I have the table also and love, love, love it. I have used it with just one side up with no problems. I have one cutting mat that I use when it is only half up and the big one when it is fully up. Just a hint, the large mat comes rolled up so it has a bad curve in it for awhile. I laid it upside down under a bed to get it straightened out. I also used a couple of those really large binder clips to hold the mat to the table. When it's not up for cuttings, I have a table cover over it and use it as a sofa table. One of best purchased I ever made.