Abstract: A multi-speed, power-driven tool may include a transmission mechanism that transmits power from a motor to an output device. A speed selection mechanism may be coupled to the transmission mechanism, to control a speed reduction through the transmission mechanism, and an output speed of the tool. The transmission mechanism may employ a compound, stepped, planetary gear assembly, to provide for an axially compact arrangement of transmission mechanism components, to reduce an axial length of the tool. The speed selection mechanism may employ a multi-staged grounding device, corresponding to the reduced axial length of the transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-link cutting tool used to cut wire, pipe, cable, tube, chain and the like. The cutting tool utilizes a multi-link connecting linkage between the cutting jaw and the handles to increase the leverage obtained at the cutting edge, to control the relative motion of the jaws, and/or use to control the motion of the cutting edge. With this multi-link connecting mechanism, a smaller and more powerful cutting tool can be made.

Abstract: An outer-rotor brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor is provided including a stator core having an aperture extending therethrough, a stator mount including an elongated cylindrical member projecting into the aperture of the stator core, an outer rotor, and a rotor mount including an outer rim arranged to couple to the outer rotor and an inner body supporting an outer race of a motor bearing. A piloting pin is provided including a rear portion received within the hollow portion of the elongated cylindrical member of the stator mount and a front portion received within the inner race of the motor bearing.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a power tool includes an actuator with a permanent magnet. The actuator is moveable between a first position for a first mode of operation, and a second position for a second mode of operation. A first positioning member is adjacent the first position composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. A second positioning member is adjacent the second position and composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be energized to move the actuator between the first position and the second position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the first position, the actuator is retained in the first position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is retained in the second position. When the electromagnet is energized, the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a power tool includes an actuator with a permanent magnet. The actuator is moveable between a first position for a first mode of operation, and a second position for a second mode of operation. A first positioning member is adjacent the first position composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. A second positioning member is adjacent the second position and composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be energized to move the actuator between the first position and the second position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the first position, the actuator is retained in the first position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is retained in the second position. When the electromagnet is energized, the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An outer-rotor brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor is provided including a stator core having an aperture extending therethrough, a stator mount including an elongated cylindrical member projecting into the aperture of the stator core, an outer rotor, and a rotor mount including an outer rim arranged to couple to the outer rotor and an inner body supporting an outer race of a motor bearing. A piloting pin is provided including a rear portion received within the hollow portion of the elongated cylindrical member of the stator mount and a front portion received within the inner race of the motor bearing.

Abstract: A multi-speed, power-driven tool may include a transmission mechanism that transmits power from a motor to an output device. A speed selection mechanism may be coupled to the transmission mechanism, to control a speed reduction through the transmission mechanism, and an output speed of the tool. The transmission mechanism may employ a compound, stepped, planetary gear assembly, to provide for an axially compact arrangement of transmission mechanism components, to reduce an axial length of the tool. The speed selection mechanism may employ a multi-staged grounding device, corresponding to the reduced axial length of the transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A circular saw includes a housing assembly and a drive motor assembly coupled to the housing assembly. An output member is driven by the drive motor assembly. A shoe is adjustably mounted to the housing assembly. A circular saw blade has a diameter of about 7.3 inches. The shoe can be adjusted to provide a depth of cut that is greater than or equal to about 3.0 inches.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool body including a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. A chuck is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body and configured to retain the accessory. The chuck has a chuck body that defines at least one light pipe formed therethrough. A light source disposed on a light ring coupled to the tool body and includes at least one light. Each at least one light source aligns with each of the at least one light pipe intermittently during rotation of the chuck.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool body including a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. A chuck is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body and configured to retain the accessory. The chuck has a chuck body that defines at least one light pipe formed therethrough. A light source disposed on a light ring coupled to the tool body and includes at least one light. Each at least one light source aligns with each of the at least one light pipe intermittently during rotation of the chuck.

