Pic of the exact hardware would be more helpful. Forstners and razor-sharp chisels are adequate for any wood except in end-grain. Cutting mortises in end grain demands a router and preferably a template.

I had never heard of a forstner bit! I can use that in a drill press? I looked it up, that looks like just the ticket.

here is the kind of hanger I meant:

Yep, drill out the ends, maybe one or two centers hole (a beauty of Forstners is that you can drill overlapping holes without drift), then clean up edges with a chisel.

Thanks! Will be getting a set of these as soon as possible.