Dream humidor construction in progress- help?!

[TJarv]

Originally Posted by Robulous78

Much appreciated... yea we took every piece of red oak that Lowe's had off the shelf... sorted our way through 20 or more boards and this is the winner... I just think it needs a stain to give it a darker color to match my bar... I haven't seen many "natural grain" finished humidors... I don't know if it will go well with the rest of my stuff...

If you're looking to have it match your bar then I would stain it a similar color

Yea... well my bar is really dark... and given the moolah I spent on the wood I do want it to show some grain pattern... so I guess I am going to go with the same tone... just a bit lighter...

I like when things match, but aren't identical. I like the idea of same tone but lighter color. Can't wait to see it when its done.

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by Robulous78

That is where Darrel and I differ... he feels that all the outer hull needs is a few clear coats to accentuate the patterns of the red oak... I on the other hand feel a nice stain and some clear coats are the way to go... I have been looking at a few stains and what not... but if you have any recommendations I'd love to hear them...

I Personally Like A Strong Sheen. The More Clear Coats, The Better, IMO. The Outside Wood Will Probably Soak That Stain & Clear Coat Up, Big Time! Looking Good, Rob!

Originally Posted by longknocker

I Personally Like A Strong Sheen. The More Clear Coats, The Better, IMO. The Outside Wood Will Probably Soak That Stain & Clear Coat Up, Big Time! Looking Good, Rob!

Thanks Longknocker

It's DEFINITELY going to have a lot of clear on it... the question is to stain or not to stain...

Anyone that has experience with red oak or woodworking in general want to weigh in on this?

Thanks guys,

Rob

[maninblack]

Originally Posted by Remo_5_0

Go BIG, had my buddy build me a 200 ct. desk top, it is full along with a cooler. Here is my one off desk top

Attachment 12332

Attachment 12333

Attachment 12334

Attachment 12335

Looks empty Mike. Tsk, tsk.

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by Robulous78

Thanks Longknocker

It's DEFINITELY going to have a lot of clear on it... the question is to stain or not to stain...

Anyone that has experience with red oak or woodworking in general want to weigh in on this?

Thanks guys,

Rob

Rob: This Is My Brazilian Cherry & Ebony Humi That Ed (WaxingMoon) Built For Me Several Years Ago. I Think He Put 3 Coats Of Stain & 12 Coats Of Clear On It. The Wood Really Soaks It Up!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC_0078.jpg

Originally Posted by longknocker

Rob: This Is My Brazilian Cherry & Ebony Humi That Ed (WaxingMoon) Built For Me Several Years Ago. I Think He Put 3 Coats Of Stain & 12 Coats Of Clear On It. The Wood Really Soaks It Up!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/DSC_0078.jpg

Yea that is definitely the color tone I am going for...but just a lot (no offense) LOT more glossy... I want my humidor to double as a mirror... LoL

[iaMkcK]

Got any new updates for us, Rob?

Well I do and I don't... Darrel is still working on it and has made good headway he says but he won't let me see it... I think he is going for shock and awe and I am completely ok with it... So unfortunately no pictures but he did say he ordered the lid hardware as well as the slides for my accessory drawer... Other then that we are kind of at a stand still till I get my money together for the half inch chat inlay... My estimates are 150.00 worth of it from Rockler so it might take a minute as all good things do...

Thanks for the interest!

Rob

[iaMkcK]

Can't wait for some pics when they arrive. Looking forward to it, Rob.

GOOD NEWS!!!!!

So after 1 CRAZY, and let me emphasize CRAZY Weekend of running drunks back and forth from the hotel to the casino I have enough money to make my Spanish Cedar order from Rockler...

Placing the order Monday so Darrel will have all he needs to wrap up my box except for the finish and finishing touches...

Meanwhile I am starting to consider humidification options... I feel that with the money I have spent... Kitty Litter is definitely out of the question... So that leaves 2 options as far as I can tell... HCM Beads or Heartfelt...? Feel free to give me your opinions...

I'll be needing a whole pound either way... And I'll admit I am biased toward HCM beads because Shilala is a member here and I want to support a fellow Inmate... However, the pollster in me wanted to have some other opinions weigh in (forgive me Shilala)...

So there you have it... HCM vs. Heartfelt... Discuss...

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by Robulous78

GOOD NEWS!!!!!

So after 1 CRAZY, and let me emphasize CRAZY Weekend of running drunks back and forth from the hotel to the casino I have enough money to make my Spanish Cedar order from Rockler...

Placing the order Monday so Darrel will have all he needs to wrap up my box except for the finish and finishing touches...

Meanwhile I am starting to consider humidification options... I feel that with the money I have spent... Kitty Litter is definitely out of the question... So that leaves 2 options as far as I can tell... HCM Beads or Heartfelt...? Feel free to give me your opinions...

I'll be needing a whole pound either way... And I'll admit I am biased toward HCM beads because Shilala is a member here and I want to support a fellow Inmate... However, the pollster in me wanted to have some other opinions weigh in (forgive me Shilala)...

So there you have it... HCM vs. Heartfelt... Discuss...

I Prefer Shilala Beads, Rob. That Is What I Use Along With Some Boveda Packs. Actually: I Believe Michael (CigarNut) Has Taken Over The Business. Send Him A PM; He's A Great Guy & Also Member Here.

[jluck]

Originally Posted by longknocker

I Prefer Shilala Beads, Rob. That Is What I Use Along With Some Boveda Packs. Actually: I Believe Michael (CigarNut) Has Taken Over The Business. Send Him A PM; He's A Great Guy & Also Member Here.

X2!! HCM all the way!

[iaMkcK]

Originally Posted by Robulous78

GOOD NEWS!!!!!

So after 1 CRAZY, and let me emphasize CRAZY Weekend of running drunks back and forth from the hotel to the casino I have enough money

Haha! I know that feeling man! The night you posted this was my birthday.. I was staying at a Casino for the night.. And BAM, made up several hundred.. Enough to buy a few dozen cigars... And.. Cover the down payment on my Waxing Moon Humi. :-D

$50 hands of blackjack? Sign me up.

IT ARRIVED!!!

My Rockler order came in yesterday! $150.00 dollars later I have all the Spanish cedar needed for my humi's lining and trays...

[IMG] Untitled by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

These 3 Pieces and 14 more... 17 total... of 5in wide, 24in long, 3/8's in thick Spanish Cedar...

Between Mark's (Conch Republican) bomb and this I feel like its Christmas...

[WaxingMoon]

Originally Posted by Robulous78

Thanks Longknocker

It's DEFINITELY going to have a lot of clear on it... the question is to stain or not to stain...

Anyone that has experience with red oak or woodworking in general want to weigh in on this?

Thanks guys,

Rob

Hi Rob.... It's good to see this......

As for the Red Oak... you may want to try what is known as "fuming".... this will darken the oak significantly without using stains.... Pick up one of those totes with a lid that your box will fit in. Then, using cool whip containers or jar lids or whatever you can find.... pour some amonia in them.... put the humidor in the tote, seal the lid and leave it be for a couple days...

The amonia reacts with the tanins in the oak.... and oak is heavy in tanins - and it will darken it up, naturally.... for a gorgeous look.

The ammonia fumes will disapate.... and not present a problem.

My example below is in White Oak.... but, I'm sure red oak would do the same....

Before:



After:

I Just wanted to add... How awesome it is that Ed, (Waxing Moon) of Waxing Moon Humidors, stopped in on my thread to offer some advice... Thanks Ed...

So tonight I came into work and Darrel had a surprise for me... my first spanish cedar tray...

[IMG] Untitled by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

I am so excited... I can't wait to see the rest...

So Darrel Gave me some more pictures tonight so I thought I'd share them with everyone...

[IMG] Acc. Drawer by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

This shows the front view of my box as well as my accessory draw to hold my cutters, lighters, finger bags, and Notebook...


Side View by Robulous78, on Flickr

This shows the side of my humi, the recessed handles for the middle section and the buckles that latch the bottom and middle together...

[IMG] Inner View by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

This View shows the interior with my 3/8's Spanish Cedar lining, the lip that will overlap the section that goes ontop, the inner rest for the tray, and the groove that seats the outer hull of the humi...

[IMG] Inner View 2 by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

This shows pretty much the same as the previous but with my 3/8's thick tray in the bottom resting on the inner catch...

[IMG] Bottom Tray by Robulous78, on Flickr[/IMG]

This shows the tray removed from the bottom...

With 3/8's lining, and 3/8's thick trays, that means my sticks will be surrounded by 3/4's an inch of Spanish Cedar... I can't wait to see what that does for aging...

I AM SOOOO EXCITED.... I can't wait to see what Darrel has in mind for the finish... !!!