Folly's Tower - Reaching for the Moon - Humidor Build Thread

[WaxingMoon]

I have recently acquired a client that wants a humidor with rather different dimensions than what I usually build.....

I love projects like this that force me to "think inside the box"..... Man, I'm glad I never listened to those folks that told me to always think outside of the box....

At any rate.... here's what my client wanted......

A cigar humidor that is tall and opens on the front like a refrigerator..... with a stack of trays within that pull out to select his favorite stogie....... 12.5" x 12.5" x 24" tall.... Constructed from Wenge & Sapele.....

Well, my life partner, Terri.... loves to get involved and provide me with abstract ideas that she sees anywhere she sees them.... you'll know what I mean in a few short sentences....

To start things off..... I built this display case with roughly the same dimensions.... probably a little shorter than the 24..... but, generally the same.... Well, she didn't like it.... said it was too plain.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/WMWH139F1.jpg

The new project will be all wood, no glass.....

My gal said she wants it to emulate a building..... if we're going tall.... she tried very hard to describe what it was that she wanted me to do.... and I, of course, was hearing something completely different... (don't ask).... Until she found some pictures of what she was trying to say.....

So, here's the first challenge that was thrown at me..... "I want the corners to look like what they did to these buildings".....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/4636479025_f25e0fdc70_o11.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/Granite-Quoin-Corner-Stone-G603-1.jpg

Now.... me, really not thinking before I speak.... which I often do.... nodded my head and said... "no problem, baby"....

So.... that sent me thinking..... How am I going to pull this off.... Sheesh..... looks simple enough....

Ever hear of rubik's cube.... well, anyways....

Here's what I've figured out....

Using a box joint with a 3/8" box joint/dado blade.... I first have to "box joint" in 3/4" width Wenge ends to the sapele....

(Note) Pictures are not to scale, nor a rendering of the project.... but a tool I used to figure out the cuts....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/BlockSplines1.jpg

[WaxingMoon]

Then.... the front & back panels (the one on the right in the photo)..... need to have a rabbet cut.... as well as the side panels.... also shown....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/blocks2.jpg

Then.... back to the box joint jig.... and cut these...

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/blocks3.jpg

And.... with any luck.... I'll be able to get four corners to look like this all the way up....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/BlockSplines.jpg

Here's a pic of my materials..... Wish me luck and we'll see what the little lady has in mind..... At this point... I have no clue.... but, we're off & running.....

I plan on blogging this if there is interest....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/DSC02754.jpg

[Chainsaw13]

That is going to be beautiful.

[iaMkcK]

Needless to say, I hired the right man [and lady!!] for the job. I will be following my tower of bliss consistently. Thanks for the pics Ed, I'm beyond excited at this magnificent creation we've embarked upon.

[688sonarmen]

Needless to say, I hired the right man [and lady!!] for the job. I will be following my tower of bliss consistently. Thanks for the pics Ed, I'm beyond excited at this magnificent creation we've embarked upon.

That is so Rad, you are the most awesome with humidor ideas.

[Ncpsycho]

Looks cool so far

[WaxingMoon]

Off to a slow start... have about 5 humi's on the bench right now that I need to get cleared off... just staring at the Sapele & Wenge laying on the sawhorses..... I think I finalized my "attack" on the panels..... disregard the lid... that piece is just there to put a cover on the picture.... plus, I'm going to put a base molding on it...

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM06/Bldg.jpg

[iaMkcK]

No worries! Holidays are around the corner. I'm not stressing whatsoever. Slow and Steady wins the race.

[longknocker]

Great Idea, Ed!:banger:tu

[WaxingMoon]

I got the easy part done today.... measured and milled all the pieces together to build the panels...

Next step - not so easy.... but, hopefully... it'll go well...

Here's how the panels look so far... Gorgeous combination, in my opinion.....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/DSC02798.jpg

[iaMkcK]

My arousal level is high, might I add. I keep pressing refresh hoping it acts as a time machine and transports me into the future :-D

[The Poet]

Looks great. Don't think it'll hold humidity too well in its present configuration however. :D

[never_enough]

This is going to turn out great. Can't wait to watch the steps of it being built.

[WaxingMoon]

This step involved building a box joint jig first... I have a commercial jig, but... it didn't seem to have enough "heft" for what I needed today... so, I butchered up a piece of popler to make me a jig....

