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Humidor - Need Some Advice

MAS_Puros

MAS_Puros

Me as a wee one with my bottle of Abyss
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
1,485
Hey guys ... well I just wanted to see if anyone on here could point me in the right direction or help me with my new desktop. My wifes grandfather gifted me a 45 yr old humidor desktop, it was his fathers. It was an awesome gift and I wanted to restore this nice piece. I am not great with wood work so any of you carpenters please feel free to chime in to help me on this project. Also the seal is pretty bad, is there something I can do to fix this?

Here are pics:
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&image=9695
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&image=9696
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&image=9697


I've started sanding it down, removing the yellow stain on it. I want to clean it up as much as I can, restain it, re-varnish it. Not sure what materials to use or not to use. I was also thinking of getting a black and white picture of my wifes grandfather and his dad and varnishing it onto the top, as a kind of rememberance. Please any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mike
 
Stop the sanding unless ou have really gotten into it. By sanding, you are going to bare wood and taking away the patina ( the natural aging character of the wood ). Where are you in the project right now? I will then make some additional comments.
 
I've removed the varnish from the lid. Using 150 sand paper and finished with 320 grit. It looks beautiful...the lines, some spots almost metallic looking and shiny. I haven't done any thing else to it.
 
Well, with the lid down to bare wood, you might as well finish the job. Staining has many options, water based, oil based, Danish etc. since you want to put a photo on top I would consider several coats of hand rubber lacquer. Lots of brothers have done the same with cigar bands for a top, you might consider a few of them to accompany the photo. Do you know what kind of wood you are working with? Does matching your furniture matter? Does the wood have a certain character in it you would like to highlite? Just things to consider.
 
I think its walnut, adding bands is a great idea. I don't care about matching anything...I want it to have it's own character. I like the fact that it has some shiny, metallic highlights. I would looked to do something extraordinary to it. What is Danish?

Also is there a way to fix the seal. The Spanish cedar looks good but was reading I could put a bead of clear chalking...not sure if that would ruin the flavor of the cigars.
 
Danish is called Danish Oil Finish and is usually applied by itself and left to mature naturally, as the wood gains patina. I have never applied lacquer over the top of it, but I should think you could, for the top only. You might consider leaving the sides just in the Danish finish and you would have two different characters for the box ( I sort of let the wood be my guide ). If you are not into feeling anything about the wood, probably an oil stain and lacquer makes it a one step process and easier. Can you take the top off easily? If so this gives you freedom to do the multi lacquer process without the chance of messing up the remainder of the box.

One final suggestion if you really want to get into this, for the top only. Using a steam iron, come within an inch of the top with the steam coming out and go over the top area using several passes. What this does is raise the minute fibers of the wood, which you then remove using 600 grit paper ( with the grain and lite pressure). Follow that by washing the dust off with denatured alcohol and allow sufficient time to dry. This will give you the best surface possible and possibily unveil additional character, if any.

Added content.
 
Thanks I appreciate all your help with this... I've decided to go with Danish Oil (natural). SO I bought the denatured alcohol and 600 grit papaer...I plan on your advice on steaming the grain and then wiping it down before i apply the oil. I will take pictures of my progress
 
OK guys I have finished ...wOoT WoOt!

Here is the finished product ...

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9790-sanded-humidor-1
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9791-sanded-humidor-2
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9792-sanded-humidor-3
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9793-danish-oil-1
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9794-danish-oil-2

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9795-lacquer-1
http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/gallery/image/9796-lacquer-2

Here is the story behind the picture and my wife's great grandfathers humidor and I am honoring him (in the middle) with this picture:
TSgt Harold Penoyer, radio operator on the Devane crew of B-17, tail number 42-29486.
The picture was taken in 1943 before the crew departed for North Africa.
The plane and crew were shot down on July 5, 1943 during a raid over Gerbini, Sicily.
Five of the crew were killed. The other five became POWs.

[background=rgb(237, 239, 244)]Thank you all for your help and advice[/background]​



[background=rgb(237, 239, 244)] :)[/background]​

[background=rgb(237, 239, 244)] :thumbs:[/background]​

[background=rgb(237, 239, 244)] :thumbs:[/background]​
 
very very nice. You'll smile every time you reach for a smoke.
 
Beautiful job...especially when considering that you had not done anything like it before.
 
Wow... very nice work. It looks like the finish came out perfect on that . Good job.

MAS_Puros said:
Five of the crew were killed. The other five became POWs.
Click to expand...

Is the 10th crew member taking the picture? It only looks like 9 in the photo.
 
Incredible work you've done there. I think you've created a fantastic tribute piece.
 
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