MitchB Posted July 2, 2019 Report Share Posted July 2, 2019 Hello and happy woodworking! I'm building a bench/shoe rack of walnut. It is nearly complete! I only need one more sanding step at 180. I'm beginning to think about what pieces I can pre-finish (arm-r-seal semi-gloss). The top of the bench sits flush with the top of the apron and legs by way of a grove in the apron and a rabbet in the top (see pictures for a general idea). What are the pros and cons of pre-finishing the entire top including the rabbet and the groove as opposed to not finishing rabbet and the groove. I guess the same could apply for pre-finishing the entire panel of a frame and panel. The bench top floats in the groove to allow for wood movement. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted July 2, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 2, 2019 I would pre-finish every surface that doesn't receive glue. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 2, 2019 Report Share Posted July 2, 2019 First, welcome to the forum. Second, those are some darn nice looking cuts. Lastly, I have made several frame and panel projects and have luckily, never regretted never prefinishing any of them. However, there are umpteen dozens of others on here, @wtnhighlander included that have far more experience in finishing than I have so take that as you will. Also, we have a constant 100% humidity here, even inside, so that may have a bearing on my success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 2, 2019 Report Share Posted July 2, 2019 Welcome! Awesome work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchB Posted July 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2019 Thanks for the replies! I will go ahead and pre-finish everything that doesn't receive glue. I'll post pictures of the last couple steps and final assembly in this thread today and tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MitchB Posted July 3, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Dry fit went well and I've already got half the parts glued up and prefinished. Hoping to do the final assembly tomorrow. It's made of walnut (that i bought for dirt cheap on Fb marketplace. That is the greatest way to buy anything used these days). The dowels or spindles I made of maple. I'm pretty excited! It's an awful fancy shoe rack! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Looking very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Great job on the joinery. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchB Posted July 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Arm-r-seal for the win! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MitchB Posted July 4, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 The bench shoe rack is glued up with a coat of finish on it now. Pretty happy with it! Thanks for the finishing advice. If only I had better lighting for pictures.. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 Wow that really popped with the finish! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 Great job all the way around Mitch, joinery, design and finish all done very well, don’t forget to sign and date it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 Helluva job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchB Posted July 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2019 Thanks for the compliments! It's very motivating. I've been woodworking just over a year and I'm in love with it. Can't take credit for all of the design though. I saw a picture in a magazine ad of a similar bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 5, 2019 Report Share Posted July 5, 2019 Beautiful piece! Well done! Mine would be a fraction of that size. One pair of tennis and two pair of flip flops. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 Sunday going to meet'n flip flops and another pair for picking tomatoes in February? ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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