beveled edges on tabletop

[eddy merckx]

Hi everyone. I need some advice concerning my current project. I need to bevel the edges of the table top of a sideboard. The dimensions are 24" wide by 48" long, 6/4 maranti. The bevels will angle toward the carcase, with the bevel facing down.

This will be very visible, so I can't screw it up. I thought of trying to do it on the tablesaw with a long table attached. I'm afraid of the wood accidentally tipping into the blade and making nasty saw marks. I have the same concern with using a circular saw and straight edge. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Eddy

[scorrpio]

Umm, router with a quality chamfer bit and a scrap board clamped at the end to prevent tearout?

P.S. If you plan to bevel entire 6/4 thickness of it, finding a large enough chamfer bit might be a problem. In that case, I suggest making a large sled that will ride in miter slots, and secure the table top to it.

[crokett]

Your tablesaw will do it with either a sled or proper infeed/outfeed support. A circular saw with a good straight edge would be a quicker setup.

[LarryG]

If you all you want is a small 45* chamfer, use a router table and a chamfer bit. The limitation here is that most chamfer bits have a cutter length of only about 3/4", maximum.

However if you want, as I suspect, the wider and more elegant bottom bevel that is typically used on table top overhangs -- say more on the order of 1:3 -- then this is a job for the table saw, with a tall fence and the workpiece stood up on edge. Basically the same type of operation as using a table saw to raise panels for doors.

[eddy merckx]

Thanks for the responses guys. Larry is right, I want a bottom bevel. I don't think my little BT3 will handle a 4' table top on end. I don't think the fence is stable enough to balance something that large. All the more reason to go darkside soon....

Will have to build a sled as scorrpio and crocket suggest.

Thanks again for the input!!

Eddy