A good humidor is a must for every cigar lover. A humidor keeps moisture in cigars and also preserves their taste. The best cigars are quite expensive and so, it would be wise to store these in humidors especially if you want the cigars to last much longer. And like cigars, good humidors can also be expensive.
Many are willing to spend on these to ensure that their cigars last longer. However, a humidor’s design is very simple. Anyone with the right skills and tools can build one on their own. They can even personalize it to suit their personal taste.
What you’ll need
It is important to use the right kind of wood in building a humidor. The traditional wood used for the humidor’s interior is kiln dried Spanish cedar. This is the best choice because it can hold more moisture than any other type of wood. It also gives cigars an aromatic scent.
Many use a veneered finish for the exterior using a different kind of wood. Some of the more popular wood for the outside finish are mahogany, rosewood, cherry, and walnut.
You will need power tools in making a humidor. These will provide for more precise wood cuts. A humidor not only has to look good but also has to have a tight seal to keep moisture in. It would be difficult to meet these criteria without power tools.
There are a few woodworking plans for humidors, but you can design one on your own too.
Making a Wooden Cigar Humidor Box
Desktop humidors come in different sizes. Some can hold from 25-50 and some from 50-100 cigars. A humidor with dimensions 10.5″W x 8 3/4″D x 4 1/2″H for example, can hold up to 50 cigars. Check the woodworking plan for the exact measurements and materials for the project.
First, cut the front, back, and sides with a table saw. Use a planer to bring the boards to the right thickness. Cut Rabbet joints on the sides of the panels for joining the corners.
Use a jig if you prefer box or dovetail joints for the joinery. These are more secure joints. But you cannot add inlays on the outside corners if you use these types of joints. Clamp down joints after applying glue and leave to cure overnight. Use a belt sander to sand down the exterior of the box.
Next, cut a recessed bevel at the bottom of the box. This is for inserting the bottom board. Cut the bottom board then check that it fits snug to the bottom of the box. Apply glue to the sides of the board and attach it the recessed bevel at the bottom. Clamp down and leave to dry.
Next step is to build the top lid. You can add engravings and other designs to the top board if you choose to do so. Cover the exterior of the box with the wooden veneer of your choice and leave to set.
Insert a thin inner lining of Spanish cedar to all sides of the box. This inner box will give the humidor an airtight seal.
Next, install the hinges and attach the top lid. Make sure that when the lid closes there’s a slight whoosh sound. This ensures that the humidor traps an air pocket and that there is a tight seal.
Making a Humidor Cabinet
A Humidor cabinet can store boxes of cigars and desktop humidors as well. Building a humidor cabinet is like building a simple cabinet. The main difference is that the humidor cabinet’s interior consists of Spanish cedar.
You can build a tall tower or a smaller one for stacking your cigars. It is up to you to choose the right dimensions for the humidor cabinet. This project also requires power tools.
First cut the top, bottom, sides, and back boards to size using a table saw. Make sure to smoothen out all the pieces with a belt sander.
Assemble the pieces together with glue and woodscrew. Make sure that everything is square. Cover the exterior with wooden veneer for a neat finish.
Build dividers for holding the cigars. You can also add drawers made from Spanish cedar if you want to. Next is to build the door. Cut the pieces for the door frame. Cut narrow grooves in each piece for inserting a glass panel. Next, add the knob to one of the pieces. Sand-off the surfaces using a belt sander.
Fit in the glass to the side rails and finish assembling the door. Install the hinges and attach the door to the cabinet frame. Make sure that the door closes well and is airtight.
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