Hello asqualloff:
I would like to reply to the drawbore question--
When I was in doubt about such questions I would examine the actual works of traditional timberframers from long ago. Following their techniques you make no (major) mistakes. I must admit though that they made errors like anyone else and they were not all the best timberframers or hewers. In reviewing many timberframes I have noticed errors covered up but in most cases the frames were still strong and true.
They had no comealongs, and the drawbore technique proved to be one of the best methods to tighten up a mortise and tenon joint (done properly). Take an 1.25" oak peg that bows 1\8" to 3\16" in the width of the timber and then add in some case 2 or three pegs in heavy barn framing, and you have tons and I mean tons of force that you could not obtain with a 1 to 2 ton comealong.
I hope that I have made a case for the draw bore technique that has been tried and proven over the centuries.
To add to that it is so much easier to drift in the draw bore pins than to set up a complicated pulling action with comealongs not to say anything about the damage to the exterior of the timber's corners and faces.
The Northern Hewer