Cutting ( I Think ? ) big Sycamore

[NMC]

hello,
forgive me if I have posted this in the wrong place as I am very new to this.
Firstly, can I say thank you to the FOG for all the information I have picked off on the various tools that I have needed help on.
Right, I have several pieces of Sycamore that I have planked and dried with the live edges still on and need to cut these off. They are all 6ft long and 2 1/4" thick.
I have the TS75 with a universal blade and this seemed to make hard work of cross cutting and I need a 6 ft rip. I am waiting for a Panther blade I have bought for this but I really am not sure how to use it properly with this thickness of what seems to me to be pretty hard wood. Should I be able to make the cut full depth in one pass or will it be best to cut in 2 or 3 shallower passes.
I understand that the Panther blade leaves quite a rough edge so can I then take another pass of about a millimetre or so with the fine blade to tidy up presuming that this shouldn't damage the fine blade.
Any help would be appreciated thank you.
P.S. I also have the RO150 on order to get these big pieces sanded. Looking forward to that

 

[bobbobbob]

How long has it been since your universal blade was sharpened? A sharp blade will make huge difference.  I ran into this last year with some super curly 8/4 maple.  Sharp blade made a huge difference.

 

[mike_aa]

NMC,
Welcome to the FOG.

I recently finished a Siberian Elm live edge slab that I left the live edge on so I can't comment on the ripping.  However, your choice of the RO150 is spot on as that is what I used the sand out the bandsaw marks on my slab.  With the dust extractor it was easy to see the progress and maintain a flat surface.  I did use an ETS150 for the higher grits finish sanding, but I believe you should be able to do it all with the RO if you need to.

Good luck on your project and please share pictures!

Mike A.