Forums

Crooked box lid?

Posted by Marty the random guy on February 9, 2015 at 12:08pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi guys. I have this box (picture attached) and I just noticed the lid is all bent/crooked. I don't have a clue on how that happened. Any of you encountered the same issue? In that case, what did you do? I was thinking of removing the lid, heating it (above) boiling water for a few minutes or taking it to with me to the sauna, and then the lay it on a flat floor and put weights on it. I suppose hot steam would do the trick? Any other, brighter ideas? Scrweing it to the box itself won't hold it. Thanks in advance!

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Tags: cbg, crooked, lid
Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • JL February 11, 2015 at 7:09am

    trees get pushed around by wind, grow huge boughs on one side that causes them to bend, lose a large limb that changes its balance, and other stuff that can embed internal stress that is not revealed till the wood is cut to planks and what starts out flat as a pancake can bend as it cures. sometimes the internal grain is just intent on twisting.

  • Marty the random guy February 10, 2015 at 2:14am

    Thanks for the replies. I for sure have options now. I have other boxes, so there is no rush with this one. I can try water and weights after cutting slots for the neck, which can be cut to make room for x bracing on the lid.

    As Tom mentioned, I've got nothing to lose.

    I have a few other boxes that are a little warped, but only a few mm, so I will go ahead and brace those asap.

  • Marty the random guy February 9, 2015 at 12:48pm

    Thanks Ron. I am guessing climate changes is the reason. I might try soaking it in water and applying heat. Or it could be easier to throw away the lid and make a new top (to serve as bottom). I suppose there's a risk it'll bend right back after successfully straightening it.

    • Ron "Oily" Sprague > Marty the random guy February 9, 2015 at 12:50pm
      That 's what happened to the two I tried to straighten. Over about two days - two weeks, they crept back into warped position. So I ended up cutting out new tops.
      • Marty the random guy > Ron "Oily" Sprague February 9, 2015 at 12:55pm

        I think that's the way to go. Even the box is slightly crooked now that I removed the lid. Well, at least there's room for some creativity in creating the new top.

        • Tom T > Marty the random guy February 9, 2015 at 4:38pm

          I wonder if once you cut the lid for a pass-through neck you would be able to snap the lit closed. With the large lip currently on the lid I doubt that you could get it all wet enough to warp back, but once you've removed a 1 1/2" section front and rear, the lit should be much more pliable.

          I figure that you've got nothing to lose in giving it a try. If it works, you're in business with a nice looking lid with the original paper. If not, you can still get creative in building a new lit.

          Just a thought..............

  • Ron "Oily" Sprague February 9, 2015 at 12:29pm
    Yeah, I've had a couple do this. It happens with changes in humidity, heat and cold over time, and how much water the individual wood layers absorb. I've tried steam, hot water and weights, over the course of days to a week...and achieved only temporary success. Extreme heat would possibly work, like from a heat gun,,after soaking e lid in water for 24-48 hours.
This reply was deleted.