Finishing stand

[Brian Keith]

I just finished a stand and stained it with the top and shelf not attached. When I go to poly it should I completely assemble it or poly it like I stained it and then assemble it? Thanks

[glenn bradley]

Poly can be a little thick and as it is a final coat I prefer to apply it to an assembled piece. The exception would be a piece with a lot of nooks and crannies or a piece that does not fit together with interlocking joints (dados for example). If everything just butts together and gets screwed then finishing before assembly could prove easier.