Wellsaw Model 1000 - Bearings wrong (3/4" blade instead of 1")?

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Hi folks, I just picked up a late model (late in the production life, not recently made, lol) Wellsaw model 1000 (10x16, predecessor to the 1016). It's in pretty rough shape, but I'm sure will clean up fine.The blade guide bearings that are installed are Chinese, obviously not original. The horizontal ones are W6203's and the vertical one that the spine of the blade rides against is 6203. I'm wondering if those are correct - but the manual lists a Wells part number, not a bearing designation. The reason I suspect they're wrong is that everywhere I find info about the saw, it uses a 1" blade. This one came with and is set up for 3/4". I think there's a cam in the upper blade guide bearing, so maybe they used the correct bearing and just adjusted that cam down lower to push the blade down lower - so a 3/4" blade would still have its teeth at the right level.So, if there are any current or former owners out there - can you confirm what designation the blade guide bearings are?Thanks!
Reply:Those older ones used 3/4" blades in my experience. I've not seen one yet with a 1" blade.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Mine uses a 3/4 blade. I would get it cleaned up and put a blade on it and see how it works. May not be original but may work just fine. I really like the wells bandsaws because of their adjustability. I "tuned" the guides on mine when I got it 14 yrs  ago and it still cuts just as straight today. Probably the only tool in my shop that gets used everyday.Lincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.
Reply:I have an 8m already, and love it. But I've run out of head room in the past with it, so I jumped at the chance to get another 2 inches.The manual for my serial number does show a 1" blade, and after pulling off the guards, I'm sure that's what it's supposed to be. The wheels have a channel in them where the 3/4" blade teeth have been cutting on the lower part of the wheels. I'm not sure now if a 1" blade will sit track correctly or will have a problem because of the damage to the wheels. It seems like it should work though.Now I need to convert it to single phase, then once I can fire it up I'll give it a try with each blade and see what it likes best.I'm going to take it apart, strip it down, and repaint it while I'm on the hunt for a good deal on a single phase motor or VFD.Looking forward to using it! The 8M I have is the main saw in my non profit fab shop in West Africa - and it gets used for many cuts each day. We've stack cut 40 pieces of bar at once - that's impressive to watch! It needed some work when I bought it also, but as you say, now that it's dialed in, cuts straight as an arrow.Hoping I can get this one up to that level as well! I'm partial to these as well, since I'm a Michigan boy and that's where they're made.
Reply:Call Wells and ask them, a great company still around.