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Hints and Tips

5/8" panels vs. 3/4" Panels for Raised Panel Doors
There is no right or wrong on either dimension, however most doors are made with a 5/8" raised panel. Part of the reason for this is the weight consideration and the effect this weight will have on the overall cabinet as well as taking into consideration that doors are often closed hard. The heavier the panel, the more stress that is put on the door frame. So, consideration of how the door will be used is an important factor.

If 3/4" is going to be used, you can back cut the panel with the same panel raiser bit that you will be using for the profile by setting the bit 1/8" above the table surface and make your back cut. You then turn the panel and proceed with the raised panel. This will give you the back relief needed. 
NOTE: Be careful when trying to make a raised panel in one pass, especially on arched doors where there is no support and the cut is a plunge cut. You are removing a lot of material and it's dangerous.

Even manufacturers that are selling raised panel cutters with a back cutter as part of the assembly sell it with a larger bearing and suggest that you make the first cut with the large bearing in place, then disassemble the cutter and replace the large bearing with the smaller bearing before making your finished cut.

Demonstrations showing the raised panel and back cut being made in a single pass, although impressive, are done by professionals with years of experience, and then only with selected materials that are relatively easy to cut, such as walnut. When you read the manufacturer's instructions, they will most commonly spell out the procedure to make the cut in at least two passes, probably three passes. A lot of oak is used in cabinet work, and, as you are probably aware, oak does not take kindly to deep plunge cuts. The deeper the cut made in oak, the greater the tearout fuzzing. Remember, you have to sand the end grain to absolute smoothness before finishing.

Safety Tips 
Don’t bottom-out the bit shank in the collet. The bit shank should clear the collet bottom by about 1/8"

Panel Expansion
Small doors have little expansion or contraction, so to limit any slop just place a little foam tape or other such item into the bottom of the slot before final assembly.