1953 GE Freezer converted to "A" Humidor

[docdoty]

So about a year ago I decided to convert an old freezer or frideg to a humidor. I haden't been able to find one in good shape for a decent price until about a month ago when I purchased a 1953 GE upright freezer. This thing is huge and very heavy. I have wanted to convert one for a long time and wasn't sure how difficult it was going to be but it sounded sweet and I really wanted something unique that you can't just go and buy from somewhere.

I was going to start this thread a few weeks ago when I stripped the paint and got it ready by guting the interior but I decided to wait until I had it finished because I know how impatient you all are with pictures. Just kidding. I worked on it a little bit and then I had to get back to work so I stopped working on it until three days ago when I took off a few days from work and go the materials to finish the humidor.

The interior is lined with 1/4" spanish cedar, and the shelves are 3/4" spanish cedar. The fronts of all of the shelves are made of Purple Heart that has been oiled but not stained. I like the natural look of the wood. All of the shelves and the singles drawrs are on 100lb ball bearing full extension slide outs. I wanted to make it easier to access everything in the humidor.

The outside of the humidor is Flat black with white accent peices. I left all of the origional chrome on the freezer and I think that It turned out very good. The humidification system is one of Bob's from aristocrat humidors the "set and forget systems" I thought that It would be worth the money to buy one of his systems for this unit. So without further delay I will start to post pictures of my little project.

I guess the files are too big Im going to have to upload them to Photobucket.com and then you all can see them there. I wish that I could put them on the page but I dont know how to make them smaller so that they will fit.

Here are some photos taken from my phone since on ones from my camera are too big. I will post the link to photobucket where all the photos from start to finish are at once they finish uploading and I tag them all. I hope you guys and gals like what I have done.

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[Tone-NY]

Outstanding, congrats on the find and the conversion!

[Drez]

good work!! that looks very nice :tu

[Blak Smyth]

great choice, that is awesome!

[icehog3]

That's awesome, Justin! :tu

[pektel]

Looks great from what I can see!

Bigger pics would be awesome too :D

[issues]

Can't wait to see the full size pics, from what I can see it looks amazing! :tu

[Tyler]

Looks like a hobbit took your pictures..... Just Kidding

Looks great! I can't wait to see the closer up ones but I can tell you did a great job on it.

:banger

[DMK]

OMG !! it's SO... Empty....:r

[docdoty]

Here is the link to Photobucket where you can see some more of the photos of the project from start to finish. I will take some more later and post them.

http://s1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/

[N2 GOLD]

Very nice & just like all old things that use to be made in the U.S.A it will last you forever... :tu :tu :tu

[kaisersozei]

I've been interested in converting something like this myself. Your renovation looks great :tu Couple questions--does the humidification system also do temperature control? Did you have to mess with any of the freezer's cooling or electrical stuff? And will you need any inside air circulation for something that big?

[Volusianator]

Would love to see pics of a size that you can really see. This thing looks amazing in small pics, that style of fridge is just awesome, get us some bigger pics please!

[kgoings]

Looks great! Are you doing temperature control??

[Sherlockholms]

Nice Justin it looks great! Any chance of getting some bigger pics?

[docdoty]

Nice Justin it looks great! Any chance of getting some bigger pics?

I posted A link to Some bigger pics on Photobucket. I will Edit the origional post so that it is there as well.


http://s1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/

[Sherlockholms]

I posted A link to Some bigger pics on Photobucket. I will Edit the origional post so that it is there as well.


http://s1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/

My bad, I missed that post some how :confused:. Looking closer at it, it still looks great!

[docdoty]

Looks great! Are you doing temperature control??

No Im not doing a temperature control. I talked to Bob from aristocrat about that and he said that because of the insulation inside it was not necessary to do for the cost that it would be.

[docdoty]

I've been interested in converting something like this myself. Your renovation looks great :tu Couple questions--does the humidification system also do temperature control? Did you have to mess with any of the freezer's cooling or electrical stuff? And will you need any inside air circulation for something that big?

Thank you very much, The humidification system does not control the temp but you can get a system that will do this. I did have to mess with the electrical and cooling system before converting the freezer. I had to drain the system and remove all of the freeon that was inside the system. Air circulation is necessary for the unit because it is so big. The seal on it is amazing so it does not require that many fans. I am going to run two on top of the humidification unit. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Volusianator]

I posted A link to Some bigger pics on Photobucket. I will Edit the origional post so that it is there as well.


http://s1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/

I saw those too, awesome word dude.

[Bax]

It's beautiful! Great job!

[kgoings]

How much more would it have cost for temperature control??

[Coach Deg]

Looks awesome!!!!

[big a]

Very nice work! Can't wait to see it filled up also.

[docdoty]

How much more would it have cost for temperature control??

PM Sent,

Way too much for my budget.

[kelmac07]

Awesome!! :D

[docdoty]

Thank you all...I appreciate the positive feedback..

[AtlantaDave]

What an awesome resto-mod!

[docdoty]

Got my set and forget humidification system in today....ill post pics tomorrow of it

[enlightenedcigar]

I guess I'll swing by when I get back in to town and check it out! Y'all pictures don't do this justice, Justin you did a fantastic job brother!

[pnoon]

Here is the link to Photobucket where you can see some more of the photos of the project from start to finish. I will take some more later and post them.

http://s1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/
Nice work, Justin.

If you roll over one of the Photobucket pics, a dropdown appears. Click on the IMG code box. Paste here like this. And voila!

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor292.jpg

[docdoty]

Thanks peter...I'm not the greatest w technology

[gnukfu]

That is nice - great job!

[docdoty]

Here are some more pictures so that you do not have to go to the photobucket to view them.

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor288.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor287.jpg

[docdoty]

Before
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor179.jpg

inside before
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor180.jpg

Breakdown started
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor182.jpg

Paint removal
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor187.jpg

[docdoty]

preping for new primer and paint
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor190.jpg

Primer started
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor192.jpg

Paint on the body of the freezer
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor195.jpg

[docdoty]

Getting ready for cedar
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor238.jpg

Purple Heart for the Front of the shelves and drawers
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor240.jpg

Putting the peices back together
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor251.jpg

[docdoty]

Cedar lining is finished 1/4" thick
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor263.jpg

First three shelves are in
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor280.jpg

All on 100lb ball bearing drawer slides (full extension)
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor282.jpg

[docdoty]

Singles need space too
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor283.jpg

more singles space
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor284.jpg

Humidor is complete (prior to putting oil on the Purple heart)
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor286.jpg

Complete with 2 coats of oil on the Purple heart
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor292.jpg

[docdoty]

I thought I would make it a bit easier for everyone to see the pics of the humidor. I just started putting my sticks in there and I will try to upload some more pics of that when I take them.

The humidification system is the same as in Aristocrat humidors by Bob. I talked with him and purchased the system from him it was a great investment because it works very well.

[docdoty]

Also here is the outside finished and put back together.
http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k496/docdoty/1953%20GE%20Humidor/humidor258.jpg

Flat black

[awsmith4]

Great work Justin!!!

[NeuRon]

thats awesome!!

BTW, i remember my grandmother had that same exact fridge..

good work man, gotta love DIY!

[cosmoker]

Just picked my new project up. Man was that heavy, I have a lot of questions for you if you have some time. Like where did you get the cedar planks, trays, and drawers?

[azar]

Well I'll be that is a cool idea. I have one just like it but is currently a smoker. Nice work looks good

[azar]

Well I'll be that is a cool idea. I have one just like it but is currently a smoker. Nice work looks good