Nice project! I have an old Montgomry Wards wood band saw that I converted to metal years ago, (its in storage with the rest of my stuff) but I never got to test it out really before the sh*t hit the fan with the divorce. I had used an old gear reducer, not sure if it was 50:1 or 60:1, I used step pulleys and I think its a 3/4 or 1 HP motor. Your project is encouraging to me!! What size is your motor? Have you cut steel yet? I use mostly 1/8" and 1/4" so that is what Im looking to cut. Im wondering if my motor is big enough or not. Thaks for sharing the pictures and info with us. I like the Biddle guage, very handy. Where did you get that? Is it something still available or from years ago, looks like it would be very handy to have.