Building a Coolidor Finally

[illilli]

I have been shopping around for a larger humidor, but I just couldn't see buying any of those Chinese-made things. While I am not opposed to them on the basis of they are TOTAL crap, they just didn't quite meet my expectations in size, color or operation. (For example, I have a HARD time believing that huge sheet of glass in a door with a 3 inch frame is going to seal.) My wife didn't like any of the sizes or colors, but she agreed to let me get one.

Well, I finally decided to go the Coolidor way. Today, I bought a 150 QT Coleman Cooler that has the slots in it. I ordered some Spanish cedar 3/8" planks to make the shelves. I bought a hygrometer from Walmart (snicker). I ordered 1.5 pounds of Heartfelt 65% humidity beads. I also checked on some 2" high density foam to set the cooler on. JoAnne Fabric sells it. (If anyone has a better idea, let me know.) Finally, I ordered 8 12.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 inch trays with dividers. I don't want to keep opening boxes to move cigars around. I just want them in the open so I can look at them.

I'll post pictures when I get the ingredients all at my house and when I get it together and loaded. I'm pretty excited about it, even though it's a simple thing.

[badwhale]

I have been shopping around for a larger humidor, but I just couldn't see buying any of those Chinese-made things. While I am not opposed to them on the basis of they are TOTAL crap, they just didn't quite meet my expectations in size, color or operation. (For example, I have a HARD time believing that huge sheet of glass in a door with a 3 inch frame is going to seal.) My wife didn't like any of the sizes or colors, but she agreed to let me get one.

Well, I finally decided to go the Coolidor way. Today, I bought a 150 QT Coleman Cooler that has the slots in it. I ordered some Spanish cedar 3/8" planks to make the shelves. I bought a hygrometer from Walmart (snicker). I ordered 1.5 pounds of Heartfelt 65% humidity beads. I also checked on some 2" high density foam to set the cooler on. JoAnne Fabric sells it. (If anyone has a better idea, let me know.) Finally, I ordered 8 12.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 inch trays with dividers. I don't want to keep opening boxes to move cigars around. I just want them in the open so I can look at them.

I'll post pictures when I get the ingredients all at my house and when I get it together and loaded. I'm pretty excited about it, even though it's a simple thing.

Your Anejos survived in this...


Nice job on the coolerdor! wait. coolidor? Koolidore?

[illilli]

Your Anejos survived in this...

That doesn't look like it was made in China... I like it!

[CptnBlues63]

That doesn't look like it was made in China... I like it!

Agreed!


Ok Will 'fess up.........where'd you get that nice humidor??

[ggiese]

I say you do the "Pirate Chest" conversion of that coolidor...

http://www.incrediblethings.com/art-...-chest-cooler/

[ashauler]

I say you do the "Pirate Chest" conversion of that coolidor...

http://www.incrediblethings.com/art-...-chest-cooler/

Ok, maybe I'm easily amused, but that is pretty cool. Scrap lumber is one thing I have no shortage of as well.

[badwhale]

I say you do the "Pirate Chest" conversion of that coolidor...

http://www.incrediblethings.com/art-...-chest-cooler/

That, is genius!

[illilli]

Nice job on the coolerdor! wait. coolidor? Koolidore?

Yeah, it just dawned on me that it SHOULD be coolerdor versus coolidor. I'm not very quick on the up-take you know....

[Cigarbear]

I ended up making my own trays but you could do the same for separators. Woodcraft & Rockler both sell spanish cedar in 1/8" & 1/4" thickness.

[illilli]

I ended up making my own trays but you could do the same for separators. Woodcraft & Rockler both sell spanish cedar in 1/8" & 1/4" thickness.

I may have to do that, but I'm not exactly handy. I AM building my own Spanish Cedar shelves, but they will be very basic. A tray looks a lot harder. I built a gun rack in shop, but that was quite a while ago and I had the SHOP to use, not to mention a plan.

You got any plans for cedar tray? (By the way, I don't care about the separator...THAT I could build!)

[Cigarbear]

I may have to do that, but I'm not exactly handy. I AM building my own Spanish Cedar shelves, but they will be very basic. A tray looks a lot harder. I built a gun rack in shop, but that was quite a while ago and I had the SHOP to use, not to mention a plan.

