This topicis pretty well covered. The only thing I have to add is LET IT DRY FOR ABOUT A YEAR THEN BUY A MOISTURE CHECKER AND IF THE MOISTURE IS LESS THAN 7% IT IS READY TO PLAIN DOWN.
I am thinking about a ex oribabky a 16 and use my DW 788 for the large cuttings. I have 2 DW788 and will probably sell one when the decision is finally made about 90% of my cutings are well under the 16 table.
I have no problems with walnut it could be your speed is too fast I useally use speed l5 on my DW788 . When cutting when you stop touch the blade if it is hot you are defently useing too much speed.