Good size on the wheels, I used 24" on mine, 1 1/4 blades are long sharpened away before fatigue takes them out. I haven't had a blade break in a long time. Your tensioner though, I think you should research more. I used a bolt & nut, kind of the same as your threaded rod. Problem is, there's no give, or take anywhere. As the blade heats up, it'll slack some, it just can't help it, all that length of steel. I went to a large die spring, I can't remember what size or how many pounds to compress it, but its a lot. Like I said, have not broken a blade in years. If I can find a pic of i'll post it.
