Finish the inside of shop drawers or not?

[glenn bradley]

I've done my shop cabinets both ways and all has been well for a couple of years. The part of California I'm in is not known for it's heavy weather changes.

The question stems from this; I'm getting a little better at this after slamming around for a couple years. The current cabinet I'm making may just turn out to be a long-term keeper and I'd like to do it right.

Carcase is BB ply as are the drawer bodies and false fronts. Carcase and fronts will get clear shellac 'cause I like that look in a "Shop Cabinet". What do you think, shellac the drawer bodies or leave them exposed to breath? Drawers will hold router collars, measuring sticks, feather boards, etc. for the router table.

[Bob Marino]

Glen,

I would shellac them - same as on the outside. Even is wood movement would be minimal, and with ply, it is, the shellac makes cleaning the drawers much easier.

Bob

[Ron Jones near Indy]

I agree with Bob. I would finish them.

[Steve Kohn]

I painted mine a almond color in semi-gloss. Like was said earlier, they are easier to clean. Also I find that I can find stuff in the drawer easier against a painted background versus the grain of the plywood.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I do I use polyurethane from a can that's pretty much shot. I have this notion that it'll make cleaning accumulated dust and crud easier when in a few years they dust & crud starts to swallow the things in the drawers.