Abstract: A saw. In one embodiment, the saw includes a base, a table, a motor that rotates a blade, a sensor, a controller, and a display element. The table is movable with respect to the base. The blade is movable between a first, substantially vertical position and at least one angular position removed from the first position. The sensor includes an optical encoder disc, and generates and transmits a signal indicative of the angular position of the table with respect to the base or the angular position of the blade with respect to the first, substantially vertical position by monitoring one or more optical reference elements included on the optical encoder disc. The display element receives the conditioned signal from the controller and displays the angular position of the table with respect to the base or the angular position of the blade with respect to the first, substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A method of assembling a power tool, a power tool, a method of assembling an electrical device, and an electrical device includes a switched reluctance motor. The electrical device is preferably a hand-held power tool, however, any type of electrical device that includes a switched reluctance motor may benefit from any number of aspects of the invention. In one independent aspect, the invention provides a construction that reduces tolerance stack-up. In another independent aspect, the invention provides a self-contained electronics package that plugs into a switched reluctance motor to provide control operation of the switched reluctance motor. In another independent aspect, the invention provides enhanced cooling that increases the efficiency of the electrical device using a switched reluctance motor. In another independent aspect, the invention provides an encapsulated magnet that allows for contaminant free motor control over the life of the SR motor.

Abstract: A method of conducting an operation including a battery. The battery includes a cell having a voltage. Power is transferable between the cell and the electrical device. A controller is operable to control a function of the battery pack. The controller is also operable with a voltage at least one of equal to and greater than an operating voltage threshold. The cell is operable to selectively supply voltage to the controller. The method includes the act of enabling the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell is below the operating voltage threshold.