I messed up... my humi!

[drawfour]

<embarassed>

OK, I feel bad. I have a decent sized humi, and ended up getting two smaller humis w/ some sampler packs from The Devil Site. Good deals, even if the humis didn't work out.

The 40ct was a beaut. I seasoned her up right away, and was using her in a couple days. Humidity was always a bit low, though. 65% beads, but it would be at 62-63%. Started noticing it wouldn't take long before I needed to add more distilled water.

So I decided I had some sort of a seal problem. I did the light test, and nothing. It closed with a decent whoosh, so it wasn't something immediate. But I noticed a thin crack around the lid when it was closed, so I figured that was it.

I decided to doctor it up. I first thought of putting some sort of a putty around the edges where the lid closes, but thought it would look ugly. So I came up with an "ingenious" solution -- add a layer of black felt. I thought it could look "classy" if done right. So I grabbed my trusty superglue, a piece of felt, and got two of the four sides complete (the front and the right side). Decided to see how it was working.

Except now when I close it, the front part (which has felt) is still open, even a lot more than before. This is because the felt in the back is creating a "wedge", where I need to have a gradually reducing slope in order to evenly create a seal.

I don't know if that explains it, but I should have thought about this before I did it. And actually, I did, but I didn't think it would be enough to matter. So now, I have 2 of 4 sides felted, and I realize this isn't going to work right. But now I have to figure out how to get the felt and superglue off so I can try something else.

I definitely think I should try some sort of a putty that will stick well after curing but be maleable enough to create a decent seal.

So anyone have any ideas on how to remove the crap? Should I try to scrape it off with a razor blade, and then sand the rest down? Probably need the finest grain sandpaper... And what about actually getting this thing sealed up properly? What can I use?

</embarassed>

[Squink]

Just shim out the hinges a little. Take the screws out and put a layer of felt in the hinge mortise. Poke the screw holes so you can reattach the hinges, and that should do it.

Basically you just need to get more heigth at the hinges, equal to the extra bulk you just added, to counteract the wedge effect.

[raodwarior]

Good fix I'll have to remember that little trick.

[replicant_argent]

I wonder if it might be easier....
Well, it would.
Try unscrewing the hinges and putting a thin spacer under them. A thin sheet of tag-board kind of thing. That should correct your geometry problem.


Easily taken back out, not so much work.

Let me know how it goes.


^^^ wow, those guys are quick.

[taltos]

For future reference, either sailmakers wax or beeswax are a good first try on getting a better seal. Comes off easier and is less work to apply-just rub it on. Paul

[drawfour]

Great idea! I'll try that soon and let you know how it works out. Now to just say "Duh!"

As for the wax, that's a good idea too, maybe I'll try that if this felt ends up not working out quite right.

[bilder]

Good thing to remove super glue is acetone, aka nail polish remover.

Just be careful with it and let the humi air out real good before you put some sticks in it.

[Squink]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

I wonder if it might be easier....
Well, it would.
Try unscrewing the hinges and putting a thin spacer under them. A thin sheet of tag-board kind of thing. That should correct your geometry problem.


Easily taken back out, not so much work.

Let me know how it goes.


^^^ wow, those guys are quick.

Well acually, you just said to do exactly the same thing I did except you replaced the word "felt" with "tagboard" and "shim" with "spacer". You must have assumed some extra steps.

I only suggested using the felt because it would be equal in thickness to the original material that caused the problem, and would not create another problem with using a material that might cause the problem to swing the other way from being too thick.

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by Squink

Well acually, you just said to do exactly the same thing I did except you replaced the word "felt" with "tagboard" and "shim" with "spacer". You must have assumed some extra steps.

I only suggested using the felt because it would be equal in thickness to the original material that caused the problem, and would not create another problem with using a material that might cause the problem to swing the other way from being too thick.

The tagboard would keep the screws from wiggling around and loosening, I think the felt would allow it a little more freedom, and either eventually strip out the screws or loosen them.

But what the hell do I know?

[luckybandit]

Great Post and even better replies! this is why i like being part of CS. Some great people on the forum!!!!