In setting up the jig... it is critical to make sure that the key, the space between the key and the blad and the blade all are equal.... otherwise, you'll run in to problems... so, great care must be taken to ensure that they are.... test cut and adjust, test cut and adjust was the order of business for the first 20 minutes or so.....

Measured the key.... sitting pretty at .375

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02813-Copy.jpg

Measured the space between the key and the blade.... also, sitting pretty at .375

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02814-Copy.jpg

Finally, measured the space cut by the blade.... and, yep.... it was .375

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02815-Copy.jpg

Time for some test cuts..... I have a couple of lengths of poplar that I used.

I made a "key" spacer out of a piece of scrap poplar that is also, yep... .375. This is used to properly place the side piece as the box joints alternate..... so you need to account for this. I cut two pieces at a time. A front/back piece and a side piece....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02811-Copy.jpg

Then you simply make your first cut.... and then move the work pieces over to fit snuggly on the key. And cut again, repeat until finished.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02816-Copy.jpg

[WaxingMoon]

You should end up with something like this....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02817-Copy.jpg

A few taps of the dead blow hammer..... you should get something like this....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02818-Copy.jpg

Time for the real deal....

Since my panel is 11-1/4" and the piece of wenge that I'm joining to it is only 3/4", I needed to make sure the wenge was firmly in place behind the panel, and adjusted in there with the spacer block.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02820-Copy.jpg

I used a couple of pieces of wood (not necessarily scrap) that was planed earlier to the same thickness as the wenge & sapele panel as both a spacer and a hold down for the 3/4" piece of wenge behind the sapele....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02822.jpg

All systems go!

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02821.jpg

[WaxingMoon]

A few tedious minutes later....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02823.jpg

A few more tedious minutes later.... and this was the result I was looking for.....

Phew! Four of these and I was ready to go home and watch some football....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02825.jpg

It'll be a little while before I get on to the next step... I have a few other (day to day) things to get done.... as you can imagine, this requires all of my attention.... no multi-tasking allowed here... lol

Thanks for following!

[iaMkcK]

Sweet mother of God. Flawless. I was on the edge of my seat like.. Rockets Engage, systrms check imminent.. Prepare for takeoff!

[Ciro]

That is amazing! Going to be a great looking humidor.

[WaxingMoon]

This has been a real head scratcher... but, so far, it's going as planned....

The base & the lid will tie in nicely with the bands that I put in her.....

Needs a lot of sanding...... and I'm still undecided on the base and the lid... but, I have ideas floating around...

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02857.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC02858.jpg

[Robulous78]

Looks Amazing... :tu

Beautiful Joints... I love the wood grain patterns...

[sevans105]

Holy cow. Great work Ed. That is beautiful.

[mahtofire14]

That is awesome!

[Blak Smyth]

Wow this is gonna be cool!

[iaMkcK]

What a change from the pics I saw on my cellphone to these ones. I am dying in anticipation. This is hands down the most awesome thing I've ever had created for me. I love your work Ed. Thank you again, and again, and again. I can't say it enough.

[dozer]

Can't wait to see the end result. Cool thread...

[mase]

That looks awesome!

[iaMkcK]

The idea was tossed around that this humidor have a Cigar Band lid. I myself only have a small stash of HTFs and upscale cigar bands. The lid will be able to fit a few more than the 20-30 or so I have. I've thrown out the suggestion to the Zombies, and we are in the process of gathering some bands up. Then I thought, anyone who follows this thread may be interested in throwing some in as well [And hell, I'd rather not clutter up General Discussion by begging for bands].. So if you like this Humidor and it's story, and want to contribute in the form of bands -- feel free to let me know. Now, for the record, I'm trying to keep this box top splattered with high end NCs, so no CC bands please. I know it may seem like I'm asking a lot, but honestly -- Only give what you can. Ed has bands, trust me -- I just want to give CA a chance to throw in some of their high end bands that they can part with. As far as upscale goes, things like high-end AFs like Anejos, or like LP Unicos, Tats, Illusiones -- Opulent bands that represent the high life. The only thing I can return to you is gratitude, and the chance to be a part of this project. If you can't spare any, please don't worry because that's just fine -- Your continued views/support towards this thread are enough in my heart. Thanks, CA. Thanks.

[Taki]

Looks awesome brother!! Keep the pics coming!!

[WaxingMoon]

She's coming along nicely.... cut the door away from the body.... and worked on the lid and the base....

