Last night I stained the little table. It was awful. I was tired. It got sloppy.
Some TransTint Vintage Maple was what I used (1:1 with water)-now it has more of a golden color; it was way too dark so I went over it w some 400 sandpaper (I know-abrasive).
How one should do this is to get a high quality brush, load a little (when not in a hurry) and be very methodical. (The problem-the way it looks is that where I put my brush/foam/rag on it seem to blotch, then less so--so I end up just flooding the stain on and hoping for the best.) I made a table last year, and it turned out OK.
When I go back in tonite, all the water will presumably be evaporated-I suppose I'll spray some lacquer over it. That will probably darken it again.
Overall, it is a real shame to spend all that time on a project and then do so poorly with the finish. I have even considered scrapping to entire thing, but then the next one will be just as sorry.
More reading required-Jewett, et al
Thanks all, David