Coolidor Project

benhanks

I bought this cooler last year and I have been planing to redo it for a while. I finally got some time today and I was pleased with the outcome! This is a vintage Coleman upright cooler with matte black and "stainless" contact paper and a few stickers.
Before...


After...

rsherman24

Very cool.

benhanks

rsherman24:

Very cool.

Thanks Sherm!

SM0K3Y

That looks awesome!

Puff_Dougie

Dude! That is totally cool! Nice job! Can we see the inside?

Chemnitz

Awesome! That looks a million dollars! Good work.

benhanks

Puff_Dougie:

Dude! That is totally cool! Nice job! Can we see the inside?

You are welcome to see the inside but I don't have my trays built yet!

Darktower007

Nice!

Puff_Dougie

benhanks:

Puff_Dougie:

Dude! That is totally cool! Nice job! Can we see the inside?

You are welcome to see the inside but I don't have my trays built yet!

Sweet!

benhanks

Thanks, I'm going to make Spanish cedar trays for it but haven't had the time yet. It has lots of room and once I get the trays done it will be even better!

Bob Luken

That's purdy! Never saw one of those coolers. Is it antique?

benhanks

Bob Luken:

That's purdy! Never saw one of those coolers. Is it antique?

Hey "Bob", the best I can tell it is from the sixties or seventies. If you Google "vintage upright Coleman convertible cooler" you should be able to see some.

jlmarta

You did a nice job on yours, Ben. I bought mine new back in the 70's and drug it out of storage to use for a coolidor without doing anything to it.





I've made different shelves since these photos but I'm still using it regularly.

edelrionyc

I can't believe how amazing this looks...

kingjk729

Nice job Ben, I too have the same cooler..... Never soured it up outside like yours but then again it's at my buddy's house in his basement with a couple hundred sticks in it...... I have tow wine fridges here at my place. I was going to make trays then getting ahold of spanish cedar at decent price steered me away. If you search cedar trays on Amazon the large style tray for about 12-15 bucks is decent.... I stapled small wood pieces to the sides of the tray and they work perfectly to slide on the rails in the cooler. I'll see if I can drum up an old pic and add it in here ......

jlmarta

I considered making trays of Spanish cedar but then asked myself "Why"? The inside of the cooler is all plastic. It won't hold moisture or harbor any odors. I ended up making trays of wire mesh for air circulation and painting them. The painting was a bit of a mistake because I had to let them air out for a couple weeks to eliminate the paint smell but I couldn't deal with the look of plain galvanized wire mesh. The white paint gives everything a fresh, clean look IMO.

The photos of my coolidor are old - before I made the shelves.

jd50ae

I want to convert a bedroom desk to a humidor so bad....but my skilled idiot step son is in re-hab. I do have a hammer, but other then knocking heads I am not real sure how to use it.

I will be forever jealous of you guys with the know how and ability. Great looking project.

avengethis

jlmarta:

I considered making trays of Spanish cedar but then asked myself "Why"? The inside of the cooler is all plastic. It won't hold moisture or harbor any odors. I ended up making trays of wire mesh for air circulation and painting them. The painting was a bit of a mistake because I had to let them air out for a couple weeks to eliminate the paint smell but I couldn't deal with the look of plain galvanized wire mesh. The white paint gives everything a fresh, clean look IMO.

The photos of my coolidor are old - before I made the shelves.

While I agree it might not be beneficial...to me the cedar gives it the more authentic feel of a humidor. That's part of the reason I am having an issue ditching my cedar trays in the cooler. It just gives it the humidor feel.

jlmarta

avengethis:

jlmarta:

I considered making trays of Spanish cedar but then asked myself "Why"? The inside of the cooler is all plastic. It won't hold moisture or harbor any odors. I ended up making trays of wire mesh for air circulation and painting them. The painting was a bit of a mistake because I had to let them air out for a couple weeks to eliminate the paint smell but I couldn't deal with the look of plain galvanized wire mesh. The white paint gives everything a fresh, clean look IMO.

The photos of my coolidor are old - before I made the shelves.

While I agree it might not be beneficial...to me the cedar gives it the more authentic feel of a humidor. That's part of the reason I am having an issue ditching my cedar trays in the cooler. It just gives it the humidor feel.

In that case, I'd say go for it. It'll definitely make it look better.

jd50ae

jlmarta:

avengethis:

jlmarta:

I considered making trays of Spanish cedar but then asked myself "Why"? The inside of the cooler is all plastic. It won't hold moisture or harbor any odors. I ended up making trays of wire mesh for air circulation and painting them. The painting was a bit of a mistake because I had to let them air out for a couple weeks to eliminate the paint smell but I couldn't deal with the look of plain galvanized wire mesh. The white paint gives everything a fresh, clean look IMO.

The photos of my coolidor are old - before I made the shelves.

While I agree it might not be beneficial...to me the cedar gives it the more authentic feel of a humidor. That's part of the reason I am having an issue ditching my cedar trays in the cooler. It just gives it the humidor feel.

In that case, I'd say go for it. It'll definitely make it look better.

+1

I have a hard time imagining a humidor without the cedar.

benhanks

Thanks for all of the kind words. I too want the Spanish cedar for the "authenticity" of the matter. I think it will be a fun project and I will be able to store things more efficiently if I lay it out properly. I enjoy woodworking. The last project I did was for my wife. I made her a book holder for a set of first edition Chronicles of Narnia books that she has. I made the case and had an artist friend of mine make the casting for the front and the top...

90+ Irishman

That's awesome Ben great job and the book holders are gorgeous man!!

matkn293

Pretty sweet all the way around!!! Coolers to the book holders.

Puff_Dougie

benhanks:

Thanks for all of the kind words. I too want the Spanish cedar for the "authenticity" of the matter. I think it will be a fun project and I will be able to store things more efficiently if I lay it out properly. I enjoy woodworking. The last project I did was for my wife. I made her a book holder for a set of first edition Chronicles of Narnia books that she has. I made the case and had an artist friend of mine make the casting for the front and the top...

Totally awesome! That casting of Aslan is stunning!

Chemnitz

That is amazing! I'm having trouble getting a size perspective though. Is that a book end or a small book case? Beautiful work!

Bigshizza

Well done Ben it's nice to get projects done!

youngryan216

Nailed it!

benhanks

Chemnitz:

That is amazing! I'm having trouble getting a size perspective though. Is that a book end or a small book case? Beautiful work!

It is actually a case. The sword is actually a handle to lift the top. We just moves and I can't find the books but you'll get the idea from the picture below. Also the castings are from Douwe Blumberg. You should Google his name. He has done some really awesome work!!