Abstract: A power tool is disclosed having a compact AC switch assembly. An electric motor driving the power tool is contained within a housing that includes a handle. A trigger is slidingly received in the handle and moves in an axis of trigger travel along a trigger travel distance extending between an extended position of the trigger and a depressed position. A trigger switch including a printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical communication with the trigger and controls the electric motor in accordance with trigger position. The printed circuit board has a plurality of conductive traces that are sequentially arranged and linearly aligned adjacent the trigger in a direction that is transverse to the axis of trigger travel to reduce the width of the printed circuit board to a value that is less than or equal to three times the trigger travel distance.

Abstract: A power tool is disclosed having a compact AC switch assembly. An electric motor driving the power tool is contained within a housing that includes a handle. A trigger is slidingly received in the handle and moves in an axis of trigger travel along a trigger travel distance extending between an extended position of the trigger and a depressed position. A trigger switch including a printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical communication with the trigger and controls the electric motor in accordance with trigger position. The printed circuit board has a plurality of conductive traces that are sequentially arranged and linearly aligned adjacent the trigger in a direction that is transverse to the axis of trigger travel to reduce the width of the printed circuit board to a value that is less than or equal to three times the trigger travel distance.

Abstract: A power tool is disclosed having a compact AC switch assembly. An electric motor driving the power tool is contained within a housing that includes a handle. A trigger is slidingly received in the handle and moves in an axis of trigger travel along a trigger travel distance extending between an extended position of the trigger and a depressed position. A trigger switch including a printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical communication with the trigger and controls the electric motor in accordance with trigger position. The printed circuit board has a plurality of conductive traces that are sequentially arranged and linearly aligned adjacent the trigger in a direction that is transverse to the axis of trigger travel to reduce the width of the printed circuit board to a value that is less than or equal to three times the trigger travel distance.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor, an output member driven by the motor, and a reaming attachment coupled to the output member. The reaming attachment has a front end portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and a reaming portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to remove material from an end surface of a conduit. A rotational motion sensor in the housing is operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about an axis. A controller receives a signal indicative of rotational motion from the sensor, determines a direction of the rotational motion of the housing, and drives the motor in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotational motion of the housing.

Abstract: A system for identifying a type of a power tool, the system comprising: a power tool having an electric motor; and a usage attachment configured to couple to the power tool, the usage attachment having a vibration sensor that generates vibration data when the power tool vibrates, a memory that stores the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and an identification subsystem that receives the vibration data from the memory, and identifies the type of the power tool by comparing the received vibration data to predetermined vibration data of a known type of power tool.

Abstract: A string trimmer with a controller that brakes an electric motor so that the electric motor can selectively generate a moment that is used as a control signal for a line pay-out mechanism.

Abstract: An impact driver having an impact driver control system which can activate a driver release. The activation of a driver release can be controlled by an electronic controller which can be set to activate a driver release when parameters of the impact drivers meet specified conditions.

Abstract: A method for operating a shearing tool that includes: operating a first switch to control a drive unit to drive a blade of a blade set; and operating a second switch to cause the drive unit to operate in an anti-binding mode in which a direction of an input to the drive unit is alternated at least twice. A shearing tool is also provided.

Abstract: A power tool with a chuck and a tool body having a housing, a motor received in the housing, a light array mounted to the housing, and an output spindle extending through the light array and which is rotationally driven by the motor. The chuck has a chuck body, a plurality of jaws, and an outer sleeve. A rear end of the chuck body is rotatably mounted on the output spindle. The chuck body has a plurality of jaw apertures and a plurality of light holes. The jaw apertures and the light holes extend through a front surface of the chuck body. Each of the jaws is received in a corresponding one of the jaw apertures. The outer sleeve is disposed about the jaws and the chuck body. Light emanating from the light array is transmitted through the light holes to illuminate a zone in front of the chuck body.

Abstract: A benchtop tool system having a broad variety of interchangeable heads and types of tools. Each interchangeable head can be a tool having a common attachment interface. The interchangeable tools can be engaged to and driven by a base unit which can be supported by a support arm. The support arm can be movable to configure the orientation of a tool to a desired position. The benchtop tool system can have a detachable stand which allows the benchtop tool system to be used in a variety of operating environments.

Abstract: A system for identifying a type of a power tool, the system comprising: a power tool having an electric motor; and a usage attachment configured to couple to the power tool, the usage attachment having a vibration sensor that generates vibration data when the power tool vibrates, a memory that stores the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and an identification subsystem that receives the vibration data from the memory, and identifies the type of the power tool by comparing the received vibration data to predetermined vibration data of a known type of power tool.

