Clean, clean, clean, and clean some more.
Seriously, almost all of the problems in my first couple of projects were cause by poor preparation.
Also, run a few scraps as test pieces before you do the real thing. Then ask specific question about what went wrong on the test pieces. It is much easier to help you fix an existing setup then to describe how to build you first setup.
Looking for nickle plated test pieces? I doubt very much your Mrs. would mind too much if you were to replate a few forks
Be sure to gift wrap the forks before returning them.
Dave