Pegs were cut from maple (what I had)to 1"+ on the table saw and sized in the planer to 31/32" flat to flat. I cut tapers on the end with a quick jig in the chop saw. It was a small frame and I don't know that I would do the tapers in the same way for 500 but the taper is faceted like the peg and looks pretty damn cool, may leave it.
The frame was assembled with draw bores(except for a brain cramp on one brace)One lesson learned is to be conservative in the drawboring in softwood, a little blowout on one joint.
It worked great and I really like the look of the octagonal pegs.

Thank you gents