the machines used seems to be the right size. bigger for a DIYer and smaller for a professional. not meant to say you are not a professional, but i think you got it. its a compliment. overall great work.
Awesome build. I have been getting into woodworking myself recently. I've used mainly pine since it's not pricey and I get to experiment with it before moving on to better looking hard wood. You're right about staining pine. Even when I use a conditioner it tends to be a bit blotchy. Sometimes I just use a clear finish. Again, nice job.
