I often have people ask me what kind of finishing I prefer and how I apply the finish. However, I never have anyone ask me if I pre-finish or post-finish a piece. By that, I mean applying the finish before or after assembling the parts. As many of you know, I like working with contrasting woods on pieces to make them stand out. This requires the stain or finish to be compatible with both species if applied after the construction phase. However, if I need to darken one species without affecting the other, I need to apply the finish prior to assembling. Likewise, a piece might need to be pre-finished to simplify the construction process. Leaving a back off a carcass is a good example. This allows ample room to cleanly finish the inside, then install the pre-finished back. Finishing sequence of events requires forethought and planning. So, the next time you ask a woodworker what kind of finish or how they apply the finish also inquire about pre-finishing and post-finishing.
Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill