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"...

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Chinese/1.jpg

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

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02558.jpg

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

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02563.jpg

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

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02565.jpg

Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"
 

Ta-Da! The test subject is prepared.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02566.jpg

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.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02568.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02569.jpg

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

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02570.jpg

Here's another picture of a cross sectioned piece.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02571.jpg

Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"
 

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

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02572.jpg

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.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/DSC02520.jpg

Thanks for looking....

Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"
 

This should be interesting!

:po

Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"
 

Cool idea. Not surprised though.

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.

Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"
 

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

Re: The Inside Scoop - Dissection of a "Humidor"
 

Not surprised here. Thanks for sharing Ed.

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.

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.... :tu

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