Plywood for Spanish Cedar Veneer

[stogie_kanobie_one]

[SIZE=-1]Hello everyone, I just started my latest humidor project and wanted to see if I could quickly get some advice from you woodworkers out there. I didn't catch it in the warehouse but I bought some Luan Plywood: A cheap grade of Mahogany plywood 1/4" thick to line the interior of the cabinet I'm converting. The plywood I use will be covered with a Spanish cedar veneer.

I noticed that the Luan has a nice but noticeable smell to it.

Will this dissipate?
Will it be okay if I covered it with the SC veneer?

One piece that I had already used was the plain old underlayment type plywood and it has virtually no smell at all. So I guess the final question would be given that I'm going to use a veneer what is the "recommended" plywood/wood to use. Because I am insulating the cab the plywood/wood can be no thicker than 1/4" without having a heavy impact to the project overall.....

Thanks in advance for any advice.....
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[discdog]

After cutting and prior to finish assembly, I would let it air out for a day or two. The odor you may be smelling could be part of the manufacture's process, or it could be the wood. Either way, letting it air out a little should aleviate anything offensive.
Since this is not the finished side, you could also seal the luan. But again, let it air out before final assembly.

[Eternal Rider]

Remember when sawing Spanish Cedar or even Luan to wear a facemask. The dust will tear up your lungs and sinues for days.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Thanks for the replies. DiscDog I saw some of your other posts (searched for Luan) and it seems it is reasonable choice as you and others have said it is an alternative for lining cabinets. I will still line one side of it with Spanish Cedar Veneer. I'll give it a few more days before I decide about sealing it. I think I may even forgo this step as well. Some research on the internet turns up information about others using Luan as a liner for converted cabinets even without the Spanish Cedar veneer. So I think I will be safe. As always guys thanks for the information and help.

If anyone thinks anything to the contrary or has some experience saying otherwise please do chime in.

[moosebrew]

Just curious why not just use a spanish cedar plywood then you would not have to deal with the smell of the luan and the hassle of veneering afterwords?

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by moosebrew

Just curious why not just use a spanish cedar plywood then you would not have to deal with the smell of the luan and the hassle of veneering afterwords?

Hehehe.. I want to so badly. My tax returns were not quite THAT good. The cheapest I can find a single 4x8 sheet of 1/4" Spanish Cedar plywood for is $78. Shipping weight is 40lbs. 1 sheet shipped will run close to $200. I need 2 of them .

Now veneer on the other hand. I got more than enough to so the job for under $100.... shipped. I haven't decided yet but even if I have to keep go back and buy the standard plywood I'm out maybe $20. As nice as it would be I just can't justify the cost. Oh... also this is just temporary larger storage as I've outgrown my last cabinet mod.....

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27274

[NHsmoker]

Spanish cedar is actually a type of mahogany it is not a cedar at all. The luan is also a type of mahogany and that is the smell I think you are picking up on. The luan is often used in walk in humidors to line the walls as it is a cheaper alt. so my advice would be to go ahead and use the luan, but I would not use a sealer on it as that smell even if aired out will probably be more offensive and impart more unwanted flavor.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Another question... With the temperature starting to rise here in New England I've expedited this project. I'll post some pictures perhaps later today of the whole thing as I know us Gorillas love our pics .

I've got the whole thing cut and am waiting only on the hinges for the lid (I made it a coffin type opening instead of using the cabinet doors). All of the Luan is now covered with Spanish Cedar veneer. It looks very nice. I've had it sitting open for about 6 days now. If I close it I notice that when I open it there is still a slight smell of the contact cement used to attach the SC Veneer to the Luan.

I have also some 4 mill plastic to place between layers. Even without the plastic lining, the cabinet is holding rh at 65 or higher. Good news. It looks like I'm down to just the smell.

Is that Contact cement smell also a smell that will dissipate over time?
Any idea how long?
Any idea how to speed up the dissipation?

I ask because I'm ready to load this thing up... I have trays that are open but for now I can put everything in cigar boxes to protect them from the smell (I hope)

should I definitely wait?

Help me guys....

[xxwaldoxx]

I would definitely wait before loading it up, better safe than sorry.

What type of Contact Cement did you use, Water or Solvent Based?

The solvent based stuff is pretty harsh, I would allow extra time for that to air out before putting anything in the unit.

