Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - antique tables

I want to build a table from barn wood--I have seen tables with horizontal leg suports that are notched and sticking through the main legs--what tool do I use to put the holes in the main legs? Thank you.
Ron Jackson

Tools will vary depending on the actual style. Post a picture on photobucket or similar site and post a link here so we can see what you're trying to do.

Sounds like you are describing a through mortise-and-tenon joint (as opposed to a stub, or stopped, mortise where the end of the crosspiece is not visible).

The mortises can be done with a drill press & Forstner bit and cleaned up with a chisel. The stopped mortise is easier because any flaws are hidden by the shoulder of the tenon'ed piece. With a through mortise the joint itself is visible on the protruding part. Another way of doing it is to use a stopped joint and add fake ends. :coffee:

Some photos here:

Tile Top End Table | DoItYourself.com (http://www.doityourself.com/did-it-myself/tile-top-end-table)

Go down to the "More Photos" section; you'll see one pic showing a piece being rough drilled on the drill press and another one of pieces laid out ready for assembly (the middle two photos). These are stopped mortises.