Skil has been making this basic model for well over 25 plus years now. I purchased my first one when I bought my first house at age 25. I'm now 50. It just recently gave up the ghost a couple of days ago.
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br /Just like a wheel bearing on your car, these things have a main bearing that goes bad after 300-400 hours of use. The motor brushes should also be replaced at the same time as the bearing.
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br /I'll probably end up fixing the old one with a new bearing and bushings as it would seem a shame to throw away an old friend.
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br /I definitely will not be taking the old one to my local Goodwill store and dumping it off for the next guy to pick up and hazardously use with worn bearings. That would be bad Karma.
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br /So if this new saw is constructed every bit as good as they were being built way back when I bought my first one, then this replacement should last me up until age 75. Not sure if I should still be using one by that time, but that's my game plan.
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br /Highly recommended for the non-professional for general around the home use.

Recently I retired my fathers old Craftsman saw. It was about 25 years old, weighted about 9 pounds, been dropped any number of times, and the cord was patched (I cut it 4 times), and it cut almost square.
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br /I bought this saw as a replacement mostly cause I got a good deal on it. After so many years lugging around my dads old saw, we nick named it the Mayflower, I've been very happy with the switch. The depth adjustment is easy. It comes with a wrench that stores in the guard so you don't have to head back to the shed when you need to change the blade.
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br /Maybe I just have future shock but I think this is a great saw for the weekender.
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My advice is to spend more money, and get a better saw. I wasted my money, save yours.