Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a latch hold mechanism, a swing arm pivotable about a pivot along a swing arm path, at least one alignment plate positioned adjacent to a portion of the swing arm when the swing arm is in a first position, a latch pin movable between a first latch pin position whereat the swing arm is biased against the at least one alignment plate and a second latch pin position whereat the swing arm is not biased by the latch pin, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the swing arm resulting in a bias on the latch pin in a direction toward the second latch pin position, and a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer a force to the swing arm when the swing arm is maintained at the first swing arm position.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a latch pin pivotable between a first position engaged with the swing arm assembly and a second position whereat the latch is not engaged with the swing arm assembly, an actuator configured to pivot the latch pin from the first position to the second position and to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position, and a control system configured to actuate the actuator in response to a sensed condition.

Abstract: A saw comprises a blade configured to perform a cut on a work piece at a cutting position. The saw includes a measurement device configured to determine a distance. The measurement device includes a laser generator configured to emit a laser beam. A laser interference member is provided on the work piece with a portion of the laser interference member in the path of the laser beam. The laser interference member comprises a reflective surface configured to reflect the laser beam and an adhesive surface configured to adhere to the work piece. A digital display provides an indication of the determined distance. In another embodiment, the measurement device is provided as a sensor wheel associated with the engagement surface. The sensor wheel is configured to rotate when the work piece is moved along the engagement surface and determine a distance the work piece has moved along the engagement surface.

Abstract: A table saw in one embodiment includes a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above a work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position, a first link arm with a first tracking component and a first slot, the first tracking component slidingly engaged with the swing arm assembly, a second link arm with a second tracking component engaged with the first slot, an actuator configured to pivot the second link arm from a first position whereat force from the first link arm acting on the tracking component is directed at a second link arm pivot toward a second position whereat the force is not directed at the second link arm pivot, and a control system configured to actuate the actuator in response to a sensed condition.

Abstract: A power saw having a reciprocating blade, including a housing having a handle portion for holding the saw; a variable speed motor in the housing for driving the reciprocating blade; a mechanism configured to move the reciprocating blade in a non-linear path; an electronic controller for controlling the operation of the motor; a trigger switch configured to provide an electrical signal to the controller that is proportional to the amount of travel that the switch is moved, wherein the signal causes the controller to operate the motor through a range of operating speeds; and a mode switch operatively connected to the controller and including a first mode providing normal operating speeds responsive to the trigger switch being selectively moved through its range of travel, and a second mode wherein the operating speeds are within the range of about 50% to about 80% of the normal operating speeds.

Abstract: A power miter saw comprising a base having a center portion configured to support a rotatable table and side portions on opposite sides of the center portion, the side portions having a flat working surface for supporting a work piece, a table rotatably connected to the saw base and having a zero miter angle position, a saw blade and motor assembly operatively connected to the table, the fence positioning surfaces being configured to accurately position a fence assembly relative to the table, a fence assembly extending between the base side portions having a front vertical contacting surface and an opposite rear surface, each of the base side portions having a generally vertical fence positioning surface extending downwardly substantially perpendicularly from the flat working surfaces, and a securing mechanism for applying a substantially horizontal holding force for holding the fence assembly securely to the vertical fence positioning surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a power table saw assembly that comprises a frame configured to retain a motor assembly for driving a rotatable blade, a table top assembly having a top surface with an opening through which a rotating blade can extend provided on the frame, and a base for supporting the frame thereon. A foldable extension table is pivotally connected to an axle fixedly provided in the base, for supporting a workpiece. The extension table is configured to be folded and pivoted about the axle to be stored within the base when the extension table is not in use. In one embodiment, the axle is provided in the rear of the base and generally perpendicular to the blade, so that the extension table can support a workpiece from the table top downstream of the blade. In another embodiment, the axle is provides on one side of the base and generally parallel to the blade, so that the extension table can support a workpiece that extends beyond the table top to one side of the blade.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a table saw including a table top having a generally rectangular top surface with front, rear and opposing side surfaces and having a slot through which a saw blade can extend, a tubular sub-frame for supporting the table saw, the sub-frame having an outer periphery generally coextensive with the outer periphery of the table top, front and rear vertical metal panels having upper and lower transverse mounting portions interconnecting the sub-frame and the table top and left and right vertical side panels made of a composite material mounted on the sub-frame and extending generally between the front and rear metal panels.

