Jimbo... i hate oil - gives me hives. OHHHHHHHH... ur talking woodwork. Oh, well, maybe I wood like it on that. I just don't get the whole process. Oil it, let it sit for days, some kind of clear coat. It hasn't sunk in yet. Besides, the only woods I've used are poplar - which to me doesn't look good with a stain... although maybe oil would be different. I have a piece of red oak but I haven't worked much with it. It's like I'm saving it. For what, I don't know.
David... what's a spanner? Did you mean spanker?