I find using a self-healing mat saves on my blades. I built my cutting table around the size mat I could order online. Couldn't find one to fit my present cutting table so went the other way around. Got a piece of plywood 4 x 8 x 5/8" thick, slapped it on top of 2 enclosed cabinets, attached it with "L" brackets below and then added another shelve halfway down for more storage. I also added a piece of trim just about an .125 up from the edge to keep the mat from moving around but that was a moot point as the mat was so heavy it was not going to shift on me. Still it finished my plywood edges nicely too.