I am planning to build a humidor and recently read Rick Allyn’s article in FW #127. I am thinking of using this plan.
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Allyn’s plan calls for a box made out of Spanish cedar, veneered on the outside only, and then lined with a 3/16” Spanish cedar lining. “The Spanish cedar lining inside the humidor is in effect a second box. It maintains the humidity level by absorbing and releasing moisture from the humidifier”.
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On other knots posts regarding humidors, others have recommended, and claim excellent results, using MDF, or other solid woods for the box, veneered on the outside only, and lined with Spanish cedar on the inside.
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Why are none of these humidor boxes failing (warping) with only veneering one side of the box?
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I can also see how adding a backer veneer (sandwiched between the box substrate and the Spanish cedar lining may create potential problems with the humidity inside the humidor. I am interested in making this for a friend as a gift, and don’t want it to be a problem down the road.
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Any thoughts or suggestions?
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-Phil
Replies
Phil,
IMHO, I think that they are all veneered on the inside of the box. The veneer is the Spanish cedar.
Aside from that, the relative small size box of a humidor (unless your building a freestanding chest) can easily withstand the small pressures of veneer balance as they are short and "in joint" in many directions rather quickly.
If I were concerned at all, it would be over the buckling of the external veneer relative to the rather thick counter balance of the 3/16th cedar lining. As to the solid Spanish cedar boxes, the article said as much in that Spanish Cedar itself is extremely stable. It might be of concern if you were actually veneering onto the Spanish Cedar and that were the total thickness of your walls.
Boiler
Edited 8/13/2009 10:25 am by boilerbay
Boilerbay,When I read the article, I read that the inside lining is not glued to the inside of the box.... I think that I might have to try it and see how it all works together....
Advise your friend to stop smoking, which would negate the need for the humidor? ;-)
Although the interior lining might reduce the moisture transfer to the inside, un-veneered surface, I would have assumed that eventually there would be an equalization within the box, and thus a differential with the outside, veneered surface. But, the moisture level inside isn't all that great, which might be the deciding factor.
You can get away with veneering only the outside because the box shape restrains the sides from warping.
Phil,
It is owner's sacred duty to keep the cigars in a humidity-stable environment. Some prefer mid-60's% RH (as opposed to the dogmatic 70%)
Minor variations in (interior) humidity present little danger to the wood. In a solid wood (cigar) box the level of the moisture content tends toward the minimal variation between the inside and outside of the box. By maintaining a stable moisture content on the inside, you get it also throughout the walls.
I do not know (I wish I did) what role do the glue 'layers' play in the in the rates of moisture transfer - the articles on humidors that I have seen do not address this aspect of the construction.
Best wishes to you and best herfing to your friend.
Metod
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