Abstract: A power tool with a chuck and a tool body having a housing, a motor received in the housing, a light array mounted to the housing, and an output spindle extending through the light array and which is rotationally driven by the motor. The chuck has a chuck body, a plurality of jaws, and an outer sleeve. A rear end of the chuck body is rotatably mounted on the output spindle. The chuck body has a plurality of jaw apertures and a plurality of light holes. The jaw apertures and the light holes extend through a front surface of the chuck body. Each of the jaws is received in a corresponding one of the jaw apertures. The outer sleeve is disposed about the jaws and the chuck body. Light emanating from the light array is transmitted through the light holes to illuminate a zone in front of the chuck body.

Abstract: A sprayer can include a sprayer body, a reservoir coupled to the sprayer body, a cleaning fluid reservoir coupled to the sprayer body and a pump assembly arranged within the sprayer body and coupled to the reservoir and the cleaning fluid reservoir. The pump assembly can include a pump barrel that defines a central aperture, a piston arranged within the central aperture, a solenoid coupled to the piston and configured to reciprocate the piston within the central aperture during operation of the sprayer, and a manifold assembly coupled to the pump barrel and including a valve member movable between a first position and a second position. The valve member can fluidly couple the central aperture with the reservoir in the first position and fluidly couple the central aperture with the cleaning fluid reservoir in the second position.

Abstract: A power tool is disclosed having a compact AC switch assembly. An electric motor driving the power tool is contained within a housing that includes a handle. A trigger is slidingly received in the handle and moves in an axis of trigger travel along a trigger travel distance extending between an extended position of the trigger and a depressed position. A trigger switch including a printed circuit board is disposed in mechanical communication with the trigger and controls the electric motor in accordance with trigger position. The printed circuit board has a plurality of conductive traces that are sequentially arranged and linearly aligned adjacent the trigger in a direction that is transverse to the axis of trigger travel to reduce the width of the printed circuit board to a value that is less than or equal to three times the trigger travel distance.

Abstract: A power tool can have a compact power tool handle. A compact power tool handle can be used in a jigsaw, or any other power tool with a handle. Optionally, the power tool can have a compact power tool handle which has an AC compact variable switch which can control the speed of a motor of the power tool.

Abstract: A method is provided for setting a fastener in a workpiece. The method includes: monitoring a parameter of the power tool during operation of the power tool, where the parameter is indicative of the placement of a fastener being driven by the power tool in relation to the workpiece; detecting, a change in the parameter, where the detected change in the parameter indicates that the power tool became disengaged with the fastener; modifying operation of the power tool in response to the detected change in the parameter; subsequently detecting a second change in the parameter; and interrupting transmission of torque to the output spindle in response the detected second change in the parameter, thereby properly setting the placement of the fastener in relation to the workpiece.

Abstract: A clamp arrangement for releasably securing an accessory to an oscillating power tool can include a tool body including a motor that drives an output member. A clamp assembly can include a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp member of the clamp assembly is offset from the accessory permitting removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly. A lever can have a user engagement portion and a pivot portion including a pivot axle. The lever can be pivotally coupled to the tool body about the pivot axle between a first position, wherein the clamp assembly is in the closed position and a second position wherein movement of the user engagement portion of the lever causes the clamp assembly to be moved to the open position.

Abstract: A handheld power tool is configured to receive an input indicative of a clutch setting for an electronic clutch from the tool operator, where the clutch setting is selectable from a drill mode and a drive mode. In a drill mode, torque applied to the output spindle is ignored; whereas, in the drive mode, the torque applied to the output spindle is monitored and interrupted in an automated manner by a controller when a fastener being driven reaches a desired stopping position. Display states of the interface components of the tool may be set in accordance with current tool conditions and/or various triggering conditions. One such interface component is the input used to set the operating mode (e.g., clutch setting) of the tool.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw can include a housing and a motor disposed in the housing. A blade retaining mechanism can receive a saw blade. A drive mechanism can translate rotational motion of the motor into reciprocating motion of the blade retaining mechanism. A clamp assembly can include first and second shoes that are coupled to the housing. The first shoe can have a first shoe body that includes a first material facing surface. The second shoe can include a second material facing surface that opposes the first material facing surface and that defines a clamping distance therebetween. At least one of the first and second shoes is selectively adjustable relative to the housing, such that the clamping distance can be altered. One of the first or second shoe bodies can have a third material facing surface that comprises an arcuate section defining a radius.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor, an output member driven by the motor, and a reaming attachment coupled to the output member. The reaming attachment has a front end portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and a reaming portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to remove material from an end surface of a conduit. A rotational motion sensor in the housing is operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about an axis. A controller receives a signal indicative of rotational motion from the sensor, determines a direction of the rotational motion of the housing, and drives the motor in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotational motion of the housing.