BIY Travel Humidor - Some Q's

[SteveH]

All,
First a warning - if you are expecting Waxing Moon/Aristocrat quality; shy thy eyes !
I decided that it was time for me to get into woodworking. When I was younger, I helped my dad build all the furniture in the house; so I know my way around the shop - just never had a shop of my own.
Slowly but surely, the tools found their way into the basement, and work began. Im attempting at making a small, 3-4 stick travel humidor, with an area for a cutter and lighter. I found some nice black walnut and tiger maple; and I was off !
Pics are below. What I am trying to understand is how I need to treat the inside of the box before I install the Spanish cedar lining ? What do I need to do to protect the joints from humidity ? I did use a water-proof glue.
For the lining itself, I have some 1/4" cedar which I will cross cut to fit tight, but rip loose so there's some expansion room. A couple dabs of glue to secure and it should be ready for seasoning I think.
From a finishing perspective, I've always found that tung oil and a paste wax finish figured woods nicely....So that's what Im going with here.
Any thoughts or suggestions ? I still need to drill 4 holes for magnets which will help keep the lid closed. I already cut some maple plugs to finish those holes.

Here's how it sits right now:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZYoshVlgeI/AAAAAAAAGso/wbtNUy24wnI/s800/1000000230.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZYovKu1iGI/AAAAAAAAGsw/HB4hXoJJ8P0/s800/1000000231.jpg


Thanks !
Steve

[BeerAdvocate]

That looks very nice. I would use it!!!

[N2 GOLD]

Looks real NICE, good work. :tu

[Zeuceone]

thats a work of art.

[Blueface]

That is very nice.
I would hate to see my attempt at something like that.

[KenS]

Sweet! :dr

As to your question: I doubt that the humidity inside is likely to cause any problems with the joints. Any thoughts as to how you'll keep things from banging around inside, and possibly damaging the sticks?

[SteveH]

Thanks guys !
As far as keeping everything secure - the lighter and cutter I will recess into the roof of the box, and secure with magnets.
For the cigars themselves, what I think I might do is make a little end-end divider which I'll use to lightly keep the cigars together. Not sure what else to do - as some times I may want to put some lanceros in - and others some jawbreakers.
Any thoughts ?

[Zeuceone]

maybe someone on here will sell you one of the foam inserts from there traveldor

[CRIMPS]

I think you can buy the foam inserts. You may have to slightly customize the foam... But, I bet there is a solution there.

[T.G]

Don't knock yourself, that's way nicer looking than anything I could have ever built out of wood.

Thanks guys !
As far as keeping everything secure - the lighter and cutter I will recess into the roof of the box, and secure with magnets.
For the cigars themselves, what I think I might do is make a little end-end divider which I'll use to lightly keep the cigars together. Not sure what else to do - as some times I may want to put some lanceros in - and others some jawbreakers.
Any thoughts ?

You could go with rippled foam like what is found in most cigar caddies or herfidores. Or, maybe put in a piece at each end that has vertical slots cut down it, say, every 3/16" (random number I made up for description), then just make a few long dividers that you can drop into place creating a bunch of long compartments for the cigars - and you can move the dividers to match the width of the cigars.

I'm not sure if that description makes sense or not, here's a photo of one of my pelican equipment cases with a similar system to hopefully give you an idea what I'm trying to describe.

[SteveH]

Ya man...I get what you are saying. I think if I just make a divider like what comes in most humidors it should be OK. The purpose of this container is just to take some sticks to parties, or on motorcycle rides, etc...Not really for hardcore travel.
I'll take some photos once I get the lining in, and have the finish applied.

Thanks again !

[SteveH]

So...back to work. My last box was kidnapped by the woman; she wanted a box to keep jewelry in when she travels.
This time, I'll give ya more pics as things progress. I made the laminate and then sanded smooth:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZ9vhh3eaLI/AAAAAAAAGuc/3XJ5RGryKMQ/s640/1000000247.jpg

Cut to length and mitered; then glued:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZ9wcFmoOxI/AAAAAAAAGuo/1wF_Ahw8Bd4/s640/1000000249.jpg

I have a homemade spline cutting rig. Nothing fancy - just keep in mind to use a flat-ground blade...Most ripping blades are. In the pic you can see a scrap which I used to test cut depth, as well as keeping position of the cut.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZ-3dTv9VPI/AAAAAAAAGu8/lkFQzWM8l4o/s640/1000000250.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZ-3e2BYkgI/AAAAAAAAGvA/-sKgMSKfZwI/s640/1000000251.jpg

[SteveH]

Splines cut, and glued into place:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZ-3glWSg8I/AAAAAAAAGvI/UMUMFl5Msj0/s640/1000000252.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TZ-3lKkmzfI/AAAAAAAAGvY/k1WfnYtMtjo/s640/1000000256.jpg

Cleaned up the splines, fitted the lids, and glued into place:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TaDaC3X0DoI/AAAAAAAAGwk/GHkj03jWk2A/s640/1000000263.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_IPGHyT92a24/TaDaBDuSEKI/AAAAAAAAGwg/B9FcgKZBrGA/s640/1000000262.jpg

Next up, I'll square everything back up, roundover the edges, and cut the box.

[T.G]

Cool. Thanks for the step by step for those of us lacking in woodcraft skills (raises hand, waves). :tu

[Bill86]

I would also hate to see the kind of box I would produce.....Somehow a cutting torch and metal would get involved. I'd have better luck. My woodworking skills stop at popsicle sticks and elmers.

Looks very nice :tu

[hscmit]

very nice work

[kelmac07]

Beautiful work!! :tu :tu

[SteveH]

Thanks guys. I gotta say though that it looks like the miters are getting more and more sloppy. Today I remeasured the Tablesaw alignment, and it still looked tight (.0015 or so). I did eventually find the culprit...Just somewhat flabbergasted as to what happened...
The throat plate is warped...By like a good 1/16th. I knew I was playing with fire not having a zero-clearance insert - but in looking at this box joints as they are now - I know what I'll be doing tomorrow:rolleyes:

[SteveH]

Ohh...before I forget; I did pick up my humidification device today. The local B&M had a pretty cool perforated tube with the sponge material inside. I quickly removed the sponge and will fill with beads. Perfect size - I'll get pics tomorrow.

[emopunker2004]

That looks great man. I'd buy one for sure. I can't build ****.

[backwoods357]

Very nice. I wish I had some wood working skills, I would love to build things like this.

[Stephen]

I would also hate to see the kind of box I would produce.....Somehow a cutting torch and metal would get involved. I'd have better luck. My woodworking skills stop at popsicle sticks and elmers.

Looks very nice :tu
You're doing better than me, I could never get past how good the glue tastes...:sh

[ArgusP2]

Fantastic work!!

[hammondc]

kickass job.

[SteveH]

Thanks again guys...Once I get this dialed back in I'll get some more pics up. Right now my Table Saw is in a couple of pieces trying to get things squared away

[jjirons69]

You might drop Ed from Waxing Moon a line to ask about sealing, etc. Who knows, he may give you some interesting pointers - seems like he has a lot of knowledge.

[SteveH]

Yep, good idea. Once I get things back up and running I'll shoot him an email to see what he has to say...