[DesertRatTom]

Sounds like you were cutting into the grain, with the grain running inward, toward the bit. If I read your post right, you simply flipped the piece so the first pass was correct, but the second was not . That is never a safe practice.

It didn't grab like that on the first pass, correct? My solution would be to make the first pass on both pieces. Then reset the fence back a bit so it lines up with the second cut, then pass both pieces through in the same direction as the first pass.

Sounds like a splice joint is in the works, so you can make any adjustment to fit on the spline, rather than in the two main pieces. This should avoid any problem with exact dimensions.

Here's a quick explanation in an illustration.

 

[DesertRatTom]

On that table, I'm not sure how you would do this, but getting multiple passes to wind up with exactly the same thickness is worth figuring out. I drilled a quarter inch hole on the left end of the tabble. Then a 1/4 inch hole under that end of the fence. With a 1/4 inch rod, connect the two holes. This gives you a pivoting point with a free swinging other end. You can use a pencil to mark the fence position for every cut, including the last one, so you can repeat the fence position for each piece.

On the table, I ALWAYS try to work with the good face down. Makes it easier to get any grooves in the right place so that the top glues up nice and flat all the way across with a minimum of sanding.