The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"

WaxingMoon · 10-06-2012, 03:28 PM

I have an interested party that wanted me to do a "cut away" analysis of a typical humidor available on a popular e-commerce website.

The interested party purchased this humidor, Cuban Crafters Exotica Ebony/Cigar Humidor 125 count, handed it over to me and said, "Have at it"....

First thing I noticed was the sticker placed on the bottom of the "humidor"...

My first impression was.... "shiny" almost to a plastic effect.

The next thing to come to mind was.... Hmmmm, which one of my tools will get the job. I chose the bandsaw.

I was surprised at the ease that my saw went through this humidor. I have a harder time just resawing spanish cedar.

WaxingMoon · 10-06-2012, 03:29 PM

Ta-Da! The test subject is prepared.

I had suspected a spanish cedar veneer of about 1/32".... boy, was I surprised. It didn't even have that. I would compare what is being touted as spanish cedar to nothing more than a wall paper type material. So thin, that it didn't even register on my "Incra" measuring tool.

None of the panels were sealed with anything such as silicone. The panels basically just sat in a groove.

Here's another picture of a cross sectioned piece.

WaxingMoon · 10-06-2012, 03:30 PM

Doesn't appear to have a lot of glue on the corner joint...

All in all, I guess you get what you pay for. I wouldn't expect this humidor to hold humidity as one would hope that it would. Spanish cedar is the nuts and bolts of a humidor. The seasoning process should take about a week in a properly lined humidor. However, one like this, I would say would be a waste of time to even attempt to season.

Oh, and take a look at the "plywood" bottom tray that came with it.... I will say that the tray sides and the small pieces to effect the "seal" were in fact 1/4" spanish cedar.

Thanks for looking....

EricF · 10-06-2012, 03:31 PM

This should be interesting!

hammondc · 10-06-2012, 03:40 PM

Cool idea. Not surprised though.

sevans105 · 10-06-2012, 03:49 PM

Yikes! I know I had to Re-seal the tower humidor I got. Front looked great, but back panel was MDF and simply stapled on. Thanks for the dissection and fantastic work on the Humidors you make. They truly are pieces of art.

Ogre · 10-06-2012, 03:50 PM

Like you said, "You get what you pay for".

kelmac07 · 10-06-2012, 03:54 PM

Not surprised here. Thanks for sharing Ed.

mahtofire14 · 10-06-2012, 05:07 PM

What a great idea! Do you think you'll do others? Would be cool to find out the differences between the price ranges.

10-06-2012, 05:10 PM

This is exactly why I am having my humidor custom built... With half inch Spanish cedar inlay, it should trump most readily purchasable humidors on the market....

Very interesting thread idea... Thanks for posting it...

10-06-2012, 03:28 PM	#1
WaxingMoon Humidor Builder Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Ed Location: Albert Lea, MN Posts: 658 Trading: (3)	The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" I have an interested party that wanted me to do a "cut away" analysis of a typical humidor available on a popular e-commerce website. The interested party purchased this humidor, Cuban Crafters Exotica Ebony/Cigar Humidor 125 count, handed it over to me and said, "Have at it".... First thing I noticed was the sticker placed on the bottom of the "humidor"... My first impression was.... "shiny" almost to a plastic effect. The next thing to come to mind was.... Hmmmm, which one of my tools will get the job. I chose the bandsaw. I was surprised at the ease that my saw went through this humidor. I have a harder time just resawing spanish cedar. __________________ This correspondence has killed no trees, however, several electrons have been disturbed! Last edited by WaxingMoon; 10-06-2012 at 03:42 PM.

10-06-2012, 03:29 PM	#2
WaxingMoon Humidor Builder Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Ed Location: Albert Lea, MN Posts: 658 Trading: (3)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" Ta-Da! The test subject is prepared. I had suspected a spanish cedar veneer of about 1/32".... boy, was I surprised. It didn't even have that. I would compare what is being touted as spanish cedar to nothing more than a wall paper type material. So thin, that it didn't even register on my "Incra" measuring tool. None of the panels were sealed with anything such as silicone. The panels basically just sat in a groove. Here's another picture of a cross sectioned piece. __________________ This correspondence has killed no trees, however, several electrons have been disturbed! Last edited by WaxingMoon; 10-06-2012 at 03:43 PM.

10-06-2012, 03:30 PM	#3
WaxingMoon Humidor Builder Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Ed Location: Albert Lea, MN Posts: 658 Trading: (3)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" Doesn't appear to have a lot of glue on the corner joint... All in all, I guess you get what you pay for. I wouldn't expect this humidor to hold humidity as one would hope that it would. Spanish cedar is the nuts and bolts of a humidor. The seasoning process should take about a week in a properly lined humidor. However, one like this, I would say would be a waste of time to even attempt to season. Oh, and take a look at the "plywood" bottom tray that came with it.... I will say that the tray sides and the small pieces to effect the "seal" were in fact 1/4" spanish cedar. Thanks for looking.... __________________ This correspondence has killed no trees, however, several electrons have been disturbed! Last edited by WaxingMoon; 10-06-2012 at 03:43 PM.

10-06-2012, 03:31 PM	#4
EricF Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Eric Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,003 Trading: (116)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" This should be interesting! __________________ It might taste crummy, but at least it's huge.

10-06-2012, 03:40 PM	#5
hammondc Moar Padrons! Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Chip Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,625 Trading: (17)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" Cool idea. Not surprised though.

10-06-2012, 03:49 PM	#6
sevans105 Alpha Zombie Wolf "Sceve" Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Scott Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 1,786 Trading: (30)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" Yikes! I know I had to Re-seal the tower humidor I got. Front looked great, but back panel was MDF and simply stapled on. Thanks for the dissection and fantastic work on the Humidors you make. They truly are pieces of art. __________________

10-06-2012, 03:50 PM	#7
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" Like you said, "You get what you pay for". __________________

10-06-2012, 03:54 PM	#8
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" Not surprised here. Thanks for sharing Ed. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-06-2012, 05:07 PM	#9
mahtofire14 Chillin in the Aging Room Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: Pete Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,588 Trading: (16)	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" What a great idea! Do you think you'll do others? Would be cool to find out the differences between the price ranges. __________________ Saving basements in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

10-06-2012, 05:10 PM	#10
Robulous78 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor" This is exactly why I am having my humidor custom built... With half inch Spanish cedar inlay, it should trump most readily purchasable humidors on the market.... Very interesting thread idea... Thanks for posting it...