Recommendations for finishing this cubby shelf? (Dry-fit)

Maker Talk Furniture
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I built my first chubby self out of import plywood this week. It’s an entertainment center to carry my physical media collection. In the picture, everything is dry fit together (no glue).

I want to stain this shelf with walnut-colored stain, iron edge banding onto the front, and nail a 1/8” plywood board to the back, but I don’t quite know the proper order of operations. Here’s what I’m thinking:

  • glue the shelf together
  • sand with 180 grit
  • nail board to back
  • edge banding
  • stain / topcoat

Would you make any changes to the order of steps, or do you have recommendations for what I should do differently?

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The cabinet looks great!

Personally I would pre-finish all the interior surfaces before gluing it together. Its so much easier while its apart… Just make sure you mask off the dados, rebates and anywhere else you will apply glue before your apply your stain and top-coats.

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I would apply edge banding before sanding. Usually some easing of the edge is required.

I usually like to apply finish before assembly. Even if I do not do that, I sand to final grit before assembly.

When you assemble, tape the inside of the joints to easily remove glue squeeze out if any.