Replies

1. 
   forrestb | Jan 31, 2016 03:31pm | #1

   Finish first.

   I would finish the take-apart pieces before they are assembled.  If you finish after assembly, your finish is going to tend to stick pieces together (not so hard you can't separate though) and if a film-type finish your finish may tear when the pieces are pulled apart.  Not so pretty.

   BUT you do want to assemble all the parts that are glued before you finish them.

   The only thing to consider is the type of finish you use and the tightness of the joints.  Be sure that your design takes into account the finish thickness if using a film-type that could build up to the point of difficult to assemble. (That's a pretty far out thing to consider!)

   And consider the affect on the finish of the take-apart pieces being assembled and dis-assembled. You will get some wear marking eventually.  They will show more on dark wood or dark finish.

   Forrest

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 02, 2016 03:45pm | #2

   Do not apply finish to the mating surfaces in the joints.  That's just asking for trouble down the road.

1. 
   forrestb | Feb 04, 2016 12:56pm | #3

   Hurrah!

   Steve, you are like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day!

   Thanks for starting to post on the forum.  Maybe that will encourage some others who have left us to start posting also.

   Lots of talent out there if only FWW would more closely monitor to keep the spam down. Is it possible to record where the spammers are and block post from those sites?

   Forrest

1. 
   Bladtman | Feb 07, 2016 07:20pm | #4

   Thank you both so much, I really appreciate it!

   Steve:I always test finishes first, but thanks for making that point anyway!

   As per the advice from you two, I'll glue up the glued joints, then finish the parts individually, with some tape (and/or great care) on mating surfaces.