I bought this saw when the REA came to western ND! That was the fall of 1953. I had done a small amount of using a coping saw before that.
It started life as an 11" saw. Sometime in the early 70's I need to make a few bigger things than the throat depth made possible. I took it to 3 different welding shops and was told it was impossible 3 times to lengthen.
I does have very limited cutting speed and depth though. I have cut over 3" deep material--way back when-- but it was extremely slow going.
I happened to mention to my uncle one day that I had tried to get it enlarged and was told it was impossible, because the arm is spring steel and cannot be welded!
He told me it could so I sent the saw with him. It was returned as a much more usable saw. He even added the back foot to help the stability.
I actually used it last week just for the heck of it. It has been running on home made parts since sometime in the early 60's when the bottom blade hook had broken and Sears told me NONE AVAILQABLE. We then made one.
Just thought that I would share this.
I wish my other Craftsman tools ahd stood the test of time 1/10 that well! I buy none of them now of anything!