Newbie Humidor Question

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12-16-2011, 09:50 AM
GreatBazunka

Newbie Humidor Question

Hi everyone. I am new here and wanted to drop in to ask a few questions about a humidor that i am trying to build.What i want to do is this. I have a wooden side table that has a drawer in the bottom of it. I want to convert that drawer into a humidor. It is a pretty big size and i would like to take advantage of that space. Here are my plans and you guys tell me if there sounds like there are any flaws in them. So the drawer is your normal pull out drawer. I want to get some wood and put a lid on it with hinges and a handle. then i was thinking i should line the inside with Spanish cedar veneer. Install a hygrometer and humidifier and that should be all i need. My main questions are should i use only wood glue for the fastening of the lid or can i use nails to hold it more securely? Also, is a cigar shelf on the inside a necessity or just a convenience? I am trying to not get too extravagant right now since i don't have alot of cigars. If it is just a convenience then i could always add one later if i felt it necessary. Let me know what you think.
12-16-2011, 09:54 AM
badwhale

Get a cooler, some beads, and more cigars.

Will
12-16-2011, 09:57 AM
GreatBazunka

That doesn't really answer my question does it?
12-16-2011, 09:59 AM
badwhale

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

<snip> I am trying to not get too extravagant right now since i don't have alot of cigars. <snip> Let me know what you think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

That doesn't really answer my question does it?

Or does it?:smiley2:
12-16-2011, 10:02 AM
GreatBazunka

No it really doesn't. I dont want a cooler. I want to do what i am describing here and i want some educated opinions on how my idea sounds. And if i am missing anything from idea and how everyone thinks it will work.
12-16-2011, 10:06 AM
badwhale

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

No it really doesn't. I dont want a cooler. I want to do what i am describing here and i want some educated opinions on how my idea sounds. And if i am missing anything from idea and how everyone thinks it will work.

Alright. What makes you think my response isn't an educated opinion? It sure is an opinion. Want another one? Common side tables aren't made to be humidors without extensive modifications, so IMHO, I think your plan sucks, and you're wasting your time.

Will
12-16-2011, 10:09 AM
ashauler

I think someone left the damn bug-zapper on.
12-16-2011, 10:11 AM
Paddy

Will's right !
After you have spend hundreds of dollars and countless hours of work just to find out it will not hold RH, You can buy a endtable humidor from multiple sources for under a nickel.
12-16-2011, 10:17 AM
GreatBazunka

Quote:

Originally Posted by badwhale

Alright. What makes you think my response isn't an educated opinion? It sure is an opinion. Want another one? Common side tables aren't made to be humidors without extensive modifications, so IMHO, I think your plan sucks, and you're wasting your time.

Will

Sure it is an opinion, but i cannot say that it has been educated since all you have given me are short vague answers up until now.

As for everyone else, can anyone tell me what the problem with my idea is? I mean, even if a create a good seal and line the drawer with spanish cedar you guys still dont think it would work right?
12-16-2011, 10:29 AM
VancouverMark

Trying to convert your drawer to humidor is not that simple. The seal between the lid and the box of a regular humidor has a bevel that the lid slides over snugly. This probably won't be easy to incorporate in to your drawer unless you are a fairly skilled woodworker. If you are intent on going down this road, I would use solid Spanish cedar as opposed to veneer and make sure you get the lid seal right. Research hinges because most humidors use hinges that are hidden inside each side of the humidor (can't recall the actual name but someone posted pics recently in one of the sub-forums).

Personally, I would buy a desktop humidor from a quality dealer or if you are planning on expanding your cigar collection extensively, get a cooler as previously mentioned. I bought a 150 count humidor when I got in to this hobby about 8 months ago and now it's near capacity. :smiley19:

I won't be buying any more humidors as the one I have is nice and performs well. I may pick up a cooler and then just use my humidor to hold the cigars I plan on smoking in the near future.
12-16-2011, 10:33 AM
GreatBazunka

Thanks for the info!!
12-16-2011, 10:55 AM
badwhale

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

Sure it is an opinion, but i cannot say that it has been educated since all you have given me are short vague answers up until now.

As for everyone else, can anyone tell me what the problem with my idea is? I mean, even if a create a good seal and line the drawer with spanish cedar you guys still dont think it would work right?

My answers have hardly been vague. Short, maybe. We too have our bad days in customer service here...

Sorry my replies just weren’t what you wanted to hear.
12-16-2011, 11:33 AM
buzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

My main questions are should i use only wood glue for the fastening of the lid or can i use nails to hold it more securely?

Yes, you can use nails to hold it more securely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

Also, is a cigar shelf on the inside a necessity or just a convenience?

No, a cigar shelf on the inside is not a necessity.

I apologize on behalf of this entire forum for badwhale's horrible response to you. He needs to learn to simply answer questions and not try to offer different ideas or solutions. He also needs to learn to provide in-depth step-by-step instructions instead of quick short directions. After all, you took the time to word your questions so well - using perfect spelling and grammar, right? He should be ashamed.

<facepalm smiley>
12-16-2011, 12:02 PM
mrtr33

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatBazunka

Hi everyone. I am new here and wanted to drop in to ask a few questions about a humidor that i am trying to build.What i want to do is this. I have a wooden side table that has a drawer in the bottom of it. I want to convert that drawer into a humidor. It is a pretty big size and i would like to take advantage of that space. Here are my plans and you guys tell me if there sounds like there are any flaws in them. So the drawer is your normal pull out drawer. I want to get some wood and put a lid on it with hinges and a handle. then i was thinking i should line the inside with Spanish cedar veneer. Install a hygrometer and humidifier and that should be all i need. My main questions are should i use only wood glue for the fastening of the lid or can i use nails to hold it more securely? Also, is a cigar shelf on the inside a necessity or just a convenience? I am trying to not get too extravagant right now since i don't have alot of cigars. If it is just a convenience then i could always add one later if i felt it necessary. Let me know what you think.

It's my day to be nice around here. Sorry I didn't respond sooner.

Can you do the above? Sure. Use the wood glue. Just let the drawer air outside for a few days to eliminate the wood glue odor. Personally, I'd clamp those veneers on after you glued them to the inside of your humidor. I don't quite understand the whole 'lid' thing on top of the pull-out drawer. I just can't picture it. So when you pull the drawer out, you then have to lift a lid on top of the drawer? I'm also not clear on the cigar shelf. I mean, not all humidors have shelves - this seems like a purely aesthetic feature.

Should you do the above? I don't think so. Think of a humidor as a small micro-climate. It's purpose is to keep a square area of space a certain humidity level. In order to do that, you'll need a container that has the ability to lock that humidity in as best as possible. Coolers conveniently fit this need very well - because coolers are inherently designed to keep their contents cool (another micro-climate), they're ideal candidates for humidors. They might not be sightly or even convenient, but it sure makes financial sense.
Wooden drawers, on the other hand, aren't necessarily good for making micro-climates. There are probably too many places for the moisture to escape. You could theoretically try to seal the edges of the drawer, but will it be worth it? Additionally, humidors do best when they are at least half-full. If you have a large drawer with only a few cigars in there, all the sealant in the world won't help those cigars.

I hope this helps.