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Humidor Problems Over...

D

DKAudio

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2006
Messages
371
My search for a cheap humidor is over. After the Ebay Greg made cabinets thread came about it got me thinking. I made a similar cabinet in high school. I believe it is pine that I sealed with polyurethane. This is what I did...
-My local saves the spanish cedar pieces that come in cigar boxes, puts them in the humidor and gives them away for free. I grabbed quite a few of those for lining.
-Bought 3 empty spanish cedar cigar boxes for $1 each (CAO and AF)
-Went to Home Depot and bought european hinges. These are the kind that sit completely inside the cabinet and "snap" shut. Bought 1/4" thick hollow dome type weather stripping. Bought new hardware (for looks of course) and bought a magnetic door latch.

I got home and installed everything. The magnetic latch wasen't quite strong enough. I ended up using super glue to hold a neodymium iron boron rare earth magnet (super strong) to the metal plate that screws on the door. This resolved the issue and pulled it in very nice. When the door snaps shut I get a nice bassy whoosh. I put in some distilled water and the spanish cedar over night. Checked it this morning before I left for work and it smells glorious!

This is what I have left to do...
-Mount the spanish cedar pieces. I will probably use velcro like many suggest. Trying to think of something different though because I don't like how thick it is and how far the cedar wood sit off the cabinet as a result.
-Cut plexiglass shelves and mount them. For mounting I am going to try using those rubber baby buggy bumpers that are on the bottom of appliances, laptops, etc. My work has some big strong ones that should work nice as a makeshift shelf pin.

Check back tonight or tomorrow, I should finish soon. When I do I will post complete pics.

Thanks

Dan
 
you might think of checking out luan plywood at home depot as well. i found a 2'x4' piece recently for lining my coolidor and shelves for $3.99. it helps hold the rh at a constant 66-68 for me. doesn't smell as nice as the spanish cedar, but i keep the good sticks in a nice box.
 
I have a bunch of nice plexi just lying around at home, I will probably use that since it is free and will look nice.

Forgot to mention...also ordered a 1/2LB of beads that should arrive soon :)
 
For attaching the cedar peices you could glue them with something like elmers and lap them like cedar shingles for a nice appearance.
 
Ok, finished, here are the pics...




Here you can see my rare earth magnet on the metal piece screwed to the door. This pulls it in amazingly well. Also, don't jump the gun, the only cigar I have smoked out of these boxes is a CAO Gold. I bought the empty ones at my local for $1 each, thought it would be a good idea just to get some more spanish cedar in their. Hopefully in the future I will be able to try a Guhrka and Rocky Patel Reserve...some day


1/2 LB of beads in the back :)
 
Nice job. Is it holding the humidity? Did you allow time for the cabinetdor to season?
 
BlueyHK said:
Nice job. Is it holding the humidity? Did you allow time for the cabinetdor to season?
Click to expand...

I had 2 soaked paper towels in there for 2 days. It appears that I am going to have to add some more water to my beads. This is the first time I have worked with beads. I read on the site that 1/2LB should have 1-1.5 tablespoons of water. I tried 1 and it did not make 60-70% of the beads clear, not even close. Is that figure correct?

I sold my hygrometer with my collection so I cannot say if it is holding for sure. I have been told with beads you don't even need one because they are so darn accurate.
 
DKAudio said:
I had 2 soaked paper towels in there for 2 days. It appears that I am going to have to add some more water to my beads. This is the first time I have worked with beads. I read on the site that 1/2LB should have 1-1.5 tablespoons of water. I tried 1 and it did not make 60-70% of the beads clear, not even close. Is that figure correct?

I sold my hygrometer with my collection so I cannot say if it is holding for sure. I have been told with beads you don't even need one because they are so darn accurate.
Click to expand...

Nice looking project!

You made a great choice with the beads, they are indeed very accurate.

I do use a hygrometer though, I bought a wireless unit at WallyWorld for $20 or so. I keep the readout portion near my Lazy Boy to keep an eye on things. This winter, when the humidity went down in the humi, it went down suddenly and rapidly. It would be 65% one day and 50% the next.
 
DKAudio said:
BlueyHK said:
Nice job. Is it holding the humidity? Did you allow time for the cabinetdor to season?
Click to expand...

I had 2 soaked paper towels in there for 2 days. It appears that I am going to have to add some more water to my beads. This is the first time I have worked with beads. I read on the site that 1/2LB should have 1-1.5 tablespoons of water. I tried 1 and it did not make 60-70% of the beads clear, not even close. Is that figure correct?

I sold my hygrometer with my collection so I cannot say if it is holding for sure. I have been told with beads you don't even need one because they are so darn accurate.
Click to expand...

I got a super cheapo hygro at Wally World for $7 I think for the overflow humi. It suprisingly was dead on.
 
I got a super cheapo hygro at Wally World for $7 I think for the overflow humi. It suprisingly was dead on.
Click to expand...

Holly, too bad there aren't any Wally World's around here, othewise I would go get one for that price. I had a little Havana with my last collection but unfortunately it is gone :(
 
I could probably test a hygro with beads since they are so accurate. I got the 65% beads so if I bought a hygro at Walmart could I just put that in a ziplock with some beads? I was thinking 1/2 clear in a shot glass would be enough beads. How long should I leave it in there? Finally, say the result is -5% is it accurate to assume a year from now it is still -5% off or will the degree of error change?
 
I know about that salt test too but just putting in some beads would be easier if it would work.
 
I bought the $12 AcuRite unit from Walmart. It has a probe so I don't need to open the cabinet to check. I am salt testing right now. I wrote about it in my Hygrometer thread.
 
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