Hey Jerry, I actually use a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. I use an old metal baking pan and soak the piece in the mixture for a few minutes. If the oil doesn't completely cover the piece, I use a cheap chip brush to keep it wet. Using nitrile gloves, take the piece out of the oil and shake off as much excess oil as you can. Using a clean rag, wipe off any remaining oil. Set it on an old cooling rack or a clean piece of cardboard. Let it set for an hour and wipe off any oil that my bleed out.
With this mixture, your project will be dry in 24-36 hours depending on humidity. Then you can apply a topcoat if you want.
Pour the used oil mix in an old clean mason jar for the next project.
If you don't want to soak, use a chip brush to apply the oil mix. Keep it wet for about five minutes, then wipe off what does not soak in.
Lay out the used oily rags over the edge of a trash can or bucket for twenty four hours. If you leave them bunched up in a pile, they could catch fire!