Thank you. Great catches on all your points. I need to better explain the elongated hole means just pitch the drill up and down, this allows seasonal movement of the wood. I'll start updating the instructions but won't repost until a little bit to ensure I get all the inputs.
I hope you have a chance to make one of these chests. I can typically make one of these (without carvings) in about 8 hours. Now its a long 8 hours with only a break or two but they do go fairly quick.