First time tongue & dado drawers...

[Michael Dunn]

Hey guys,

I'm in the shop now making my first set of tongue & dado drawers. I am using 1/2" Birch ply with a 1/4" Birch ply bottom. I will use false MDF faces that will be primed & painted.

My ? is... Should I apply the finish prior to cutting my tongue's & dado's? Or should I cut, glue up and then finish? I know that I should at least sand prior to cutting. I am leaning towards finishing then joinery, glue up, etc...

What do you guys typically do?

Thanx,

shotgunn

[Prashun Patel]

I would cut, then finish, then assemble and glue. Dado's are easy to finish around without getting stuff in the joint (which compromises 'glueability').

I wouldn't finish prior to cutting. You'll mark up and scratch yr finish.

[Michael Dunn]

Cool, I started finishing it last night since it seemed logical.

Thanx!!!

I would cut, then finish, then assemble and glue. Dado's are easy to finish around without getting stuff in the joint (which compromises 'glueability').

I wouldn't finish prior to cutting. You'll mark up and scratch yr finish.

[Joe Chritz]

I generally finish drawers after assembly because they are short boxes and easy to get finish without a lot of spraying problems.

There isn't any reason you can't pre-finish all or some of the parts and assemble.

I generally like to round over the tops of the sides and I think it looks better when it is done after assembly. I do final sand all inside parts before assembly.

Joe

[glenn bradley]

I just made a batch

2nd drawer unit 003.jpg

using drawer-lock joints as you describe.

2nd drawer unit 005.jpg

I assemble and then finish. I don't normally apply finish to drawer boxes but, these are shop drawers to they get a shellacing.

[Michael Dunn]

Yeah, good call on the round over, I love the look of that!!! I'll do that now. I already have one coat of Satin Poly on, but oh well.

I generally finish drawers after assembly because they are short boxes and easy to get finish without a lot of spraying problems.

There isn't any reason you can't pre-finish all or some of the parts and assemble.

I generally like to round over the tops of the sides and I think it looks better when it is done after assembly. I do final sand all inside parts before assembly.

Joe

[Michael Dunn]

Nice work!!!

I just made a batch

2nd drawer unit 003.jpg

using drawer-lock joints as you describe.

2nd drawer unit 005.jpg

I assemble and then finish. I don't normally apply finish to drawer boxes but, these are shop drawers to they get a shellacing.