My husband made me one of those 4-board quilting frames when we first got married. I would hang it from the rafters in the basement to quilt a quilt. And, yes, he drilled holes, too. They were about 4" apart and I would stretch the quilt across the frame that was sized by bolts dropping through the holes to make it the right size. I had wing nuts to screw on the bolts so they stayed tight and true to size.
When I'd start quilting a quilt I would work along one side until I couldn't reach any longer to get my stitches nice and even. Then, I'd roll the quilt on the board where I was working until I could reach again. Stitch and roll. Stitch and roll.
From there I graduated to a homemade quilting frame with a roller that sits on the floor. Now I have a LA. I don't have the 4 boards anymore but I still have the quilting frame with a roller. That's my favorite one if I have time to hand quilt.