Abstract: A power tool having a rotary impact mechanism and a mode change mechanism. The impact mechanism is driven by an output member of a transmission and includes a hammer and an anvil. The mode change mechanism includes a mode collar that is movable between a first position, in which the mode collar directly couples the hammer to the transmission output member to inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle, and a second position in which the mode collar does not inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle.

Abstract: A chop saw includes a base assembly and a saw assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly. The base assembly has a workpiece-supporting plane. The saw assembly has a blade and a motor driving the blade. A hinged connection between the base assembly and a saw assembly allows a user to rotate the saw assembly from a position where the plane of the blade extends through the workpiece-supporting plane to a position where the plane of the blade does not extend through the workpiece-supporting plane. In such position, the plane of blade may be substantially parallel to the workpiece-supporting plane.

Abstract: A miter saw is provided. The miter saw includes a table for supporting a workpiece; a fence located on the table; and a beveling arm for supporting a saw blade, the fence operatively connected to the arm to move the fence when the blade is beveled so that the blade does not contact the fence when the blade is moved toward the table. A method of locating a workpiece near a saw blade is provided. The method may include moving an adjustable section of fence near a path the saw blade will travel by beveling the saw blade; and moving a workpiece to contact the fence near the saw blade path.

Abstract: A work bench may include a body for supporting a power tool, a first leg connected to a first end of the body, a second leg connected to a second end of the body, the first and second legs being pivotally connected, the first and second legs being movable between a first position where the body is in a lowered position and a second position where the body is in an elevated position, and a spring connecting the first and second legs. The spring provides at least a portion of the force necessary to move the first and second legs from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a power tool includes an actuator with a permanent magnet. The actuator is moveable between a first position for a first mode of operation, and a second position for a second mode of operation. A first positioning member is adjacent the first position composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. A second positioning member is adjacent the second position and composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be energized to move the actuator between the first position and the second position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the first position, the actuator is retained in the first position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is retained in the second position. When the electromagnet is energized, the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool body including a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. A chuck is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body and configured to retain the accessory. The chuck has a chuck body that defines at least one light pipe formed therethrough. A light source disposed on a light ring coupled to the tool body and includes at least one light. Each at least one light source aligns with each of the at least one light pipe intermittently during rotation of the chuck.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool body including a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. A chuck is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body and configured to retain the accessory. The chuck has a chuck body that defines at least one light pipe formed therethrough. A light source disposed on a light ring coupled to the tool body and includes at least one light. Each at least one light source aligns with each of the at least one light pipe intermittently during rotation of the chuck.

Abstract: A drill bit has a shank portion having a plurality of SDS-type slots, a cutting portion comprising at least one cutting flute, and an intermediate portion connecting the shank to the cutting portion, the intermediate portion including at least one longitudinal slot. A depth gauge includes a body configured to receive the drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and having an inward projection to removably couple the body to the at least one additional slot in the drill bit, and a cap coupled to the body such that the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a predetermined depth, wherein the cap is movable relative to the body among a plurality of positions, wherein each of the plurality of positions corresponds to a different predetermined drilling depth.

Abstract: A bit retaining system for a rotary tool or device such as a router is disclosed. The bit retaining system may include a collet assembly and a control assembly. The collet assembly may include a spindle, a collet adapted to receive the bit, and a collet nut. The collet assembly may further include a collet gear mounted on the collet nut and/or a spindle gear mounted on the spindle. The control assembly selectively engages the collet assembly to drive the collet nut and/or secure the spindle in a fixed position, preventing its rotation. In operation, a hand tool is utilized to engage the control assembly. This configuration enables a user to capture and release the rotary tool bit using one hand.

Abstract: A power tool has a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a tool holder driven by the motor, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a rotary input rotatable relative to the housing, and a rotational sensor for sensing the rotational position of the rotary input relative to the housing. The rotary input can be a thumbwheel or a handle that rotates relative to the housing. The control circuit receives input from the rotational sensor for controlling motor speed, rotational direction, etc. Other user interface mechanisms are disclosed as well.