Laminating table saw exetension table

[Gerry S. Wojtowicz]

I am going to laminate a table saw extention table I made. My question is this. Is it better to cut the miter slots after the laminate is on, or before. If I was to cut the miter slots first I would then have to go back with a flush cutting bit to trim out the laminate from the miter slots. I guess I'm concerned about the dado blade doing damage to the laminate top.

Thanks to all in advance for your input.

Gerry

[Victor Robinson]

I'd do it after.

Why not router the miter slot?

[Bruce Page]

I cut mine after.
+1 on using a router

[Gerry S. Wojtowicz]

Concerning routering the miter slot. I could do that, I just thought it would be quicker and easier to use the dado

[Victor Robinson]

Concerning routering the miter slot. I could do that, I just thought it would be quicker and easier to use the dado

In theory the dado should be fine if you have a good zero clearance insert to make sure the edges are well supported.

[Grant Wilkinson]

I did the dado after. I put blue tape over the dado line and, as Victor advised, used a zero clearance insert. It worked very well.

[Mark W Pugh]

In theory the dado should be fine if you have a good zero clearance insert to make sure the edges are well supported.

I did it after. Made a quick jig/guide that the router ran in fore/aft and left/right for the size of the miter slots. Clamped it to the table, used a straight bit, made a nice clean cut/s. If you laminate after the slots, be careful where the glue goes or you'll be cleaning out the dado.

[Alan Lightstone]

The last time I did this, I cut the slots first, then laminated on pieces and tried to trim them with a flush trim router bit. I had a tough time doing it, as all my flush trim router bits extended a little too deeply in the slots and contacted the bottom surface.

The first time I did it last - worked better. Not sure why I changed.