Abstract: A power tool coupling system for coupling two boom members of a split-boom power tool. The coupling system includes a first section and a second section. The first section is adapted to be fixedly attached to an end of a first one of the boom members. The first section includes an aperture for receiving a locating member on a second one of the boom members. The second section is movably connected to the first section. The second section is adapted to depress the locating member, while the locating member is located in the aperture of the first section, when the second section is moved from a first to a second position.

Abstract: An ergonomic miter saw is provided having a base and a saw arm assembly with the saw arm assembly pivotally affixed at a fixed end to the base and provided with a distal end having a handle extending outwardly therefrom. The central region of the arm assembly includes a rotary spindle supporting a cutting disk. A handle is preferably provided with an elongate grip portion sized for the user's fingers and a palm pad portion extending outwardly therefrom to underlie the heal of the user's hand to minimize bending torque on the user's wrist as the arm is lowered. Ideally, the handle is rotated in a direction opposite that the cutting disk is tilted. Preferably, the handle is adjustable oriented about the arm axis in a direction opposite that the saw blade is tiltable so that the deviation for horizontal of the handle can be minimized when the miter saw is used in a tilted cutting disk mode.

Abstract: An object sensor for sensing objects hidden from view behind a first wall surface. The object sensor has a housing having a front surface with a display and a rear surface. The object sensor also has a sensing system and provides additional functions. The additional functions can include a distance detector, a computing system working in conjunction with the distance detector to determine the distance between the object sensor and a second wall, a tracking mechanism, and a projector to project a beam at predetermined distances. The object sensor may further have a level or a location marker.

Abstract: A compound miter saw having a bevel adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination of a cutting disk relative to a top surface of a turntable. The bevel adjustment mechanism includes a first knuckle for adjusting the angle of inclination of the cutting disk about a tilt axis and a second knuckle for adjusting the upward and downward movement of the cutting disk. The first knuckle includes a fixed portion mounted adjacent the outer periphery of the turntable and a rotating portion cooperating with the fixed portion. A scale and indicator are provided on the fixed and rotating portions to measure the angle of inclination of the saw assembly relative to the tilt axis. A locking mechanism secures the rotating portion to the fixed portion to secure the saw in a cutting position.

Abstract: A rotary direction indicator provided for use with a rotating element which causes the rotation of an associated member. The rotary direction indicator has an internally compliant body fixed in a normal to a central axis which has formed thereon a pair of arrows which appear to be three-dimensional moving in a clockwise direction. One of the three-dimensional arrows appears to plunge into the surface of the body while the other of three-dimensional arrows appear to rise out of the surface of the body thereby providing a visual indication of a correspondence between the direction of rotation of the rotary element and the movement of the associated member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved miter gauge for retaining and adjustably positioning a workpiece. The miter gauge includes a fence frame pivotally mounted to a base member for adjusting the workpiece to be cut at a user selected angle. The fence frame includes a fence surface for positioning the workpiece. The fence surface is opposed by a quick-adjusting stopping unit mountable to the base member for clamping the workpiece therebetween.

Abstract: An orbital sander is provided having a number of novel features including a high speed permanent magnet DC motor having a relatively flat rpm versus torque curve. The sander includes an AC to DC power supply, a remotely located on/off switch operated by a switch actuator bar extending transversely through the housing enabling the operator to actuate the on/off switch by alternatively pushing opposed ends of the actuator bar. The orbital sander further includes a fan having non-uniformly spaced blades, eliminating the need for a conventional counterweight, and a dust outlet adapted to be alternatively connected to a dust canister or alternate size collector vacuum hoses.

Abstract: A rotary direction indicator provided for use with a rotating element which causes the rotation of an associated member. The rotary direction indicator has an internally compliant body fixed in a normal to a central axis which has formed thereon a pair of arrows which appear to be three-dimensional moving in a clockwise direction. One of the three-dimensional arrows appears to plunge into the surface of the body while the other of three-dimensional arrows appear to rise out of the surface of the body thereby providing a visual indication of a correspondence between the direction of rotation of the rotary element and the movement of the associated member.

Abstract: A pivoting arm cut-off saw is provided having a base, a cutting arm assembly and a lock bar. Cutting arm assembly is pivotally attached to the base and shiftable between a raised and lowered position. A lock bar interposed between the base and the cutting arm is slidably moveable between an unlock position where cutting arm assembly is free to pivot and a locked position in which a locking portion of a lock bar is interposed between a fixed stop on the base and a rotating stop on the cutting arm. The lock bar is provided with a grip portion to be grasped by the user enabling the lock bar to be moved between a pair of limit stops.

Abstract: A pivoting arm cut-off saw is provided having a base, a cutting arm assembly and a lock bar. Cutting arm assembly is pivotally attached to the base and shiftable between a raised and lowered position. A lock bar interposed between the base and the cutting arm is slidably moveable between an unlock position where cutting arm assembly is free to pivot and a locked position in which a locking portion of a lock bar is interposed between a fixed stop on the base and a rotating stop on the cutting arm. The lock bar is provided with a grip portion to be grasped by the user enabling the lock bar to be moved between a pair of limit stops.