Cheap, easy to make humidifier

[erick]

If you can find an old 35 mm plastic film canister, you can make a pretty decent case humidifier, especially if you have a rectangular case. All I did was take a penknife to gouge out a 1" cylindrical hole in the styrofoam interior, drill a few holes in the canister lid and added a moist sponge and voila! Make the hole just slightly smaller than the canister diameter and it won't move at all. (There's very little danger of this anyway, because when the top is closed, the lid keeps the canister from moving around the case)

Here's a photo. Enjoy!
Eric Kilburn

[Susan H.]

I have kind of done the same thing with an old pill bottle and a small piece of sponge. Drill small holes in it and it fits under the headstock very snuggly. But, I like your idea better erick. Thanks for sharing.

[Chief]

I've done the same with a small Tupperware type thingee.

[Bernie Daniel]

I've found that for small intruments the clear polycarbonate pill jars (sold a WalMart's or Meier's in the pharmaceuticals travel section next to the small toothpastes and shampoos) works very well.

For the larger instruments (guitar/mandocello) I use a travel soap container. Both are stuffed with a sponge treated to with a mold inhibitor. Seems to do the job -- knock on wood!

[MikeEdgerton]

If you can't find a 35mm tape canister (a relic these days) see if you know anyone with diabetes. Most diabetes test strips come in very heavy plastic container that is about the same size.

[Lee Callicutt]

Slice of an apple, or potato, if you're truly frugal.

[Ole Joe Clark]

In my guitar case and under the headstock I have a zip lock sandwich bag with holes punched in one side, and a sponge that I wet and squeeze until it doesn't drip. The side of the bag with the holes is up in the case. Ugly, but works like a charm.

[gregjones]

In my guitar case and under the headstock I have a zip lock sandwich bag with holes punched in one side.

The good ol' Bryan Kimsey method:

http://www.bryankimsey.com/humdifier/index.htm

I don't wet the whole sponge, just a corner will do. The water will soak through to the rest of the sponge and not be too wet.

I use the 3M brand sponge with the anti-bactorial stuff in it. I've never had a problem with mold.

It fits well under the neck, above the gizmo compartment, with enough squish that it doesn't move around.

[pops1]

I choose to humidify the house, your house and furniture will thank you as much as your instrument. A humidifier is cheap to run and will even keep you your own self more healthy. And cost about the same as a couple of Blue Chip picks. Your instrument is like that sponge, it will absorb moisture quickly, but take much longer to dry out. Unless you go some where in the winter for a couple of weeks the case humidifier is not necessary. Been doing this for 30+ yrs and haven't had a crack yet.

[stringduster]

Improving on the idea, I went to a hardware store and bought Soil Moist Granules. When dry they look like large grains of salt or maybe sugar. but when they are moistened with water they absorb the water, swell up and retain that moisture for quite some time.
They are meant to do the same thing for plants but work just great in my case.

[mculliton123]

Improving on the idea, I went to a hardware store and bought Soil Moist Granules. When dry they look like large grains of salt or maybe sugar. but when they are moistened with water they absorb the water, swell up and retain that moisture for quite some time.
They are meant to do the same thing for plants but work just great in my case.

They also make a similar product for cigar humidors. releases the moisture gradually and won't drip. refill with distilled H2O to prevent salt build-up, works great.
Michael

[Andrew B. Carlson]

(double post. woops)

[Andrew B. Carlson]

If you can't find a 35mm tape canister (a relic these days) see if you know anyone with diabetes. Most diabetes test strips come in very heavy plastic container that is about the same size.

Just made one of these with my wife's old test strip bottle. Better than a film canister. Much stronger and the lid is attached to the bottle.

[Elliot Luber]

I've been using a sponge in a soap box for years, but this year I'm using those Herco humidifiers. What do you use as a mold inhibitor, I tend to go through a lot of sponges, even when I start with distilled water.

[Elliot Luber]

Might try this too: "3M brand sponge with the anti-bactorial stuff in it." Thanks.