Joel is right about counting your rags. We use a pretty much ragless process. Apply with a brush. Don't wipe (you don't need to), and keep your brush submerged in mix when not in use.

One other warning. Our very first raising was a hand raising. We had done so well with scheduling, we were oiling timbers the day we were raising (because we had been finishing the joinery the night before). The next day we heard more than one story of beards being shaved of before husbands were allowed to come to bed.

Job hazards never sleep.