found this interesting thread on the jc newman cigar forum regarding "spanish cedar vs. honduran mahogany"
Bob StaebellFebruary 14, 2002, 06:36 AM
padron7,
I have found it to really be a matter of personal preference.
Most of the cabinet humidors & conversions that I have done use Honduran mahogany for the lining. It's actually a veneer on an MDF core. (be careful of luan mahogany--much of it is imported from countries that still allow use of high VOC adhesives that can have an unpleasant aroma when humidified) Spanish cedar is used for drawers, shelves, trim, etc.
The rationale for using mahogany over spanish cedar is simply that when all the cedar from the boxes is combined with the surface area of the interior (if done in cedar) one can get an overpowering cedar aroma on the loose cigars stored.
That being said, some people prefer their cigars with a strong cedar "nose", in which case cedar lining is preferred.
Visually, the two are in the same "family" & can actually be difficult to distinguish sometimes.
The best source for materials is a wood supplier from the yellow pages close to you. That is the first place I would check. Save you freight, etc & allow you to hand pick your wood.
Cheers,
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arlinFebruary 14, 2002, 08:55 AM
I mix Spanish Cedar and Mahogany in the Humidors I make. Spansih Cedar has been known to occasionally 'bleed' [ooze sap or pitch from its pores] and I avoid its use where the cigars can come into direct contact with the interior wood.For example I make the trays [or drawers] of Mahogany. Typically I make the liner of the base and the floor of the base of Spanish Cedar for its aroma [and also where it is concealed behind the trays] and the underside of the lid in Mahogany [so if there is bleed it won't be offensive to the eye].
I take as much care as ANYONE in buying quality woods and seasoning them before use, but 'bleed' in Spanish Cedar is a risk no matter!
The use of Spanish Cedar may have economic roots, that have been 'hyped' by folks seeking to profit from Humidor making. Mahogany has been used in FINE humidors for quite a while, and has FUNCTIONALLY the same properties as Spanish Cedar regarding moisture retension and useablility over prolonged periods in a moist environment.
It is much more economical to line a humidor with furniture grade veneer Mahogany rather than either Spanish Cedar Veneer or SOLID Spanish Cedar. Also lining with SOLID woods must address woods inherent 'movement'. And as Bob wrote above "a veneer on an MDF core" is quite workable, and also MUCH SIMPLER and EASY.
I have made Humidors BOTH with and without Spanish Cedar, both as tabletops and cabinets. There seems to me to be NO ABSOLUTE RULE, & as Bob also said "I have found it to really be a matter of personal preference". We are in agreement on this!
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smitttyFebruary 14, 2002, 10:05 AM
Wouldnt even begin to get into the Spansih Cedar versus any other type of wood discussion. However, if you need a resource for Spanish cedar, try Wall Lumber in Mayodan, NC. You can ask for Randall. They ship anywhere and their prices are incredibly low. If you give him measurements he will cut to size. Randall has built humidors for local stores so he is not only a good resource for the wood, he is a good resource for humidor know-how
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padron7February 14, 2002, 04:37 PM
Thanks to everyone for the great info...Rich
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patiobumApril 30, 2002, 05:05 PM
cabinet topper. <IMG SRC='/cf4/images/smiley/smiley05.gif' BORDER=0 WIDTH=15 HEIGHT=15>
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blazzerApril 30, 2002, 07
8 PM
According to the magazine "American Woodworker", Feb 2000, Spanish Cedar, Cedrela mexicana or the lesser expensive Cedrela ordorata has one advantage or Mahogany from say Honduras: The beetles which use tobacco to lay there eggs cant stand the spanish cedar but have no problems with the mahogany. This was in the Q&A section on page 10, just in case anyone wanted the reference.
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padron7May 1, 2002, 10:35 PM
I've been deployed to Korea For a while now so this project has been on hold. The cabinet was delivered about a week before I left, as you can imagine I'm ready to get home and work on it.. I'll keep you all posted. Rich
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Dave75061May 3, 2002, 10
0 AM
Bob, Arlin, what is mdf board??
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arlinMay 3, 2002, 11:04 AM
MDF= Medium Density Fiberboard a synthectic materail made from powdered [otherwise waste]products and MOSTLY glue!
In comparison to natural wood, MDF will not 'move' [expand and contract]and is a preferred medium/building material by many commerical [for profit] cabinet shops.
Bob........
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PadronNutMay 3, 2002, 11:48 AM
Hey Arlin. In Memphis, we are seeing much more African Mahogony than Honduran Mahogony. Do you know if the African has similar moisture retention properties and could be used as a replacement for Honduran Mahogony? Also, what do you think about spanish cedar's anti-tobacco beetle properties that blazzer speaks of above? Thanks.
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Bob StaebellMay 3, 2002, 06:58 PM
PadronNut,
You will find that African Mahogany is very similar to honduran mahogany in expansion characteristics as well as moisture properties. The grain is a bit more open than H.mahogany & coloration a bit darker. It does seem to have a somewhat different aroma than h.mahogany, at least when we cut & sand it, so some may not consider it quite as neutral in aroma as h.mahogany.
Arlin is correct that MDF is used where movement is undesirable. There are many different grades of MDF that all seem to fall under the name. MDF is not the same as the large flake board that is commonly used in low end production furniture.
A high quality MDF with small particle size & high strength binder is used most frequently on high end furniture ranging from humidors to very expensive tables, furniture, cabinets as a stable substrate of furniture grade veneers.
You will even find MDF on the lids of one of Arlins ebony humidors.....it seemed per my suggestion to be the only thing that would hold the ebony stable......
cheers,
Bob Staebell