Humidor supplies/ plans

[BigguyZ]

Does anyone have a good resource for humidor plans and the speacialty equipment for them? I'm looking to build a small desktop size one for my brother for Christmas.

Thanks!

[LJR]

I've never found a good source for plans for humidors yet, but I keep looking. I buy parts from this source: http://capitalcigarsource.com/phumidifier.htm

[cabinetman]

Found this simple one, it may be of some help.
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[BigguyZ]

LJR, so I'd just need one of those humidifiers, and a hygrometer then?

That's definitely a better deal than WC.

Cabinetman,
That is a similar design from what I had in mind. So would i have the box lined with cedar? Would aromatic or spanish be the best choice? the only other thing I'd like to add is a second shelf that set in the box.

Thanks!

[cabinetman]

Spanish cedar is the preferred liner, and one I've used to make gift humidors.
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[LJR]

Bigguy, yes that's really all you need for a humidifier is a humidifier and a hygrometer. Line the inside of the box you build with spanish cedar. Don't use aromatic cedar because the cigars will take on that flavor. I tend to get my small hardware and hinges from Lee Valley or the local Woodcraft.

[BigguyZ]

Cool. What's the length of the typical cigar? I think I need to get pen to paper and get a plan together so I can get started. Christmas is fast approaching...

Thanks!

[Jeffrey Schronce]

9 deep x 16 wide x 7 tall

Two ways to go about it. One is build solid wood frame and line with spanish cedar. Second is to build from spanish cedar and veneer the wood of choice.

When looking for a primary wood you will likely want something that is close celled, lacks pores, is hard and takes lacquer well. Most humidors are lacquer finished and rubbed to high gloss. Figured cherry, figured maple, maple burl, quilted maple, mahogony (would require pore filling) all make good candidates.

The thing is basically a box. You need a well thought out lid that fits tightly.

Oh ya, as I advised in other thread and as noted above do NOT use aromatic cedar. Yuck!

Lee Valley and WC both have a nice hinge, though they are expensive for what they are. If brother is really into stogies you may want to let him put his own hygrometer and humdifiers in the unit. He may want something nicer than the basic, ie digital gauge and more advanced anti-microbial humidity units.

[BigguyZ]

My brother isn't big into cigars- currently he keeps his cigars in a plastic baggie. So I think something a bit smaller would work, but it's good to know the depth needed for a full-size cigar (9 inches). I also think the budget hygrometer and humidifier would be sufficient as well.

I like the look of the solid hardwood with a Spanish cedar liner, so I think that will be what I go for. As for the top, I was thinking that if I had the liner be a half inch proud of the bottom, that would give a lip for the top to sit in and create more of a seal when closed. What do you think?

Edit- I'm thinking 9d x 10w x 4t would be a more appropriate size for him. That should give enough space for 4 "layers" or cigars, and some storage... What do you think?

[lakkdainen]

Do you know the name of the size he usually smokes? Typically the shortest you will see is 4.5" robusto/rothschilds, and the longest being churchills up to 7.5" or so. As for thickness, the ring gauge used is 1/64". The biggest typical size is around 54 ring (27/32"). That should help you determine the depth you need.

I'm more of a cigar smoker than humidor builder at this point, so I have some questions of my own that'll help you too.

Since you're basically making a solid wood box designed to have 70% humidity inside, and variable outside, I'd guess this would be a nightmare for wood movement. Are there any specific construction techniques needed? Say you make the box first and then line the interior, do you have to leave an expansion gap? Theoretically, the inside will be constant humidity, so maybe you don't need a gap... but the outside changes, so maybe you do...

It's all so confusing..