Stain first or put together and then stain?

[lshah72414]

Making a coat rack/ wet towel hanger for laundry room.  It will have oak back 7/8", oak sides 7/8" , and instead of a shelf I am placing wooden(oak 5/8") dowels for the wife to hang towels (approximately 28 " in length), etc as they come out of the laundry. Also, I will be putting brass coat hangers for coats beneath. I have pieces cut out, but, should I stain it before I put it together? Or should I put it together and then stain it?

Also do you think dominos will hold (only have room for three on each side) or should I glue butt joint with screws for reinforcement? What do you think will give it the most strength?

Thanks for your time.

 

[mrFinpgh]

I generally find it a lot easier to stain anything before it is put together. 

Dominoes and glue are pretty strong joints by themselves.  Screws might be handy if you don't have sufficient clamps or your design has long grain to end grain butt joints. 

-Adam

 

[lshah72414]

Thanks for the help

 

[JustinWG]

Stain prior to fabrication.  You can control your stain and finish a lot more efficiently.  It's a lot less messy that way as well.

 

[lshah72414]

That is two stain first. So I will be staining. Thanks for the feedback