What type cedar?

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Spanish cedar is a type of mahogany. So, you could also use mahogany, which has the same permeability and properties, but it doesn't have the pleasing aroma.

Also, other types of cedar have aromas that are too pungent. Open grandma's cedar chest and you will see what I mean. Do you want all your smokes to smell like that? I didn't think so.

Finally, some have said that Spanish cedar will discourage the hatching of tobacco beetles. It is said that there is something about the aroma that is offensive to the little buggers, but I have never taken the time to ask a beetle to comment on this bit of lore.

The Doc

[grego]

You might try using some veneer from Rockler. It's about $2.80 per sq. ft. and you can glue it up to a thin plywood panel and cut to fit your hutch. All of the major humidor suppliers that get mentioned here use veneer in most of their humidors, sometimes a mix of veneer and lumber.

As already mentioned, never use aromatic cedar. That's for moths, not cigars.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by zemekone

The regular cedar is too aromatic, and your sticks will abosorb the scent the the cedar, while the Spanish is less aromatic. Both hold and give off the same amount of humidity

What he (^) said...aromatic cedar will definitely ruin your cigars...

[xrundog]

I expect aromatic cedar would make your cigars very bitter.
I've built a few humidors from scratch and refurbished a bunch of vintage humidors. Here's a few observations about Spanish Cedar based on my experience.
If you order online, most places give you odd size boards. And for a hutch, you will need some big ones. They sometimes have different prices for different thicknesses. This is BS. It doesn't take much to make a 1/2" board into a 1/4" board. For your purpose, 1/4" would be good. Milling price is usually standard. Spanish cedar isn't usually kiln dried. I think kiln drying is normally done on finished boards. The Spanish cedar I've seen is stored in thick rough cut lengths. It is finished to order. Can it be sappy? Will certain grains shred? Yes. Sap is hard to predict. Under normal conditions, you will be okay 9 times of 10. In 4 or 5 years, I've had one board that was really bad. Heat will bring out sap. So can overly high RH. Put the 2 together and I guarantee it. But on a good board, you can wipe it with denatured alcohol, sand with 150 grit, and it will be fine. You are better off to find a place locally. Even if you have to do some driving, it will be worth it to get exactly what you want. Just my .

[cosner63]

Our local Home Depot has spanish kiln dried cedar. Might check and see if there is one in your area.

[xrundog]

Originally Posted by cosner63

Our local Home Depot has spanish kiln dried cedar. Might check and see if there is one in your area.

I aint saying you are wrong, but in all the places I've lived, I have never seen any of the big home stores stock Spanish cedar. I've checked. Be VERY sure you are getting SPANISH cedar and not AMERICAN cedar. A home store guy that is not picky or knowledgeable about the difference may not understand there is one.

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by xrundog

I aint saying you are wrong, but in all the places I've lived, I have never seen any of the big home stores stock Spanish cedar. I've checked. Be VERY sure you are getting SPANISH cedar and not AMERICAN cedar. A home store guy that is not picky or knowledgeable about the difference may not understand there is one.

[Jkbd33]

My local Lowes only carries Western red cedar. Would this work, I'm looking for something to line my ammo case.

I was looking at this site and the Red elm and the Mahongy both look like the inside of my 25ct humi.

http://lumberforsale.com/R%20E%20CHR...20PICTURES.htm

They have Spanish cedar on this site, I'm having trouble finding it.

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by Jkbd33

My local Lowes only carries Western red cedar. Would this work, I'm looking for something to line my ammo case.

I was looking at this site and the Red elm and the Mahongy both look like the inside of my 25ct humi.

http://lumberforsale.com/R%20E%20CHR...20PICTURES.htm

They have Spanish cedar on this site, I'm having trouble finding it.

No. Western Red will ruin the cigars. If you absolutely cannot find an acceptable material, you're better off with nothing.

Mahogany will work. Red elm will not.

Looks ain't everything.

[xrundog]

I've bought from lumberforsale.com. Their service is good. You are going to get odd size pieces and shipping will cost as much as the wood. That's the way it is by mail.