Abstract: An improved dust collection system for a miter saw comprising a hollow dust chute attached to a bevel post of a miter saw. The bevel post includes a top portion and a bottom portion and is pivotably attached to a miter saw table. The dust chute comprises an input port positioned to receive saw dust resulting from a cutting operation, an exit port and a funnel body extending from the input port to the exit port. At least a portion of the funnel body extends toward an opening located in a guard of a cutting arm assembly. The cutting arm assembly is pivotably connected to the top portion of the bevel post; wherein, the dust chute remains substantially stationary, as the cutting arm assembly is moved during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a housing, a nose assembly having a fastener passage configured to allow fasteners to be advanced therethrough, and a safety contact assembly movable in relation to the nose assembly between a disable position and an enable position. A magazine assembly is configured to supply fasteners toward the nose assembly, and a driver is configured to cause a fastener located in the fastener passage to be advanced within the nose assembly. The nose assembly includes (i) a base member defining at least a portion of the fastener passage and has a first recess and a second recess which are spaced apart from each other, (ii) a first protection insert located in the first recess, and (iii) a second protection insert located in the second recess. The base member defines a leading side surface and a trailing side surface. The leading side surface defines an ejection orifice that is aligned with the fastener passage.

Abstract: A detachable operating handle for an elongated handheld portable power tool with a nose portion having an output shaft and a slidable operating switch having an outer recess and being configured to slide between on and off positions, the handle comprising a housing configured to cooperatively mate with the power tool housing and be attached at least to the nose portion of the power tool, the housing having an elongated handle portion, a trigger located in the bottom of the handle portion positioned to be moved between depressed and rest positions by a user's finger while holding the handle portion, a linkage mechanism for interconnecting the trigger and the switch, and the linkage mechanism having a lockout mechanism for preventing the trigger from moving the switch when the lockout mechanism is in a locked position and permitting the trigger to move the switch when in a release position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a power miter saw of the type which has an upper fixed blade guard for encasing upper reaches of an installed saw blade without encasing the blade arbor, and a lower swinging blade guard for covering the lower reaches of an installed blade when saw is in its rest position and for exposing the saw blade when moved to its operational position, the saw comprising an elongated linkage mechanism having opposite end portions interconnecting a frame support and the lower blade guard for moving the lower blade guard in response to movement of the saw between the rest and operational positions, such that the lower blade guard covers the lower reaches of the blade when the saw is in its rest position and uncovers the lower reaches of the blade when the saw is moved to its operational position, the linkage mechanism being configured to be selectively detachable from the frame support, thereby enabling the lower blade guard to be placed in at least first and second positions wherein the first position enab

