Here's what it comes down to:

1) Mallet, chisel, saw, bit/brace-less than $275- I'll be working mostly alone and not full time, summer in the Adirondacks is too short to get it done.

2) Handheld electric drill, bit, chisel clean up. About $400, will be difficult at the start to get accurate mortises by eye.

3) Add a drill guide like ProTool 460. Cost about $900 all together, could get about 1/2 back at the end of the season.

4) Antique boring machine 250-700. Forget the analysis, my shoulders (rotator cuff) wouldn't make it.

5) Makita chain mortiser. $1000 used, 1300 new, probably 850 back at the end of the summer. Does tongue/finger joints too. Tempting, anybody have one in good condition for sale?

Carl