Removing the old finish is pretty easy. Paint stripper to soften it up and remove as much as possible of the disolved product. Then take fine steel wool and gentally scrub it down with laquer thinner to remove the remaining residue. The laquer thinner also dries out the wood quickly.

Rule number one I suppose besides wearing rubber gloves etc. Is stay away from using water or water based products on bare wood. You do not want to expand the old fossilized cells it the wood. The steel wool also tends to smooth the surface or polish it to some extent during the wash down.

It does not disturb the original patina of the wood either. Unless you get really aggressive with the steel wool.

Actually by aquiring another set of wood cheap or free. So many sets just get crushed. If you should mess up along the way probably is not as bad if you mess up somehow on the only set you have. There is little reason to mess up unless you do not follow steps.

Old style laquer is the easiest thing for paint strippers to dissolve. To me using the laquer thinner wash is mandatory. Do not sand the wood.