Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a radial fan assembly. The radial fan assembly is configured to direct exhaust radially outwardly and axially away from a user of the angle grinder. Brush card assemblies for an angle grinder are also provided. The brush card assemblies provide for the securing of brush cards to a field case of the angle grinder by the interface between the field case and brush cards. Additionally, a spindle lock mechanism and a safety mechanism for an angle grinder are provided.

Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a radial fan assembly. The radial fan assembly is configured to direct exhaust radially outwardly and axially away from a user of the angle grinder. Brush card assemblies for an angle grinder are also provided. The brush card assemblies provide for the securing of brush cards to a field case of the angle grinder by the interface between the field case and brush cards. Additionally, a spindle lock mechanism and a safety mechanism for an angle grinder are provided.

Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a radial fan assembly. The radial fan assembly is configured to direct exhaust radially outwardly and axially away from a user of the angle grinder. Brush card assemblies for an angle grinder are also provided. The brush card assemblies provide for the securing of brush cards to a field case of the angle grinder by the interface between the field case and brush cards. Additionally, a spindle lock mechanism and a safety mechanism for an angle grinder are provided.

Abstract: A power tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a motor driving a member, a switch coupled across windings of the motor that dynamically brakes the motor, and a mechanical brake that brakes speed of the member. In an aspect, the combined dynamic and mechanical braking brakes speed of the member to a desired speed in no more than about two second. In an aspect, the motor is an electronically commutated motor and the power tool includes a controller that electronically commutates the motor by switching switches that switch power to the motor in an electronic commutation sequence and switches the switches to electronically brake the motor.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system having a wafer carrier assembly is provided. The wafer carrier assembly includes a wafer carrier support frame, a wafer carrier head housing rotable mounted on the wafer carrier support frame, with a base including a bladder bellows operating connecting the wafer carrier base to the wafer carrier head housing such that rotational torque is transferred from the wafer carrier head housing to the wafer carrier base. Further provided is a retaining ring, operatively connected to a retaining ring bearing which allows relative axial motion while constraining relative radial motion between the retaining ring and the wafer carrier head housing; and a retaining ring bellows, operatively connecting the retaining ring bearing to urge the retaining ring against a polishing member.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system having a wafer carrier assembly is provided. The wafer carrier assembly includes a wafer carrier support frame, a wafer carrier head housing rotable mounted on the wafer carrier support frame, with a base including a bladder bellows operating connecting the wafer carrier base to the wafer carrier head housing such that rotational torque is transferred from the wafer carrier head housing to the wafer carrier base. Further provided is a retaining ring, operatively connected to a retaining ring bearing which allows relative axial motion while constraining relative radial motion between the retaining ring and the wafer carrier head housing; and a retaining ring bellows, operatively connecting the retaining ring bearing to urge the retaining ring against a polishing member.

Abstract: A power tool is a “low profile” power tool, that is the overall height of the power tool is sufficiently small that a user can grasp the top of the power tool with the user's hand and the hand will be positioned relative close to the bottom of the power tool compared with existing power tools. The low profile power tool uses a low profile motor having a diameter to lamination height ratio of at least 2:1. In an aspect of the invention, the motor is an electronically commutated “pancake” style motor. In an aspect of the invention, the power tool is a random orbital sander or an orbital sander having a motor that provides at least 40 watts of power. In an aspect of the invention, the sander has a mechanical brake that brakes the orbital mechanism and the motor is dynamically braked.

Abstract: A frame for a portable power sander, the frame convertible into a stand for supporting the power sander in a stationary orientation wherein the abrasive belt is accessible, said frame comprising: a base; a leg connectable to the base, and a fence assembly connectable to the base.

Abstract: An electrically powered belt sander comprising a housing, a dust flow path defined by the housing, a motor mounted in the housing at a first location and having an output shaft, a fan connectable to the motor output shaft and rotateably mounted in the housing at a second location a distance from the motor output shaft, a belt connectable between the motor output shaft and the fan whereby the rotation of the motor output shaft drives the rotation of the fan, and a damper located in the dust flow path and operable for blocking the dust flow path.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver for reciprocating the saw blade to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holder is used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle of the hand held driver. The bit holder includes a connecting mechanism for connecting the bit holder to the hand held driver. The blade holder provides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. The blade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a first holding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rear end and a second holding mechanism for coupling the saw blade to the holder at the forward end.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver for reciprocating the saw blade to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holder is used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle of the hand held driver. The bit holder includes connecting mechanism for connecting the bit holder to the hand held driver. The blade holder provides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. The blade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a first holding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rear end and a second holding mechanism for coupling the saw blade to the holder at the forward end.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver for reciprocating the saw blade to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holder is used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle of the hand held driver. The bit holder includes connecting mechanism for connecting the bit holder to the hand held driver. The blade holder provides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. The blade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a first holding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rear end and a second holding mechanism for coupling the saw blade to the holder at the forward end.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver for reciprocating the saw blade to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holder is used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle of the hand held driver. The bit holder includes connecting mechanism for connecting the bit holder to the hand held driver. The blade holder provides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. The blade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a first holding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rear end and a second holding mechanism for coupling the saw blade to the holder at the forward end.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system having a wafer carrier assembly is provided. The wafer carrier assembly includes a wafer carrier support frame, a wafer carrier head housing rotable mounted on the wafer carrier support frame, with a base including a bladder bellows operating connecting the wafer carrier base to the wafer carrier head housing such that rotational torque is transferred from the wafer carrier head housing to the wafer carrier base. Further provided is a retaining ring, operatively connected to a retaining ring bearing which allows relative axial motion while constraining relative radial motion between the retaining ring and the wafer carrier head housing; and a retaining ring bellows, operatively connecting the retaining ring bearing to urge the retaining ring against a polishing member.