Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.

Abstract: A circular power saw includes a housing enclosing a motor and a circular saw blade rotatably driven by the motor. The housing is pivotally mounted to a base so that the saw blade may be positioned in a plurality of cutting planes. An adjustment member is mounted to the base and connected to the housing to releasably retain the housing in a plurality of positions corresponding to the different cutting planes. The adjustment member has first and second stops that correspond to first and second planar positions of the cutting blade and a stop engagement member is adapted to engage the first and second stops. The stop engagement member has a first configuration wherein the first and second positions planar positions define the limits of the planar positioning of the blade. The stop engagement member has a second configuration where at least one planar position different than the first and second planar positions defines a limit of planar positioning of the blade.

Abstract: An optical system for projecting an alignment marker on to a workpiece relative to the circular blade of a power saw. The light projection system projects a planar beam of light along a plane defined by one side of the blade to designate the location at which that side of the blade will enter the workpiece. An adjustment mechanism may be included to allow movement of the light projection system so that the planar beam of light can be selectively located parallel to the plane defined by either side of the blade.

Abstract: A miter saw with an optical system for projecting an optical alignment marker onto a workpiece. The miter saw has a base, a turntable rotatably supported by the base, a fence disposed above the base for supporting the orientation of the workpiece located on the base, a support coupled to the rear portion of the turntable, and a cutting apparatus including a blade for cutting the workpiece. The cutting apparatus is pivotally coupled to the support for positioning the blade from a raised position above the workpiece to an operational position for engagement with the workpiece. The light projection system is attached to the cutting apparatus for projecting an optical alignment marker onto the workpiece so that the location at which the blade engages the workpiece is in a selectably adjustable relationship with respect to the position of the optical alignment marker on the workpiece.

Abstract: A straddle block is used with a table saw having a rip fence, and consists of a body having a substantially vertically extending fixed leg, a bridge extending from the fixed leg, an adjustable leg attached to and vertically displaceable relative to the bridge. The vertically adjustable leg may be reversed for right or left-handed use, and has opposing, substantially horizontal, rectilinear edges for engaging an upper surface of a piece of stock to be cut on the table saw, and opposing outwardly extending step portions adjacent an end of each rectilinear edge for engaging the trailing end of the stock as it is pushed across the saw table. The bridge spaces the fixed leg from the adjustable leg sufficiently to receive a rip fence therebetween such that the straddle block may slidably engage the rip fence without skewing relative thereto.

Abstract: An electric space heater having a pair of feet which are initially detached from the heater body to permit shipping in a small carton. The heater body has downwardly projecting fingers which are resilient in order to snap into receptacles of the feet when the feet are applied to the heater body for permanent attachment thereto. Curved ribs project downwardly between the opposing sets of fingers and act to upset the heater if an attempt is made to operate it without the feet attached. A tilt switch deactivates the heater when it is upset. When the feet are attached to the heater body, the ribs fit in sockets of the feet to permit normal heater operation.

Abstract: A spool feed mechanism for a non-metallic, line grass trimmer wherein the free end of the cutting line is spun at high speed for cutting vegetation, includes a spool of cutting line mounted for rotation about the central axis thereof. The spool has first and second ratchet wheels located at respective ends. Each ratchet wheel includes a set of ratchet teeth, one set of which is angularly displaced with respect to the other. A U-shaped, resilient member having first and second pawls provided on the legs thereof is mounted adjacent the spool with the pawls positioned for alternate engagement and disengagement of the respective ratchet wheels. A manually operated trigger assembly coupled to the member moves the latter from a normal position to disengage the first pawl and ratchet wheel and to engage the second pawl and ratchet wheel, whereby the spool is permitted to rotate incrementally to feed a predetermined length of cutting line.