Hi everyone,
Long ago I purchased a 4" thick, 8' long, hard maple bench top but it's only about 21" wide. I want to glue a new 8' piece of maple to bring it to 24" wide.
However, if we assume the top is flat (at least near the edge), and check it with a square, further down the thickness towards the bottom of the benchtop, it's off (thicker at the bottom).
I want it to be 90 degrees, because the piece I'll be gluing to it will definitely be 90 degrees, and part of it will be used as a clamping surface.
Running through various scenarios on how to accomplish this:
1. Use a router bit with a 2" cutting depth that has a bearing at the top, flip the workbench, and use a router bit with a 2" cutting depth that has a bearing at the bottom.
2. Use a track saw with a really long guide rail (expensive to purchase, and also expensive to ship). Cut to max depth, break off the piece that's been cut, flip the benchtop and follow up with the router bit that has the bottom bearing
3. Move the benchtop to the sliding table saw, cut at max depth. Break off the piece that's been cut, flip the benchtop and follow up with the router bit that has the bottom bearing
I'm inclined to go with option 1, for it's simplicity. Not sure my slider is dialed in to make an 8' cut that's relatively parallel. Also don't want to move this monster slab any more than necessary.
There may be other solutions I'm not considering, please let me know your thoughts --
Thanks,
Ned