As Jarrett said, we're going for a cigar band top... ought to stand out nicely....

The top frames are coved inward to reveal a bit of the Wenge case top.. it'll look nice when she's shined up....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03237.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03238.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03239.jpg

[iaMkcK]

Dear Lord. Dear Lord...

[Ranger_B]

The humidor I won last year that Ed made has a cigar band lid and looks amazing. I can take some pics later today and post them up if you like. This is an awesome looking project so far.

[Ubiquitous]

Ed, you're truly an artist

[WaxingMoon]

Well, she's officially a humidor.... got her lined with spanish cedar today, and the seal is excellent!!!

Got her oiled up and now, just waiting on some cigar bands from Jarrett and need to build out the drawers... but, it's all down hill from here. Also have to attach the base and the top.... but, that's not a hardship. Will get several coats of lacquer too.

Hinges are hand forged wrought iron... thought that they would look better than brass..... plus, they're pretty heavy duty....

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03256.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03260.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03263.jpg

[Robulous78]

Wow.....:O

[iaMkcK]

http://static4.fjcdn.com/comments/3986128+_0e29a0446d96d138e7f1b06aa63261cf.jpg

[TJarv]

It's looking amazing

[Robulous78]

WOW Ed... that is beautiful...

[Big Bert]

Holy cow!!!! Awesome work Ed.. I think I wet my pants, now I really can't wait to see it done....

Jarrett, I'll gladly take a trip to see this beauty in person as well as to turn some Yummy sticks to ashes...
I'll have to stalk this thread a little longer Haha

[iaMkcK]

http://static4.fjcdn.com/comments/3986128+_0e29a0446d96d138e7f1b06aa63261cf.jpg

Was supposed to be this, but apparently I hyperlinked a place that doesn't like hyperlinking. Thanks Funny junk -.-

http://dpsshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/mother-of-god-super-troopers.jpg

[Zane]

That thing is amazing!

[TJarv]

What is the capacity of the humidor supposed to be?

[WaxingMoon]

What is the capacity of the humidor supposed to be?

I figure about 450..... The dimensions are 12.75" x 12.75" x 23.5".... we had some restrictions to height & depth, hence the dims....

[hscmit]

looking good

[ksknnr]

any more updates Ed, I'm dying to see this thing finished

[Dave128]

Gorgeous so far!

[never_enough]

I want to see it finished!!! So jealous its not mine.

[WaxingMoon]

any more updates Ed, I'm dying to see this thing finished

Sorry fella's... No update as of today... waiting on cigar bands for the lid... and a few more goodies from my laser guy...

:D

[iaMkcK]

I want to see it finished!!! So jealous its not mine.


Soon to be even more jealous ;-)

The bands were Expected today according to USPS -- But with how amazing USPS has been due to the Holidays? Who knows.. :-/ Shoulda sent 'em UPS -- At least they tell you when they are delayed. USPS still says they are showing up today, lol

[WaxingMoon]

Got 'em today in the mail.

....Somethin' to do on a Minnesota blizzardy night....:tu

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/DSC03346_zpsf38c1a0b.jpg

[iaMkcK]

I almost didn't get the Undercrowns and T52s in the box. I packaged everything up, closed the box and sealed it.. And picked it up.. And seen 3 labels under the box. I was like.. "NOOOO!" Pried open the box, threw them in there, sealed it.. And it held. I was impressed.

[Big Bert]

Sweet!! Can't wait to see the finished product. I'm on the edge of my seat :D

[Stephen]

Now, for the record, I'm trying to keep this box top splattered with high end NCs, so no CC bands please.

Got 'em today in the mail.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/DSC03346_zpsf38c1a0b.jpg
Whoops.

[iaMkcK]

Whoops.

No whoops involved. The CC bands are ones that I've smoked. They represented a part of my journey, therefore I figured I should include them. :)

[MarkinAZ]

That is one beautiful box you're putting together Ed. Simply beautiful:tu

Looking forward to seeing the completed and finished humidor...

[maninblack]

Damn that thing is gorgeous!

[WaxingMoon]

I have a few coats of lacquer on her... waiting for some "doo-dads" to get here from Atlanta... won't be long now.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03406_zps5550180f.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03411_zps387a3790.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03408_zpsa2599ccc.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03412_zpsf113c0f9.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03414_zps1fe77267.jpg

[iaMkcK]

Yey, shouldn't be long now :-)

[WaxingMoon]

The drawers say... "ZOMBIES" going down the center.... thanks to my good friend Jerry Hewett for his laser works...

