Goal two was installing the bed bolts. Been putting this off because being that accurate makes me nervous.
After plotting out where all the holes should go I drilled a very shallow 1" hole which matches the diameter of the washer. I did not drill this to full depth so I would have more 'meat' guiding the drill bit on its ling journey into end grain.
Next, on the drill press, I drilled the 3/8" shank hole for the bolt. I first drilled a 1/8" through hole. this marked the exit point for the larger bit allowing me to partially drill through from the inside of the mortice, then flipping the piece I completed the hole from the face - no blow out.
Next came the nerve-racking part - the long deep bolt hole in the end grain of the bed rail. Prayers having been uttered I charged on.
I made an additional guide that stood far back from the hole and used the bit as a drft pin to align the hole in the u=guide to the one in the leg. This essentially gave me about 3" of guide for the bit to get the hole started.
As I went deeper I removed the guide and then the leg to drill deep enough o capture the full length of the bolt.
Now, even the best laid plans go wacky so, rather than just trust the drill went straight I used some rare earth magnets to locate the bolt in the wood. I was pretty close with only a 1/32 or so deviation but even that would have been enough to keep the bolt from threading.
Then one more nail biter, the bolt hole which needed to be about 1 1/8" deep...in 1 1/4" material! I held my breath on each one holing the drill would not grab and pop through the face!
Last step back to the drill press to finish the hole for the washer and bolt head.