you just pressure-fit the Spanish Cedar or glue it down? I would think pressure fit.
BTW my designs really cool if it comes out looking good. I'll post my plans sometime soon, then a final pic. I'm going to get the wood today.
Charlie Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 7:24 AM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
If you come up with "perfect seal" then you will have a humidy problem and this could spell disaster! Bud was right in that you need a little breathing or leakage in the humidor! Charlie
dakota11 Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 7:39 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
There will be leakage through the drawers, as they wont be sealed..I'll upload and post my draft tonight on the picture post. Its pretty cool
bud451 Offline
#14 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 8:19 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
If you can, try to find some tongue and groove spanish cedar. Then you can just brad nail it and forget the glue. Your project sounds nice and post some pics and always ask questions. Lots of knowledge around here....believe it or not!
dakota11 Offline
#15 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 9:39 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
Ok..here goes. I just went and got some honduran mahogany plywood. a 4x8 sheet (which is MORE than enough)..1. Finishing? I'll finish the outside with lacquer or polyeurethane, but should the interior be finished before lining with SC? 2. All the place had ws SC boards, where can i find it in sheets or even like 1/4" thickness? My smal humidors just have thin sheets of it, I dont want to line it with 1" thick SC? The guy said have it resawed but I find it hard to believe theres nowhere to order it in a sheet? Even better in sheet is I dont have to "plank" it.
thanks
dakota11 Offline
#16 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 9:51 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
Oh, and would I use solid spanish cedar, or would 1/4" plywood spanish cedar work as well?
bud451 Offline
#17 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 10:12 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
Ok...I'll try this. 1. No, I would not "finish" or treat the inside of the cabinet with anything, leave it raw. 2. Check online for places that sell SC, I've even seen it being sold on ebay. I got luck and found some beautiful 3/8" T&G at a local supply house. 3. I've never heard of plywood spanish cedar, if it's available I don't see why it wouldn't work. I believe Slim had a site for Spanish Cedar....I'll see if I can dig it up, but I am sure Google will find you something.
xrundog Offline
#18 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 10:15 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
dakota, I have built a large desktop with a glass top. First, www.lumberforsale.com has good wood at good prices. I did not use any sealant on the glass. Just used close tolerances. glass sits on a routered edge in the walnut top and is held in place by a routered piece of spanish cedar. I don't think the seal is perfect as the wood breathes and moves a little. But I am not filling my humidifier any more than I should be. Once a month or so. You need the solid cedar. Line it with 1/4". If you are making trays, or other constructs, you can use 3/8" too.
RDC Offline
#19 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 10:35 AM EST
Joined: 01-21-2000
Posts: 5,874
Go here http://www.cigargroup.com/faq/ this site can answer practically any Cigar question.
cwilhelmi Offline
#20 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 11:07 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
xrundog is right, you want solid SC or honduran mahogany.
dakota11 Offline
#21 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 11:38 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
I'm using h. mahogany plywood 1/2" for the exterior, that ok? And I called my local Home Depot..they're checking to see if they can order a 4x8 1/4" sheet of SC. I only need about 5 sq. ft. of 3/8" for the shelves but she doesnt know if she can find someone to sell a partial sheet. I hate to buy a 4x8 and only need 5 out of it. Thanks for all the help so far, I AM taking notes =)
xrundog Offline
#22 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 12:58 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
I was thinking about your initial question while having my afternoon cigar (Puros Indios Rothschild. Lacks complexity but an ok smoke). It occured to me that I used no fasteners. Everything was glued and clamped. I imagine the glue sealed things up pretty well. Mahogany plywood is pretty nice looking. For the cabinet sides? I would think that it will work ok.
dakota11 Offline
#23 Posted: Thu, Jun 27 2002, 3:08 PM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
I found some 1/4" scraps on ebay for cheapcheapcheap..I guess I can "panel" the inside with them..really didnt wnt to but you cant tell..I'll post the plans late tonight, I need to redraw them and add the internal light, pushbutton switch, and some other things..oh..and the place I bought the mahogany gave me about a 4"w x 6"L x 1" Thick piece of Zebrawood..which I wanted to use for the drawer fronts =p Thought that was cool of them
5augie5 Offline
#24 Posted: Fri, Jun 28 2002, 3:27 AM EST
Joined: 12-02-1999
Posts: 165
Paxton-Woodsource has multiple locations in the states. They carry a variety of exotic wood and sell on-line. Just add the .com to the name to get to their web site. Good Luck!
dakota11 Offline
#25 Posted: Fri, Jun 28 2002, 6:08 AM EST
Joined: 06-11-2002
Posts: 18
As I'll be glueing most all the parts of this (a few will be set in grooves, then glued) what kind of glue would you reccomend? Regular yellow wood glue?
xrundog Offline
#26 Posted: Fri, Jun 28 2002, 8:00 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
There is a brand called Titebond which is pretty good. Gorilla glue has a good rep. also.
bud451 Offline
#27 Posted: Fri, Jun 28 2002, 8:26 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
I'd recommend a water based wood glue, like good old Elmers.
Charlie Offline
#28 Posted: Fri, Jun 28 2002, 8:45 AM EST
Joined: 06-16-2002
Posts: 39,751
Kinda agree on the Elmers glue for this application! Charlie
justforfun Offline
#29 Posted: Sat, Jun 29 2002, 3:08 PM EST
Joined: 03-06-2002
Posts: 797
where's rick when you need him?
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