Well done, you're making good progress.
I don't understand the three maple "leaf springs"? If they are to compensate for minor out of round differences in the two wheels, I suppose they would give a little. But if the blade seizes in the work, either the blade will slip on the wheel, or more likely the motor belt will slip. Barring that, the motor stalls. But absolutely nothing should pull hard enough to break those "springs".
Experience has taught me painfully, when the shit hits the fan, even if the motor switch is handy, it's often dangerous to let go with either hand. They make foot switches that plug in before the motor for $15.
Now, sally forth brave hobbit, bandsaw the Ents into furniture, but for god's sake, safety first.