Edit:

This may be a very stupid question, but did you read the directions on the can?
If the veneer was applied to the contact cement before it began to tack up (dry on the surface) it could take forever for the smell to dissipate (since there could be wet contact under the veneer)

[sparkygreen]

Maybe a heat gun or hair dryer used in moderation would help cure the cement....just a thought

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by xxwaldoxx

I would definitely wait before loading it up, better safe than sorry.

What type of Contact Cement did you use, Water or Solvent Based?

The solvent based stuff is pretty harsh, I would allow extra time for that to air out before putting anything in the unit.

Edit:

This may be a very stupid question, but did you read the directions on the can?
If the veneer was applied to the contact cement before it began to tack up (dry on the surface) it could take forever for the smell to dissipate (since there could be wet contact under the veneer)

I'm safe there. The can calls for 20 minutes of dry time minimum. But I waited the minimum and then ensured that both sides were dry before applying the veneer. There should be no wet cement there at all. By both sides I mean the ply and the veneer as it gets applied to both. In short yeah I did read the directions.... I'm just testing right now for holding RH but I'm watching those temps climb in my office. I'm confident at this point that the cigar oasis will humidify it so I'll remove everything, leave it open.. and wait a bit longer. I hit 80 in the office, and my cooler hit 73 so I moved it to the basement as a stop gap measure.

I'm wondering if sitting the cabinet outdoors for the weekend would help....

[xxwaldoxx]

Originally Posted by stogie_kanobie_one

I'm safe there. The can calls for 20 minutes of dry time minimum. But I waited the minimum and then ensured that both sides were dry before applying the veneer. There should be no wet cement there at all. By both sides I mean the ply and the veneer as it gets applied to both. In short yeah I did read the directions.... I'm just testing right now for holding RH but I'm watching those temps climb in my office. I'm confident at this point that the cigar oasis will humidify it so I'll remove everything, leave it open.. and wait a bit longer. I hit 80 in the office, and my cooler hit 73 so I moved it to the basement as a stop gap measure.

I'm wondering if sitting the cabinet outdoors for the weekend would help....

I have built custom cabinets and furniture for years and it never ceased to amaze me how many people slapped stuff together with wet contact cememnt. Thats why I asked.

Rather than take it outdoors, you could seal the unit up and insert a box of baking soda for a day or so. Or spray it down with some Pure Ayre (worked great to get rid of the plastic smell in my cooler).

Sounds like you are all set once the Contact Cement smell is gone. Congrats and dont forget to light up a victory cigar when you load up the unit

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Well, here are some pictures of the whole project. It has been fun so far. The only thing remaining to do is to mount the peltier unit on the rear. I had plans of doing all kinds of fancy things but you know in the end I think simpler is better. I am going to paint it white as the grand finale but that is still a ways off I suspect.

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2827/cat/500/ppuser/3261

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2826/cat/500/ppuser/3261

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2785/cat/500/ppuser/3261

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2786/cat/500/ppuser/3261

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2831/cat/500/ppuser/3261

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2833/cat/500/ppuser/3261

http://www.clubstogie.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/2834/cat/500/ppuser/3261

These are the best pictures of the progression. An actual 3/4" lid will be placed on it but even with that and the plastic liner I'm able to maintain a 65 rh. This is all looking very positive. I've just gotta get the contact cement smell out of there now .

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by xxwaldoxx

I have built custom cabinets and furniture for years and it never ceased to amaze me how many people slapped stuff together with wet contact cememnt. Thats why I asked.

Rather than take it outdoors, you could seal the unit up and insert a box of baking soda for a day or so. Or spray it down with some Pure Ayre (worked great to get rid of the plastic smell in my cooler).

Sounds like you are all set once the Contact Cement smell is gone. Congrats and dont forget to light up a victory cigar when you load up the unit

Thanks for the information..... I just added some pictures Ah ha!!! I just happen to have an entire bottle of Pure Ayre that I bought and then never used.... I'll try the Pure Ayre tonight and see where that leaves me. Then I'll do the baking soda as well if the smells persist over night. These are absolutely excellent ideas... just what I needed, thanks a bunch.

[wij]

My opinion is that there are 3 things that will affect the rate of odor dissipation: Temperature and air movement. I believe that your idea of putting it outside is good. You might help that along with a fan.

The smell will definately dissipate and I would never put any cigars into it until all the smell is gone. On a positive note, I imagine the contact cement smell odor would annoy any tobacco beetles.