Rosewood Humidor - Cuban Origin Cedar

Very nice. Clean and Classy look with appealing contrasts and colors.

Are there any good websites you could recommend for info on how to build a good humidor and what one needs to watch out for? It’s something I would like to build once, but only if I read up first on how to make one that actually fulfills the purpose well.

-- www.horstpeter.com

Hi there,

Indeed, I would highly recommend this old article from Fine Woodworking. It’s what I based my first humidors off of. I made a couple of changes to it however:
- instead of using MDF for the lid, I use high quality 3/4-in. multi-ply
- I also seal all the end grain of the spanish cedar liner pieces with shellac (careful not to coat the actual faces of the liner pieces – this helps with stability
- I also chose side rail hinges instead of quadrant hinges since they are easier to install and are super-solid – just be sure you invest in some good hinges (about $40) – it’s worth it. Why spend 100 bucks building a beautiful object only to install sub-par $15 hinges? Know what I mean?
Cheers and good luck!
-Ed

-- Ed Pirnik, Fine Woodworking Web Producer

Well done, very clean lines. Where is the humidifier and guage going?

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

I’ll install a digital gauge and humidifier right on the lid – just haven’t bought them yet. I’ve been testing the humidity levels with a big 3-inch diameter analog hygrometer I have for testing only.

Cheers!
Ed

-- Ed Pirnik, Fine Woodworking Web Producer

@Ed Pirnik

Thanks for the tip on the fine woodworking article. I googled it and it is actually available as a free download, which made me happy.
As far as your changes go, they seem like intelligent improvements. I only use plywood myself and never MDF for my works. Not out of snobbery about how it’s a man-made material and just dust+glue , but because I put value on the fact that I build things to be repairable and anyone who has tried to veneer MDF with hide glue and then remove it again will probably agree that it’s not exactly something to recommend.
About the hinges I have to fully agree. If you build high quality work that is worth something, you should not shy away from giving it hardware that is adequate as well. Sadly I have yet to find an online-store here in Europe that sells good hinges. So I’ve not incorporated any in my work yet. I wanted to get some hidden SOSS hinges recently, but could only find them in places that sell in bulk. Sometimes it seems not so easy to find a store even in our advanced age of information and the internet.

Next thing I’d need into would probably be humidifiers and get a hygrometer for testing as well.

-- www.horstpeter.com

Beautiful work, Ed. 1st class in every respect!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Very nice. Perfect wood combi.

Cheers

Ian

-- Worlds Best Box Hardware! https://www.facebook.com/NeatHardware?ref=hl

Ed, Thanks for your earlier comments on my “jaws” jig. Comming from you, that is indeed a compliment! I felt I should return the favor after I saw your humidor. I used to smoke cigars years ago, but now maybe once per year is about it. That said, I must tell you I appreciate your humidor for it’s simple elegance! Absolutely stunning! Incidentally, I’m told the best way to test humidity is to put in a fresh Macanudo on Monday, and see how you enjoy it on Friday.

-- Tom Huntley - Rochester Hills, Michigan

Thanks Tom – incidentally, I’ve got a couple of Dominicans (CT wrapper) cooking there right now. LOL

Cheers!

-E

-- Ed Pirnik, Fine Woodworking Web Producer

Smoooooooth, sleeeeeeeeeek, and Elegant !
Very nice for sure!

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

That humidor is gorgeous. Wow. I love the clean edges to it. The grains are incredible, the inlay is the perfect transitional blend between the woods, and I’m now running out of awesome things to say about it. Nice work.

-- Measure, cut, curse, repeat.

I’m working on a large and intricate marquetry ultra high-quality humidor myself, which is taking ages but hey,.. it’s a hobby right? ;)

Love yours – looks very pro (better??)

You can be proud!

-- Frank Boer, Holland

Thanks Frank and everyone. I truly appreciate your supportive comments!
Cheers all,
Ed

-- Ed Pirnik, Fine Woodworking Web Producer

It’s astoundingly gorgeous. I’m embarrassed about mine now.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

im an avad cigar smoker myself and i must say this is probably one of the best if not the best humidor ive ever seen. congrats on the nice work.