Domino before or after finishing?

[BigHonu]

I'm trying to end join two pieces of ply using Dominos where the pieces are meant to be taken apart and put back together.  The Dominos are only there to help with alignment.

If I cut the mortises and glue in the Dominos first and then finish, I'm worried that the finishing process (water based stain under Arm-R-Seal) will swell up the mortises in the opposite piece just enough so that the Dominos won't fit any more.

Should I finish first, or should it be okay to fit the Dominos in and work carefully around the mortised edge before finishing?

Any advice is appreciated!

Brian

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Firstly, I don't think it will be a problem to finish first. 
If you are worried, stick an unglued domino in the mortise, then finish, and pull the domino out.
If the domino sticks a little after all this, a swipe or two with sandpaper should do the job.  BTW, I keep a bagful of slightly sanded dominoes when I will be doing multiple dry-fits, so as not to wear out the mortise.

 

[BigHonu]

Jesse,

Thanks for the advice!

 

[mouppe]

Why don't you apply the finish, and then mortise? Then you have nothing to worry about.

 

[grobin]

I finish, sand a polish before I cut the mortises.  That way all I have to do is fit and maybe a little glue cleanup, the finish makes that very easy.  Sometimes I have to take out a ding or scratch but that's easy.  Finish first is much mush faster than trying to do a good job of finishing a completed piece!

Yes its a little harder on the cutters, but that's a trade off I am willing to make.

 

[BigHonu]

Thanks guys! I'll finish first and then cut the mortise.

Aloha!
Brian

 

[Dan Clermont]

Personally, I'd cut the Domino's after the finish that way if you ever decide you want to make it permanent it won't be a problem down the road.

Just my two Canadian cents
Dan Clermont

 

[spikfot]

Firstly, I don't think it will be a problem to finish first. 
If you are worried, stick an unglued domino in the mortise, then finish, and pull the domino out.
If the domino sticks a little after all this, a swipe or two with sandpaper should do the job.  BTW, I keep a bagful of slightly sanded dominoes when I will be doing multiple dry-fits, so as not to wear out the mortise.

Same here, sanded dominoes are marked with black felt tip

 

[Chris Hughes]

In my opinion, it is better to do more assembly on the front side of finishing than after.  Typically, I use the domino then insert the tenon, afterward sand for finish and put painters tape to protect the tenon.  After my parts are painted and cured all I have to do is remove the tape and assemble.

I have a wine rack that I just got back from the painter and will be doing the assembly on this next week under a thread started a while back.  This is my example for this question.