Dado's before or after iron on veneer

[Tom Henry]

Do you put your veneer on before or after you cut dado's in your case work?:confused:

[Mike Armstrong]

I actually haven't built something like that with iron on veneer, but it would seem easier to veneer the entire piece and then cut the dados. I would, tho, be sure to pre-score the veneer with good marking knife / utility knife to minimize the tear out when the dados are cut.

[Don Selke]

I cut my dados then add the veneer tape. I use a razor knife to cut around the dado. This works for me.

[Hoa Dinh]

I've always applied the veneer tape after assembly (after cutting dados for sure), just before final sanding and finishing.

I don't want the dados to show.

[Dave Falkenstein]

I have made quite a few cabinets with melamine. I always apply the iron-on edging tape before I cut the dados in the sides. In my case, the dados cut through the edging cleanly, leaving a nice looking joint at the front edge of the carcass. Cutting the edging tape after cutting the dados would be a good alternative, but I would think it would be time-consuming and tedious.