Ron Harper wrote:
>
> I need some help pretty soon

Here it is!

> He says to clamp the joint shut and drive the pins ( wooden) thru the joint
> and trim, etc.

Yup.

>
> General question about this technique. One bores the hole thru the leg and
> then inserts the tenon
> Use the bit to make an indentation on the tenon then bore 1/16 inboard of
> that.

Whoa!!!!! That's waaaay too much offset. If your wood is already
kiln-dried, you'll split it for sure. I offset at most 1/32. In really
hard woods like maple or oak, 1/64 is plenty. The way you get your
"slop" is by ever-so-slightly undercutting the shoulders of your
rails/aprons (we're talking one or two light passes with a side rabbit
plane), and by shaving a couple facets along the lengths of your pins.
This gives them some room to compress in the hole, holding everything
firmly in place.

I gave this treatment to my son's table, which has taken three years of
solid abuse, with nary a wiggle. Ya know, a curly maple top with crayon
and pencil marks still retains its character and dignity ;-).

Paddy