no Tom its just a simple back and forward machine I suppose adding a lifter for the back stroke wouldnt be too difficult but I was in a hurry to get some stuff cut so went for simplicity.
I am planning when time permits to build a larger machine that will use the larger 350mm blades maybe I will fit a lifter to that one but thats far in the future, my next project is going to be a jacobs gear hobber and I will try to take better progress pics for that one.