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Is there any advantage in adjusting the blade height based on the thickness of the wood being cut or just keeping the blades height to it's max?

Only use what blade you need. Keeping the blade about an 1/8th of an inch above the stock when cutting reduces wear and tear on the blade and makes for a more accurate and smoother cut. The more blade you have exposed the more vibration you'll see and the more non-cutting area of the blade makes contact with the wood, the more heat is produced.

If you don't go by the 1/8" rule, just set the blade so the gullet of the cutting tooth is a hair above the stock.

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