Hello from Omaha, Nebraska

[srose0822]

Howdy everyone, I just registered today and look forward to meeting like minded individuals. I have been smoking cigars for a few years and started rolling my own about a year ago. I’ll put a couple pictures up for some constructive criticism.
Thanks, Steve

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Be sure to have a look at the Index of Key Forum Threads, as well as the WholeLeafTobacco.com Wiki (both linked in the menu bar).

Looks like you're off to a good start with rolling. How do they draw?

Bob

 

[MarcL]

Welcome to Fair Trade Tobacco.
Looks good! .. I see it seems your well on your way. Effort accounts for a lot but, I'll save the constructive criticism till I can get some problem expressed from you.

 

[burge]

Welcome they do look good

 

[Mathaious12]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[GreenDragon]

Hi Steve, Welcome from Texas! There are some really excellent rollers here on the forum that can help you out as needed. First, however, ask yourself a few questions:
1) Are you having fun?
2) Do you like your cigars?
3) Do they smoke well?
If you answered yes to all three, you are doing great. The rest are just details. If you answered no to any, we can help with that too.

Cheers!
Steve

 

[srose0822]

Welcome to the forum. Be sure to have a look at the Index of Key Forum Threads, as well as the WholeLeafTobacco.com Wiki (both linked in the menu bar).

Looks like you're off to a good start with rolling. How do they draw?

Bob

Hey Bob,
I’ve been lucky so far and most draw pretty well. I’ve played with different methods for my bunch but I’ve been consistent for the most part.
Steve

 

[srose0822]

Thank you everyone for the excellent feedback. I really enjoy rolling and I’ve been fortunate to had put some decent blends together. I need more leaves so I can have some rolled before the nice weather gets here.

I could use some advice one leaf prep.
Steve

 

[MarcL]

...I could use some advice one leaf prep.

What do you mean exactly here?

 

[GreenDragon]

I generally start my prep several days before I actually want to roll. The environment here is very dry, so I take a quantity of whatever leaves I want to use and mist it down and let it sit overnight in plastic bags just to get it to where I can handle it without it cracking into pieces. (Light mist for fillers, heavy for binder and wrappers.) 2 - 2.5 gallon ziploc bags are great for this. The next day they are usually pliable enough to handle, so I will remove stems and repackage the filler in plastic bags for the next day. For Binder and Wrapper I will remove the stems and trim the edges, wet down again, and place in gallon ziploc bags to rest overnight. The third day I'm ready to roll as the wrappers / binders are now soft enough to stretch and the filler is just moist enough not to crack. Whatever wrapper / binder you don't use just pop in the refrigerator and they will stay good for about a week without molding.

 

[srose0822]

What do you mean exactly here?

I mean how do y‘all prep for rolling?

 

[srose0822]

I spent about the same amount of time prepping but didn’t have the right storage to maintain hydration. Here in Nebraska it’s dry and hot then humid as hell in the summer and even worse in the winter. I’ll try having my leaves ordered for a batch around the beginning of March.

My kids have activities and once I’m ready to roll I have to change plans and I’ve lost some good leaves but they’re my kids so they come first. I’m lucky I have a good woman that doesn’t mind me obsessing over trying to get my stuff prepped to roll.

 

[Oldfella]

Howdy everyone, I just registered today and look forward to meeting like minded individuals. I have been smoking cigars for a few years and started rolling my own about a year ago. I’ll put a couple pictures up for some constructive criticism.
Thanks, Steve

Looking good. Welcome aboard. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great advice. Enjoy your grow

 

[Alpine]

Welcome to FTT

pier

 

[MarcL]

I mean how do y‘all prep for rolling?

I like to be able to prep in a way that allows me to set it aside if need be.
I like using Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids 2.5 Gallon Containers. One for fillers, one for binders/wrappers. Reason being is having empty space for air, as well as the ability to mist the inside of the lid for ambient absorption into the leaf.
I find the extra time for absorption really pays in quality for handling/assembly.

I have three states of storage. Sealed in the bag it comes in, lower case sorted in opened bag it comes in then into a 2.5 gallon zip-lock bag and, in the containers prepped for assembly.

What I'll do when opening a new bag is, get the case in a place that enables it be handled for sorting with minimal breakage.
Sorting consists of getting folds or crinkles out, grading it according to consistency top to bottom.
After that it will get dried and put in the original bag then, in the zip-lock to sit and wait for prep for assembly.
I will revisit these bags so as they are kept well. A little more often when they first go in so as to see they are not to wet. (high case) if so, they will loose integrity. Filler, binder and wrapper get a little different prep.

When it comes time for assembly, I'll take the filler blend leaves (as much as for 50 sticks (20 oz) at a time (the most that can fit in the tub) normally for 10 to 20) and, pull the mid-rib when needed, lay them in the tub separating each type with a cigar box insert. If need be, adjust the case of the leaf. I will tend to mist the lid because I'm going in and out of the tub for each bunching. Method adjusted for the seasons.
It's about the same for binder/wrapper. difference is a higher case.

 

[Charly]

Welcome to FTT