- How do you stop it making a little step in the end of the piece
when the front foot drops off the end? Like this;

If this happens your blades are set wrong. The blades should cut to
exactly the depth of the rear plate, and the plane runs off the end
without any variation in height.

What to do about it is another matter, but if possible adjust the
blades or drum position to cure it.

Regards, NT