I also built a "detached" screened dining room on a deck. The fact that it sat on a deck that was attached to the house allowed it to be built close...
John, I had the same experience about 20 years ago. My neighbor/now friend and I share tools (he was a contractor, I am a woodworker) and its worked...
I am in the process of building a wipe on poly finish on this piece as we speak. It presently has 6 coats of wipe on poly that I plan to buff with a...