It's exceeded expectations, put it that way. Now the belts have been changed, thanks to pointers received above, it will cut 4" beech and 3" oak, which is what I've been cutting on it, and why I wanted to get it working. In that sense it saves having to use the 'flip-and-cut' method with circular saw, which I hate. I'll say the blade helps a great deal. It's currently running a Tuffsaws sabrecut 5/8" 3tpi blade bought in 2019 along with a m42 1/2" blade I haven't tried yet, which is how long it's taken to get this saw running with along with everything else. It's also been put onto a much lower cabinet with wheels. The old original stand had the saw so high it felt like cutting the wood up by your chin, and at least now some roller stands can be used to feed the wood through.
For the amusement of those with greater skills in the metal working dept, and doubtless the correct kit, a couple of photos showing the upper guide assembly, and the empty holes where the original fitments went and a new hole 'carefully' cut with an angle grinder. The replacement is a solid tube, which slides in a hollow tube, adjusted by the two bolts. The whole assembly being clamped via a pipe clamp of all things on the top of the band saw, that required another hole in case, but this time drilled with a step-drill. Behind that is another bolt which adjusts the tilt of the top wheel. It takes a fair of amount patience to get everything aligned, that blade will stay on until blunt. For smaller items I bought a ferrex 10" aka Aldi special as there wasn't the budget to buy a proper replacement for the multico. If the bits in the box had been correct for this saw then it would have been a great deal easier to reassemble and I've no doubt the complete machines still in use are very good. But they're now regarded as 'old' and no-one wants these old machines.
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