Do you finish the 1st inch of the mortise of a breadboard prior to assembly ?

[Martin-IT]

You see many woodworker finishing many parts of a project, and many will say it is because it is easier to finish prior to assembly.

In some case, it is like painting the inside of a closet, whatever way you do it, it seems you will always make contact with a finished surface.

What about to deal with unfinished wood showing mid-winter ? 

I made a table with a breadboard, now in January the top has shrunk 1/16 on each side of the breadboard, exposing the unfinished inside of the mortise.

Also, the corner of the mortise on the breadboard is a nicking hazard. Knowing now, I would have made the breadboard slightly shorter than the table width...

Any rule on finishing to deal with wood movement ?  

Not cutting part to match the size of each other ?

 

[gee-dub]

I would say your situation is similar to finishing floating panels prior to installing in the frame.  Anything that may show during seasonal changes should be addressed.

[pkinneb]

I do more and more prefinishing for both movement and ease of glue clean up.

[wtnhighlander]

Take a hint from G&G, and make the bread board oversized in all dimensions, and round all the corners. No matter how much the panel shrinks, it still looks intentional.

[Martin-IT]

Do you have an example/online reference of G&G rounding the inside corner ?

I would like to see it, as I wonder if it would give it a rustic look.

[wtnhighlander]

I think you can see the detail well enough in this article from the WoodWhisperer himself.

[BillyJack]

No.... I don't prefinish. Unless it's something I'll have trouble getting too later. Cabinet door inserts should be atleast stained and one coat of sealer before assembly on personal cabinets...

[Chip Sawdust]

Here’s a bit of G&G breadboard end treatment. The ebony slides with wood movement and keeps the mortise covered.