1. When trying out a finish for the first time always try it out on a scrap piece of wood of the type you want to put the finish on, that way if you muck it up or dislike it you have not ruined the work that you have just finished.
2. When working on a large piece, DO NOT drill all the holes at once, because if it breaks and is unfixable you have still the rest of the wood to make something else, whereas if you have drilled all the holes all you have is fire wood.
Marg