[Zeke]

Some notes on shellac: it is the panacea of refinishing. Shellac sticks to anything and won't attack underlying finishes as lacquer may do. For instance, lacquer over enamel will lift the enamel whereas the opposite is OK as is shellac.

OTOH, just about any finish can be applied over shellac being a base coat. Shellac sands and feathers nicely and can be used with fillers to build up and level a surface. You must use dewaxed shellac for the best performance under other finishes. As a stand alone finish shellac is hard to beat and you can use the wax version over itself coat after coat.

Some say shellac is to be used rather thin and not for building up. Others say that's nonsense. So beware of the different POV's. Practice makes perfect and I always have a test piece going along side any project.

Patrick, on the glue just use carpenter's yellow glue. Any brand. No need for exterior or moisture resistant. Use fresh glue if you can. Yellow glue should be tossed after a year to 18 months depending on how it's stored. Or, if you want to be able to clean up residue after you unclamp your work, use hide glue available in small bottles premixed. This glue should be tossed out after 6 to 9 months. I make batches as I need it and keep it refrigerated for up to a month. It is to be used at 140º F.