Running the grain across the table top and using breadboard edges has been a really extensive learning experience for me. The table top is in 3 segments, 2 are the extending/retracting segments and the 3rd is the butterfly segment. On the couple big projects I have built, the top was just a glueup, cut to length, square, treat the edges and then finish. If the grain ran the length of the table, I could have built the segments slightly oversized and the cut to size and shape. Now with the grain running across the table, I have to struggle to size the 3 segments so the inside edge of the breadboard edges align before I actually cut the tenons on the field of the three segments. The value of a marking knife has really increased in my shop!

For the record, I chose to run the grain across the table to maximize the usage out of the 8/4 walnut boards I was able to purchase.

As my signiture states, so much to learn, so little time.