Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Mar 25, 2008 05:36am | #1

   Doc,

    

   Does the Cedar box need to be completely sealed at all corners, so that the moisture stays contained to the cedar liner?

   Yes. You will need to keep the relative humidity constant inside of the box. Air leakage will cause fluctuations in the relative humidity.

    

   Should the cedar liner be built as its own enclosed box and then inserted into the cabinet so that moisture can't permeate into the cabinet wood (which will likely be oak)? 

   Not necessarily. You could do it that way if you like, but I attach the spanish cedar directly to the inside of my boxes.

   Should there be an air space between the cedar and the oak, or can the cedar go directy against the oak? 

   An air space would help insulate the inside of the box and keep the temperature more stable. However, the humidity inside of the box is much more important than the inside temp. If the box will be kept indoors - then the temp will not be a concern as it will likely be in a comfortable range. Personally I would skip the air space idea.

   Hope this helps,

   Lee

2. 
   vbwoodworks | Mar 25, 2008 03:02pm | #2

   The cedar does not need to be completely sealed as the only way to do that is to glue up a box of it and even then you'll need to get in. What I've been doing the last 18 or so years is build my box, finish it inside and out (with a finish that will not off gas for a long time). Then I will line the box with the Spanish Cedar and make sure it all fits snugly, but no air space.

   Darrin 

1. 
   Doc | Mar 26, 2008 05:06am | #5

   Thanks so much for all of your replies.

   Darrin - what is your preferred finish for the inside of the box prior to putting in the cedar?  What kind of glue do you use when glueing the cedar inside the box?  And any problems getting the glue to adhere to your pre-finished wood?

   One additional question.  Any risk, if I use a glass panel on the door, that I'll have a foggy or dew covered glass on the inside of the door?  I know the humidity is supposed to be kept around 70%, but I don't want to use glass it it's going to be covered in moisture.  I haven't seen this problem on other humidors that I've seen, but I thought I'd ask for your opinions.  Thanks again.

1. 
   vbwoodworks | Mar 29, 2008 03:06pm | #6

   Over the years I've used titebond, titebond II,and gorilla glue, and now I won't use anything but titebond II. I don't glue in the cedar, it is friction fit, asI am for the most part building desktop boxes that hold 20- 250 cigars. I've used shellac, tung oil, teak oil, polys and varnishes, both water and oil. Just need to let them off gas so the cigars won't get contaminated and taste funny. 

   As far as the glass fogging up I don't think that would be a problem, the only one I've built with glass was a 6' tall corner unit and the guy quit smoking cigars within a few years. He didn't have any problems with fogging that he told me about.

   You do want to maintain approx. 70% humidity inside, but that is not the whole story. A relative humidity of 70% is what you want and that is as close to 70% at 70 degrees (when the temp goes up, humidity goes down and vice-verse), but in an average home that is almost impossible. So don't put your humidors under a window, for that matter keep them against interior walls.

   Darrin     

         

3. 
   Jfrostjr | Mar 25, 2008 03:17pm | #3

   In one of the back issues of FWW there was a story on building a humidor. (I built one for my son.) It was recommended that a source of humidity be installed in the lid, along with a humidistat; sources were listed. My son said that it was very difficult to keep the humidity up to the required range.

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

4. 
   Woodrat1 | Mar 25, 2008 04:12pm | #4

   Doc,

   Here's an article from the Projects tab in FineWoodworking.com.

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignPDF.aspx?id=2496

   I found it to be very helpful.

   Bill-

   http://www.franklinwoodwright.com