Morton’s Shop: Cutting off the Leaves

This table design has a 2′ leaf at either end.  Now that I have the whole top glued up (10.5′ long!) – it’s time to rip off the two leaves.

I use my Festool TS55 and rail to correctly line up where the cut will go. I have only one shot at this – so although the rail has never slipped on me, I add two rail clamps to secure it.

Festool TS55 ready to cut off the end

I’ve never had tearout using the TS55 + rail, but I also add a line of blue tape down the cut line and a new splinter guard just to be sure. Here we go!

TS55 on the rail - also using blue tape to control tearout

Four cuts later (two to cut off the leaves and two at the very ends), and I’ve got my final table top!

The table top with the leaves cut to size