Todd,
Here is a tip ya might want to try, I know ya in the desert BUT water in any amount and Oak do not mix!
after you are happy with your stain, ya do know it will get a lot darker when you apply the Varnish? so dont go to dark, ya have any scraps you can Test on?
after you have the boards the color you are happy with I suggest you go to the HW Store and get some Thompsons Water Seal and fill up a pan big enough for all your boards to stand in ..add abought 1" of the Thompsons an let each end soak a few hrs, that should be plenty with oak as it will suck it up pretty fast, if it is warm out wrap some reynolds wrap around the pan and your boards too help slow the evaporation, after a good soak of your end grain treat all the other surfaces with a few coats ...let em dry a few days, before applying your varnish that should STOP any of the Black nasty stains from appearing for a long time!...just remeber if ya drill any holes in the boards after the FACT to treat each hole Liberally with the Thompsons.
If you can swing S.S. bolts that would be even better!
Just some tips on a long lasting job.
Tim
