i’m very new to woodworking and the machines.  i just picked up an older model jet 14″ bandsaw, model jbs14 with a 1 hp motor yesterday for $150.   today i decided to mess around with it and try and get it adjusted.  i was reading the instruction book, and i started it up and made a few cuts and everything was going well.   Then i noticed some plastic that had melted started to fall on the tabletop, then a little more, then the blade stopped.  the  top tire looks melted on the inner edge and certain spots have some pretty decent size chunks missing.  i tried to adjust the saw again, but the same thing happened again.  so now the tire is messed up a little bit more.  stupid question #1  is the tire shot?  i found some tires for sale online, and it looks like they cost around $25!!!!  what did i do to cause this problem, so that when i buy a new tire, or 2 new tires that this doesn’t happen again?    should i buy a rubber tire, or the urethane tires?   I also noticed that the inner edge thats up against the blade on the top guides are not flat.  they look as if they are worn by the blade.  is this normal?  should i file them flat?  or just buy new ones?  can u suggest any guides?   Also how tight should i tension the blade?  It seems difficult to tell when the blade has enough tension.  HELP PLEASE.

thanks,

barry b