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03459_zpsd6083684.jpg

Close up of one of the drawers.... love the skulls! Nice touch.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03458_zps0943f506.jpg

[MarkinAZ]

^^^Outstanding Work:tu

[WaxingMoon]

Pretty much done! Might take a coat or two more of lacquer.... and I'm waiting for a latch to arrive via USPS, or UPS... or however they sent it....

Special thanks to my gal, Terri, aka Folly Rocks for all of her design ideas.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03450_zps062752d6.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03452_zpse6b7d914.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03453_zps37d40be0.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03456_zps312c7798.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/evsallee/Folly%20Rocks/FRWM07/DSC03457_zps1c0c765b.jpg

[Rob_M]

Wow, That's Awesome!!!!!!!!!

[Big Bert]

Real beautiful work :tu

[kelmac07]

Killer work as usual Ed (no pun intended :r :r).

[363]

Insane!

[Zane]

The drawers are a nice touch!

[Ranger_B]

Amazing. Looks great.

[iaMkcK]

I gotta give it to Ed for the Zombies suggestion. At first I had no idea what the heck he was talking about, but after it started to make since.. I couldn't pass. I gotta say, it looks damn marvelous. Any day now, I will have this beauty getting seasoned. I can't wait... Best purchase I've made all year! :D

[longknocker]

I gotta give it to Ed for the Zombies suggestion. At first I had no idea what the heck he was talking about, but after it started to make since.. I couldn't pass. I gotta say, it looks damn marvelous. Any day now, I will have this beauty getting seasoned. I can't wait... Best purchase I've made all year! :D

Beautiful, Awesome Humi, Ed!:D:tu You Will Definitely Enjoy This Beauty, Jarrett! Congrats!:banger

[Big Bert]

Congrats jarret she turned out beautiful

[zappaFREAK]

Another beautiful humi! Congrats!!

[ksknnr]

I gotta give it to Ed for the Zombies suggestion. At first I had no idea what the heck he was talking about, but after it started to make since.. I couldn't pass. I gotta say, it looks damn marvelous. Any day now, I will have this beauty getting seasoned. I can't wait... Best purchase I've made all year! :D

Any pics of this thing full yet Jarrett?:po

[Brlesq]

That is awesome. The drawers are reallygreat, too. :banger

[WaxingMoon]

Any pics of this thing full yet Jarrett?:po

He can't yet.... still waiting for the black nickle latch that I ordered for it.... Holidays really messed up shipping.... Hope to get it today or at least over the weekend.....

Didn't want to just throw a "Home Depot" latch on 'er....

[ksknnr]

He can't yet.... still waiting for the black nickle latch that I ordered for it.... Holidays really messed up shipping.... Hope to get it today or at least over the weekend.....

Didn't want to just throw a "Home Depot" latch on 'er....

From seeing your work Ed, I would definitly not expect a cheap home depot latch. Can't wait to see it.


If I'm this exited to see it, I can imagine how jarrett feels.

[irratebass]

OMG! I had to go back a page to see the updated pics......wow the Zombies is a really nice touch, you sure this will only hold 450 sticks?????

I too am jealous

[never_enough]

This thing is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[Robulous78]

INCREDIBLE!!!! I just backed up a page to see the ZOMBIES work....


INCREDIBLE!!!!

[iaMkcK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=983wf5Ty57o

[WaxingMoon]

Sweet!

[Fordman4ever]

That thing turned out amazing.

[Big Bert]

Lol love the background music Haha

[iaMkcK]

Had to use my phone to play it.. If I just put it straight into the video, it woulda copyrighted it and blocked the video. So yeah.. :D

[Robulous78]

HAHAHA... that video is great... :tu

[Zane]

Now you can fill that beast up!

After a proper seasoning of course.

[Sadden]

Gorgeous Humi Jarrett

[longknocker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=983wf5Ty57o

Love The Video, Brother!:banger Shows Us The Pics When It's Filled!:D:tu

[iaMkcK]

Bringing the Humidity down to 65% now. Once we reach that, this beautiful piece of artwork will begin to be filled with maybe a 100 sticks. I gotta get to work ;)

[Follyrocks]

Hi Jarrett,

just curious if you have put Folly's Tower in the cooler!

Follyrocks AKA Terri