Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a hack saw blade extends through a pin holder mounting slot of a hack saw frame and applies tension to a hack saw blade attached thereto. The tensioning mechanism includes a first portion having a configuration that, with respect to a configuration of the slot, permits rotation of the tensioning mechanism when the first portion extends through the mounting slot. The tensioning mechanism also includes a second portion having a configuration that, with respect to the configuration of the slot, engages into the slot only in select rotational orientations thereof relative to the slot, wherein one of said orientations is angularly separated from another orientation by a substantially set rotational angle of the second portion. The tensioning mechanism further includes first and second mechanisms configured to prevent removal of the tensioning mechanism from the mounting slot once extended therethrough.

Abstract: Compact tube and pipe expanders and flaring tools requiring reduced actuation force by a user. A flaring tool includes a flaring block and a yoke clampable to the flaring block by a clamping mechanism. The yoke includes a housing having a threaded release portion movable between a first position and a second position. A flaring cone of the yoke has a tapered flaring surface adapted to engage an internal surface of a tube and deform at least the engaged portion of the tube against the flaring block into a flared condition. A threaded feed screw is operatively coupleable to the flaring cone to move the flaring cone into engagement with the internal surface of the tube to deform it. The tool has a handle to rotate the feed screw.

Abstract: A hole cutter having an extruded plate cap and methods and apparatuses for making such caps and hole cutters. The plate cap has planar opposing external and internal surfaces with an extruded hub extending axially inwardly from the internal surface. An aperture extends axially through the hub from the external surface. At least a portion of the aperture can be threaded for threaded engagement with a driving arbor. The hub is long enough so that the threaded portion contains at least two full threads. A blade body with a cutting edge is attached to the cap to form a hole cutter.

Abstract: A recip saw blade has a blade body and a cutting edge extending along the blade body and defined by a repeating pattern of two consecutive teeth. Each of the two consecutive teeth includes a primary clearance surface defining a relatively steep primary clearance angle, a secondary clearance surface defining a relatively shallow secondary clearance angle, a tip, a rake face located on the opposite side of the tip relative to the primary clearance surface, a gullet defining a depth, a first gullet radius located on an opposite side of the gullet relative to the rake face, and a second gullet radius located between the gullet and the rake face, wherein the depth of the gullet is greater than the second gullet radius.

Abstract: A saw blade including cutting teeth, having at least one of chip-limiters protruding from the teeth or secondary teeth in the gullets of the cutting teeth configured to mitigate the blade from over-feeding. The chip limiters and/or secondary teeth provide that only a limited portion of an object that the saw blade encounters during cutting falls below the cutting tips of the cutting teeth. The chip limiters and/or secondary teeth also assist the cutting teeth in cutting.

Abstract: A drill bit has a shank adapted to be attached to a power tool and a cutting portion adapted to drill a hole in a material. A collar is spaced along the length of the drill bit to set a depth distance that the drill bit is allowed to be inserted into a material being drilled. The drill bit further comprises a first engagement structure. A sleeve comprises a second engagement structure that is releasably engageable with the first engagement structure. The sleeve further comprises a coupling mechanism for connecting the sleeve to a fastener driver.

Abstract: A hole cutter has a substantially cylindrical blade body defining a blade body circumference, a cutting edge formed on one end of the blade body, and an axially-elongated slot formed through the substantially cylindrical blade body. The axially-elongated slot is configured to receive chips flowing from the cutting edge within the interior of the blade body and (i) into the slot, and/or (ii) through the slot, to prevent the collection of such chips within the interior of the blade body and/or at an interface between the blade body and work piece. The axially-elongated slot defines a first end adjacent to the cutting edge, a second end axially spaced further from the cutting edge, and a slot area. The hole cutter further defines a total slot area to blade body circumference ratio within the range of about 0.1 to about 0.3 depending on the size of the hole cutter.

Abstract: A hack saw comprises a proximal end, a proximal handle located at the proximal end, and a distal end spaced from the proximal handle for mounting a hack saw blade therebetween. The handle includes a proximal cavity at a base end thereof, dimensioned to allow a portion of a proximal pin holder therethrough, and a proximal pin holder retaining member within the proximal handle proximally spaced from the proximal cavity, defining a slot therebetween for retention of a pin holder therein. The pin holder retaining member is positioned to form an interference with the proximal pin holder when the pin holder is located in the handle and prevents the proximal pin holder from dislodging or being removed therefrom.

Abstract: A recip saw blade has a blade body and a cutting edge extending along the blade body and defined by a repeating pattern of two consecutive teeth suitable for abusive cutting applications. The two consecutive teeth, which may be bi-metal, include a high tooth and a relatively low tooth in comparison to the high tooth. Each high tooth and low tooth include a primary clearance surface defining a relatively shallow primary clearance angle that is about 28° or less, and a secondary clearance surface defining a relatively steep secondary clearance angle in comparison to the primary clearance angle. The primary clearance angle of the high tooth is steeper than the primary clearance angle of the low tooth, such as between about 23° and 28°, and the secondary clearance angle of the high tooth is shallower than the secondary clearance angle of the low tooth.

Abstract: An arbor for quick change and standard hole cutters, wherein each hole cutter includes a central aperture and at least one drive pin aperture. The arbor comprises an arbor body including an end portion engageable within the central aperture, a drive shank opposite the end portion for engaging a power tool, and an aperture for receiving a pilot bit. The arbor further comprises a drive pin plate and/or collar having at least one drive pin receivable in a corresponding drive pin aperture of the hole saw for drivingly engaging the hole saw. The arbor, in at least one embodiment, further comprises a pilot bit mechanism for engaging and releasing a quick change or standard pilot bit.