some other tips ive learned (or re-learned) over the last few months:
-if building more than one or two make a template for your holes then you can blaze. i use the spring loaded punch from harbor freight to mark them all then drill bananas
-you can be a lot more accurate piloting holes with an 1/8" bit first then stack em up and hog em out with the right size which takes no time at all
-have extra bits and taps on hand! nothing more frustrating than a 75% project you get stuck on til tomorrow
-please wear eye protection when drilling! esp with a press as they can launch scraps at you