Improving cheap humidors

Now, before I begin, I understand that Tupperdors, Coolidors and Winedors are the way to go. In fact, it's now how I store the majority of my cigars (Tupperdors, still lusting after a Winedor). BUT, I have a few cheap humidors that have sentimental value and that keep pretty decent RH (espcially with me living in FL). What I'm wondering is if anyone has tried anything to improve the seals or tried removing the felt bottoms and, I don't know, insulating them or sealing the seams from the underneath or adding extra cedar on the undersides so you don't lose space inside.

I realize the logical thing is to just make them storage for accessories but I thought I'd ask to see if anyone had ever tried tinkering with one to make it better.

You could always get some 1/4" Spanish Cedar and add a new lining. That would only cost you 1/2" in all directions so you wouldn't lose much storage space. Can you post some pics of what you have (inside corners and all) and maybe some of the guys here can come up with some good ideas.

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Originally Posted by jhedrick83

You could always get some 1/4" Spanish Cedar and add a new lining. That would only cost you 1/2" in all directions so you wouldn't lose much storage space. Can you post some pics of what you have (inside corners and all) and maybe some of the guys here can come up with some good ideas.

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I've considered that and it may be the best way to go. I thought I'd just toss it out there and see if anyone had ever messed around with shoring one up. Sure, I can post some pics but it'll be a week or so because it's stored at another house. When looking inside all the corners and seams appear tight. The main problem, I believe is that there is a lack of good sealing on the lid for this particular humi. But it's not just this one, I'm really curious about things to try with any of them in general. For instance, what about expanding insulation around the base, to fill in any gaps (remove the felt bottom and fill any dead space there)? I worry, though, about the use of any chemicals...

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Originally Posted by CoachDread

I've considered that and it may be the best way to go. I thought I'd just toss it out there and see if anyone had ever messed around with shoring one up. Sure, I can post some pics but it'll be a week or so because it's stored at another house. When looking inside all the corners and seams appear tight. The main problem, I believe is that there is a lack of good sealing on the lid for this particular humi. But it's not just this one, I'm really curious about things to try with any of them in general. For instance, what about expanding insulation around the base, to fill in any gaps (remove the felt bottom and fill any dead space there)? I worry, though, about the use of any chemicals...

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Yeah, I would avoid that if you can. Is there a good sized gap from the lid to the bottom? You might be able to use some very thin closed cell weatherstripping to help there. Only if there is a decent sized gap, otherwise the lid might not shut all the way.

There was a guy on another forum that would improve them. If I remember correctly he said the bottom was one of the biggest problems. He would remove all the cedar, put a piece of plexiglass in the bottom and seal with aquarium sealant then replace all the cedar.

@Herf N Turf is the humi guru. His advice has saved me time and cigars.

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Originally Posted by jhedrick83

Yeah, I would avoid that if you can. Is there a good sized gap from the lid to the bottom? You might be able to use some very thin closed cell weatherstripping to help there. Only if there is a decent sized gap, otherwise the lid might not shut all the way.

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No visible gap, but no whoosh when closing or vacuum when opening and a piece of paper pulls out easily when closed. Never tried the flashlight trick, though, now that I think about it.

Some have used painters tape at the top rim.

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Originally Posted by TreySC

There was a guy on another forum that would improve them. If I remember correctly he said the bottom was one of the biggest problems. He would remove all the cedar, put a piece of plexiglass in the bottom and seal with aquarium sealant then replace all the cedar.

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That's along the lines of what I was thinking. I have 3 from when I first started with the hobby and did the very typical noobie thing and bought a $30 humidor and then got even more goofy and got another one. I may try experimenting with one of those before moving on to one of the two that actually mean something to me. Thanks for the input. :)

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

Some have used painters tape at the top rim.

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Great idea! I will give this a try! Crazy if something that simple solves the lid issue. Of course I AM trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and I realize that.

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

Some have used painters tape at the top rim.

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Great idea! I will give this a try! Crazy if something that simple solves the lid issue. Of course I AM trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and I realize that.

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Originally Posted by CoachDread

Great idea! I will give this a try! Crazy if something that simple solves the lid issue. Of course I AM trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and I realize that.

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ya know sow's ears make the best pork rinds.:pipe:

Keep in mind you're not going to make a silk purse from a sow's ear so I'd keep the effort / cost at a minimum.

That being said, I've added screws to tighten up the cedar slats at the top until they just drag when you close the lid. However, this makes the slat corner gaps - which are usually pretty pathetic already - even bigger so now you need a dot of sealant at each one. The bottom can be helped by adding a slab of thin plexiglas like has been posted. You can also rip the felt off (wouldn't do this unless it looks like it's going to peel off easily) and replace it with adhesive back cork gasket material. That will seal the bottom up better than felt but probably not do quite as nice a job as the plexi on the inside. Anything more involved than that, I don't think I'd bother.

The simplest thing to do would be to toss the entire crappy humidor into a cooler or tupperdor.

I wouldn't put cedar on the outside, it would be pointless.

What about putting it inside of a cooler? Lots of folks use cigar boxes to organize their coolerador, this would just be an oversized cigar box :)