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 Post subject: Is it better
PostPosted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:46 pm 
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to apply finish before assembly of a project or wait untill the construction is complete? I think there is lots of room for discussion here so chime in even if someone beats you to the point you wanted to make. It only takes a few minutes to post and all opinions are valid weather agreed to or not.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it better
PostPosted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 12:03 am 
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Hey Newtooth,

Yes.

By that, I mean it depends upon the project. Most of us would refinish a framed panel so that if it shrinks, there is no unfinished margin to peek out from under the frame. On the other hand, you don't want to risk contaminating a glue space, or have to adjust the fit of a finished piece. So I finish pieces as I can, to remove the risk of soiling the raw, unfinished wood while handling it, but usually it's just a sealer coat.

My 2ยข,
Tom

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 Post subject: Re: Is it better
PostPosted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:51 am 
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I don't know if it is better or not but, I usually do apply some of the finish before assembly. I tape off any glue areas, apply stain and /or a seal coat of shellac or a coat of the final finish and then assemble. I do one or more coats of the final finish after assembly.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it better
PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:11 am 
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Every time I go to finish any project with an inside corner I kick myself for not doing the finish before gluing up. Obviously I've not tried it but it would appear there are many advantages to doing so.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it better
PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:31 am 
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Mortises can be plugged and tenons can be taped. How deep does a seal coat of shellac penetrate into raw wood? If not too deep, could the tenons be left "fat" a seal coat applied and then the tenons finessed to fit. OR is that way more work than benefit derived?


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 Post subject: Re: Is it better
PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 4:06 pm 
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[quote="newtooth"]Mortises can be plugged and tenons can be taped. How deep does a seal coat of shellac penetrate into raw wood? If not too deep, could the tenons be left "fat" a seal coat applied and then the tenons finessed to fit. OR is that way more work than benefit derived?[/quote]

That is up to you but, blue masking tape isn't all that expensive and I think faster. I don't necessarily plug the mortises, I'm just careful not to get too much finish down inside them.
I think the depth of penetration of shellac depends on the kind of wood you are using. Poplar is fairly porous and a hard wood is not. The only reason for a coat of shellac is to maintain color and so the wood doesn't soak up a lot of stain in spots or final finish which is more expensive.


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 Post subject: Re: Is it better
PostPosted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 6:22 pm 
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The puzzler this time was pretty open ended. I don't think there is a perfect, correct answer. There are lots of opinions and I was hoping for more input than happened. I'd guess that everyone has a preferred method some more complex than others but if the technique you use works, go for it.
My thanks to RAPID ROGER , DENNIS S, TMS for your participation and follow up.

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