You got any plans for cedar tray? (By the way, I don't care about the separator...THAT I could build!)

I didn't use any plans and the trays show it but I have a wood shop so it was pretty easy once I sourced the cedar. If you use 1/4" stock you can glue the sides with just butt joints and the slots with a keyhole saw and a drill. There must be something on the web but a quick Google search came up with mostly desk top humi plans...

[illilli]

I had ordered 8 Spanish cedar trays from Amazon and the seller didn't come through for me. So, I went out looking for all-cedar trays. Apparently, there is only one company making them (The 100% cedar kind) in the style that I like; and they are out of them everywhere.

I did the second best thing and tore the lid off a cigar box. I only have one box with a nice cedar lining.

Anyway, if someone knows where I can get some that have the vertical slots -- not the diagonal slots, I don't like that kind, please send me the link.

[tc3driver]

I had ordered 8 Spanish cedar trays from Amazon and the seller didn't come through for me. So, I went out looking for all-cedar trays. Apparently, there is only one company making them (The 100% cedar kind) in the style that I like; and they are out of them everywhere.

I did the second best thing and tore the lid off a cigar box. I only have one box with a nice cedar lining.

Anyway, if someone knows where I can get some that have the vertical slots -- not the diagonal slots, I don't like that kind, please send me the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Cedar-.../dp/B00B9234HE

Please let me know if I am off base.

[illilli]

Please let me know if I am off base.

"Solid Spanish Cedar w/Cedar veneered MDF base" or in other words, NOT 100% Cedar!

I am extremely well-versed in doing internet research, so very obviously, I have seen everything they have at Amazon, since I said I ordered from Amazon. However, thanks for thinking I'm not capable of navigating Amazon's site thoroughly -- I AM old and probably don't know anything about technology at all based on that.

I know, I know, it's like Christmas...it's the thought that counts, so thank you very much for trying to help.

[ggiese]

Pottery Barn has a very nice vintage wood oval tray. I'm not sure if it's Spanish cedar (it says "mango-wood", whatever that is). I think it would look great in your coolidor - and you can also use it while entertaining guests. It's a win-win!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/...acet-_-Tray-_-

[TheGreekTitan]

Pottery Barn has a very nice vintage wood oval tray. I'm not sure if it's Spanish cedar (it says "mango-wood", whatever that is). I think it would look great in your coolidor - and you can also use it while entertaining guests. It's a win-win!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/...acet-_-Tray-_-

illilli


I've been looking at this guys stuff to get some ideas for my wineador design that I plan on building myself. Looks like some nice work from what I can tell online. The slats are diagonal, but I'm pretty sure he'd make them to your desired style and specs.

http://wineadors.com/coolidors.html

[illilli]

Pottery Barn has a very nice vintage wood oval tray. I'm not sure if it's Spanish cedar (it says "mango-wood", whatever that is). I think it would look great in your coolidor - and you can also use it while entertaining guests. It's a win-win!

Oh, thank YOU too very much for your most excellent help! With all the help I'm getting from the newbies, I should have a fiesta of cigar flavors in my....oh, you were joking with me, weren't you gg?? I am SO slow to pick up on things......

[illilli]

Thanks for the feedback. I ordered two more Cedar planks to make two more shelves. I'll post the measurements of the cuts to make it fit snugly. I was going to put a couple of connectors to the planks, but honestly they turned out fitting so securely that I decided against it.

The humidity is slowly going up...it's at 46% today and going up about 2% a day. I'm OK with that because I prefer this technique over wetting/damping the cedar. Of course, when I add the other planks, the humidity will go down some. I'm actually curious about how much it will drop.

[illilli]

Here is the completed project. I'm seasoning the insides for a while and I'll post in appropriate thread with cigars.

I apologize for the quality of these stupid images. My phone and I are not ONE. How am I supposed to know it orients the picture according to the damn phone orientation?? Thank you automation for thinking for me....if computers become self-aware, we are in trouble because they will do things like slam our breaks on because we bought a "large" soda to make us spill it, because they have to protect our health. That happens and I'm going all "I Robot" on something!

[badwhale]

Looking good! Go Koolidor!!!