Hi folks, I need your help preventing a poor decision.

In looking at my need for a better side table and an extension table (like a fixed & folding Jim Becker type), I'm wondering about that rear rail. The saw is a DeWalt 746 with the DeWalt fence. The rear rail serves no function in locking the fence, but supports the back of the fence, provides something for a little plastic tab to keep the fence from backing off the front of the saw (not sure how that could happen), and generally provides a way for the right side table to connect to something.

I figure the fence might drag a bit on the table - so maybe some of those "slick sheets" adhered to the bottom would do the trick. And I can determine this by trial and (mostly) error. And I might need it for the sliding table.

But is that all the downside to this idea? Why did those of you with extension tables keep the rear rail? Is the lack of a rear rail going to offend the woodworking spirits and prompt them to cause spiteful kickback, burning and chatter?

Thanks for the input!

Eliot Mason
Wondering in Waunakee