Humidor Journal


HunterL

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Credit for design and most methodology goes to our illustrious Marc over in the Guild as this is a Guild project. I'm already well into this project so I will post some backdated pictures/comments and then try to keep up as I go.

 

I sourced my Walnut Burl veneer from my hardwood supplier and friend down in Bonifay, FL (Pandhandle). He treats us (military guys from nearby) way too well, to the point where I have to pay him more than he asks for often times. If you're ever in the area, he is a custom furniture maker who also sells wood and/or mills, it's called Triple D Woodshop.

 

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I figured this was a great time to try out Bell Forrest, so that's where I got the Spanish Cedar, MDF, and maple trim. It came quickly and slightly oversized, so no complaints from me!

 

This was my first time veneering, so I'm really thankful for the Guild and all the support I've gotten here in other posts. I did buy a vacuum pump I found for a good price, but until I complete that system, I went the low tech route.

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After milling my Spanish Cedar down to final thickness and about an inch oversized, I moved on to cutting the veneer to fit the oversized pieces. I was surprised at how quickly it became time to figure out the pieces in my veneer sandwich and press the veneer. I covered the inner platens with cork where they would contact veneer, and wrapped them in plastic.

 

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I learned during this experience that it's very important not to apply too much glue, or too thick a film at least. I had some squeeze through, but I've got my fingers crossed that I was able to fix the issues. :wacko:

 

Once my two lengths of Spanish Cedar were veneered (sides and front/back of box), I started cutting the joinery and the grooves for accent trim. I used a borrowed Freud 508 Dado set for this process and I was so impressed with the quality of cut I was getting vs the old Freud set I had before.

 

 

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After cutting the joinery, i pressed the top and bottom pieces of MDF, they came out nicely!

 

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Next came installing the maple accent trim in the grooves. I cut the strips on the table saw after having to go to Woodcraft and grab the 1/8" leg for the grripper. Why didn't I use the bandsaw? Because I'm a Space Cadet and thought of it on the way home from Woodcraft. 

 

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The trim was fairly proud of the surface, so I used a jack plane/block plane, no 80 cabinet scraper, and finally 180 grit sanding block until it was flush with the veneer.

 

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At this point, the next step is to cut the pieces to final length and cut the side rabbets. I am really enjoying this project!

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Once the trim was flush, I cut the parts to final length. After a miscut resulting in a shorter length box, I had my first dry fit.

 

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It came together nicely, so it was on to the glue up! I had some issues with the rabbets on the bottom panel, but with some help from WTO, it closed up nicely.

 

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After the glue was dry, I glued the top in and walla! A box with no lid!

 

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I cut the rabbets (is that right?) in the top and bottom to receive the maple to protect the veneer. I had some tearout issues on the table saw but they will be taken care of when I cut the vertical corner pieces. 

 

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I cut the maple pieces on the table saw and used a block plane to remove the saw marks before installing them on the box top and bottom. SO MUCH BLUE TAPE!

 

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Now that all the tape is off, I am wishing I wouldn't have cut the maple so oversized! It is a labor of love flushing up all of this trim. I don't have much time behind a card scraper, but I'm learning as I go and getting lots of great practice! It's challenging not to gouge the veneer while scraping, and especially getting some small strips of tape stuck between the veneer and maple.

 

While scraping, I tore a small piece of veneer off of a corner, but it didn't fully disconnect. Unfortunately, it was slightly larger than being able to fix it with the corner vertical trim, so some CA glue and clamping occurred and it looks like it will be a non event. I almost had a heart attack!

 

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Thanks for the kind words so far everyone. After a long day of gluing and scraping, I was left with a box just needing vertical corners. 

 

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I cut the vertical corners and cut the maple to fit with some overhang. I glued and taped the corner trim on, being sure not to leave myself as much work scraping it flush. Tomorrow I will flush the corners, give it a light sanding and saw the lid off. Y'all are awesome!

 

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Sure I'll have to do that sometime! I don't remember which issue but I think the design is from FWW or the like.

I've been telling myself this whole time that I'm gonna have to be patient for this finish process! I am aware of my finishing shortcomings and I've resolved to do this project justice. Patience is king!

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Hey guys, so I'm about to go out and cut the top off of this bad boy. One thing I'm considering is some tear out on the bottom of the box, see picture.

This seems like a situation where I could use some type of feet for the box to hide those areas. Any cool design ideas? Wooden, brass? I want them to be low profile whatever they are. Also to consider is when they would be installed. Thanks!

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