Abstract: A miter saw with a bevel lock arrangement comprises a base with a bevel arm configured to rotate about a first axis that is substantially parallel to a support surface provided on the base. A cutting arm is pivotably connected to the bevel arm and configured to rotate about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A locking surface is connected to the base and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface. A clamping surface is moveably connected to the bevel arm and configured to engage the locking surface. An actuator is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator is configured to force the clamping surface against the locking surface when the actuator is in the locked position and to release the clamping surface from the locking surface when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A miter saw with a cutting alignment device includes a base with a work surface provided thereon. A bevel support is pivotable with respect to the base and a cutting blade is supported by the bevel support. A dust chute is adjustably secured to the bevel support and pivots with respect to the base when the bevel support pivots. The dust chute includes mounts that allow lateral adjustment of the dust chute with respect to the bevel support. A laser alignment device is positioned on the dust chute and configured to emit a beam of light toward the work surface. The dust chute includes a receptacle designed and dimensioned to releasably hold the laser alignment device. Because the laser alignment device is retained on the dust chute, adjustment of the dust chute also results in adjustment of a beam of light emitted from the laser alignment device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a fence for a power saw having a table top with generally vertical front, rear and opposite side surfaces, at least one side surface having an elongated side element extending from a front portion toward said rear surface, said side element having a cross section defining a vertical groove with an inner vertical surface that merge into upper and lower opposed extensions that define upper and lower undercuts, said fence comprising an elongated fence member having a generally vertical front planar surface for engaging a work piece, a table extension having a top surface area coextensive with said saw table top and operatively connected to said fence member, said extension providing support for a work piece that extends beyond a side of the table top surface, said fence being configured so that the front planar surface can be positioned in front of the vertical front surface of the saw, i.e., off of the top surface.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a power table saw that comprises a base, a table top with a opening through which a rotating blade can extend, the table top assembly extending outwardly beyond the base assembly on at least one side thereof, front and rear rails extending across the width of the table top, a fence having a clamping handle configured to be selectively moved between clamping and releasing positions, thereby enabling the fence to be adjustably mounted to the front and rear rails for selectively positioning the same at different operating locations relative to the blade, the fence being removable from the front and rear rails when the clamping handle is released, the front and rear rails being configured to retain the fence in the operating locations and to also clamp the fence in a stored location wherein the fence is underneath the table top surface.

Abstract: A miter saw comprises a base and a bevel support pivotable with respect to the base. A cutting blade is supported by the bevel support and moveable between a plurality of cutting positions. The miter saw further comprises a bevel stop member moveably connected to the base between a plurality of stop positions. The plurality of stop positions include a first stop position where the bevel stop member is configured to stop the bevel support at a bevel angle of less than forty-five degrees. The plurality of stop positions also include a second stop position where the bevel stop member is configured to stop the bevel support at a bevel angle of about forty-five degrees. Furthermore, the plurality of stop positions include a third stop position where the bevel stop member is configured to allow the bevel support to pivot to a bevel angle of greater than forty-five degrees.

Abstract: A miter saw with work surface extensions comprises a base with a rotatable table positioned on the base. The miter saw further comprises a bevel support is that is pivotable with respect to a table surface. A cutting blade is supported by the bevel support. A work surface extension is moveably connected to the base between a retracted position and an extended position. The work surface extension provides a work surface that is substantially planar with the table surface. At least one elongated member is fixed to the work surface extension and moveably engages the base. A substantial portion of the at least one elongated member is positioned within or under the base when the work surface extension is in the retracted position. The substantial portion of the at least one elongated member is positioned between the base and the work surface extension when the at least one elongated member is in the extended position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a power miter saw of the type which has an upper fixed blade guard and a lower swinging blade guard for covering the lower reach of an installed blade when the saw is in its rest position and for exposing the lower reach of the saw blade when moved to its operational position, the saw comprising an elongated linkage mechanism interconnecting a frame support and the lower blade guard for moving the lower blade guard in response to movement of the saw between the rest and operational positions, such that the lower blade guard covers the lower reach of the blade when the saw is in its rest position and uncovers the blade when the saw is moved to its operational position, the linkage mechanism being configured to have an adjustable length and be placed in at least first and second positions wherein the first position enables normal movement of the saw between its rest and operational positions, and the second position wherein the lower blade guard is raised to expose a blade arbor to facilitate cha

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present magnetic locking system can be used for releasably locking a first component to a second component. In one embodiment, the locking system includes a ferro-magnetic member associated with the first component, where the ferro-magnetic member is made of a ferro-magnetic material, and a housing attached to the second component and positioned adjacent to the ferro-magnetic member. Preferably, the housing includes first and second blocks that sandwich an intermediate block. Further, the first and second blocks are each preferably made of a ferro-magnetic material and the intermediate block is made of a non-ferro-magnetic material. Additionally, there is also an aperture formed within the housing, with a permanent magnet rotatably seated within the aperture.