I'm not sure what the appearance issue is -- maybe something on the
order of the golden rule-(or golden mean) -
(hand held router method) You can run the ends to a point with a hand
held setup if you use a ramp under the router for the last inch - a 0"
to 3/16" ramp will work--with a stop on the ramp to control where the
router stops. You will have to play with the length. If the piece
will be painted, you can use small brads to attach the ramp & fill them
later. If your piece is hardwood, hot glue the ramp in place or use
thin double-sided tape to attach the ramp. If you are doing this on a
router table as your post suggests, you can build a small auxillary
table to go over the bit -So the piece of wood will start high, go down
off the ramp to cut at full depth then end high and stop. -
You didn't say how wide your piece is, nor how long.