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Cigars/humidor construction

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Expert: - 8/19/2007


Question
I am a furniture maker with 34 years experience, but have never built a humidor until now.  I will be using very expensive 5A solid quilted maple 95/8" thick) for the sides and solid burl top.  The lining will be either 1/4" or 3/8" spanish cedar.  My question relates to sealing the maple walls of the box on the inside from the moisture coming through the spanish cedar interior lining.  Should I put a moisture barrier (foil / plastic) between the maple wood sides and the spanish cedar, or simply seal the inside of the maple with coats of varnish then glue on the spanish cedar to form one thick wall?  Is there a "normal" or customary procedure for protecting the cabinet walls from the cedar lining moisture?  

Thank you so very much for your help.  I stand ready to go to work just as soon as I hear from you.

Answer
Hi Richard,

Humidors typically don’t use a moisture barrier between the interior cedar and exterior wood so what you should do is just lacquer the interior side of the maple wood.  This will easily prevent any moisture damage to the maple wood.  In regards to the Spanish cedar, it’s best to not permanently glue the Spanish cedar to the maple.  Most humidors (and humidor cabinets) are designed so that the cedar panels are loose but snugly lock together.  This will allow you to easily remove the cedar panels for maintenance or repair in the future.  Any cedar or interior fixtures that needs to be fastened in place should be fastened with brass nails.

Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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