Wow...the more I think about it, the more sense it makes just to use Minwax poly as recommended.
Once I went down the oil-based stain path, I think I’d better just stay on it with oil based poly. If after all this work, something went wrong and I’d have to start over....I think might actually smash the thing with a sledgehammer!
(Ok, I probably wouldn’t, but I’d think about it!) 😡