I have 2 ~5.5" x 1.25" hard maple boards I want to rip into eight 1.25" square pieces for table legs. Typically, I would have done this with the larger width next to the fence, ripping off 1.25", then repositioning the fence 1 3/8" to the left (to account for the kerf) and ripping again. Seems safer that way. It sure would be easier though if I could just set the fence at 1.25", then rip with the wider (but progressively narrower) section of board to the left of the blade. Is there any reason I shouldn't do this? For one thing, given the desired pieces are only 1.25", with the guard in place, there's not much room to push the cut piece out from between fence and blade. The nuts on that side of the guard (PM2000) in particular stick out a fair distance toward the fence, making it even harder to get a push stick in there. I'm considering removing the guard on that side (which can be done with the design) to allow more room. Any comments?

TIA

Dan