I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after? If I
drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.

Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

- Ken

In article , Ken McIsaac wrote:
I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after?

After, definitely.

If I drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

Worse: it will run through the hole, and harden into a drip on the other side.

If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.

Naaah. Use a sharp brad-point drill, and you won't have any problem at all.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Ken McIsaac wrote:
I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after?

Drill holes first, then finish using a pipe cleaner to apply finish to
hole walls, then finish remainder of drawer front.

Handle mounting screws will remove any excess material.

Works for me.

YMMV.

Lew

If you are putting enough finish on so that it dribbles into the holes, you
are putting it on too thickly. Thin coats better than thick.
DAVe
"Swingman" wrote in message
...

"Ken McIsaac" wrote in message...
I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after? If I
drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.

Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

It is generally an accepted practice to mount all your hardware before
beginning your finishing process - hinges, knobs, etc., then remove the
hardware, apply your finish, and remount the hardware as the final step.


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07

"Ken McIsaac" wrote in message...
I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after? If I
drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.

Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

It is generally an accepted practice to mount all your hardware before
beginning your finishing process - hinges, knobs, etc., then remove the
hardware, apply your finish, and remount the hardware as the final step.


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07

On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:32:36 -0400, Ken McIsaac
wrote:

I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after? If I
drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.

Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

- Ken

I drill knob holes first, then apply finish. This helps seal up the
hole walls, perhaps making it more stable in the long run.

"Ken McIsaac" wrote in message
...
I am in the process of finishing a drawer that will get a water-based
polyurethane finish. It needs two holes drilled in the face for the
handle.

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after? If I
drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.

Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

- Ken


It matters not.

Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

- Ken

I drill before finishing. * That way I can mark the locations etc....
I've never had a problem with the hole getting filled up but I've not used
poly either. *

All

Use a piece if dowel or a peg to fit in the holes. Push them out
before the finish sets all the way.

Bob AZ

I still say it does not matter but to cover a few points more specifically,

"Ken McIsaac" wrote in message
...

Would you recommend drilling before applying the poly or after? If I
drill before, I can see the poly dripping into the hole and needing to
be drilled or scraped out, which will probably mar the finish around
the hole.

If you drill and use pencil marks or similar marks to mark the location and
do this in the wrong place, it is easier repaired before the finish goes on.
You can resand after drilling the holes to remove marks or sand down the
repair. Dont worry about the finish gettin in to the hole. The finesh is
going to remain relative soft for weeks and even then a decent drill bit
will cut the finish if you need to resize the hole.


If I drill after, then I am drilling through a thin film of plastic on
top of the drawer face, which I can imagine might crack or spider-web
or something.


I have done a lot or repairs and modifications to pieces with finishes that
are years old, I have never witnessed any checking or spider-web or
something. You are not drilling through glass. ;~)


Which is the least error-prone way to do this?

The least error-prone way is the one that you use that works best for you.
Typically the way that is the easiest to repair should you make a mistake is
to drill the holes first, finish, resize holes if necessary and attach
pulls.