Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an output shaft having a tool axis, and a motion sensor that senses motion of the tool housing. A control circuit receives an input signal from the motion sensor, to make a first determination, based on the input signal, whether the tool is being operated in a horizontal mode or a vertical mode. The control circuit makes a second determination, based on the input signal, whether the tool axis is substantially level when the tool is being operated in the horizontal mode or the tool axis is substantially plumb when the tool is being operated in the vertical mode. An indicator receives an output signal from the control circuit that causes the indicator to indicate whether the tool axis is level when being operated in the horizontal mode or plumb when being operated in the vertical mode.

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 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: An impact wrench, includes a housing including a handle. A rotating anvil is supported by the housing and includes a polygonal head adapted for receiving a socket thereon. A socket retention device is mounted to the polygonal head of the rotating anvil for securing a socket to the polygonal head. A socket release mechanism includes an actuator mounted to the housing and operable to disengage the socket retention device from the socket to allow the socket to be removed from the anvil.

Abstract: A power tool having a light for illuminating an area proximate a movable end effector. The light may be mounted in such a way as to transmit light through a rotatable collar on the power tool, through or through a member of a housing of the power tool, or from the moving end effector. The light may be powered by a power source that is used for moving the end effector or from a generator that generates electrical power when the power tool is used.

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: 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 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 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 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. A power tool having an impact mechanism with an external adjusting member that can be moved to vary a trip torque of the impact mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool body having an output member that drives an accessory. An end effector is coupled for rotation with the output member. A light source is disposed on the end effector. A primary coil assembly is configured on the tool body and mounted concentric to the output member. The primary coil assembly includes a primary coil that is electrically connected to a power source of the power tool. A secondary coil assembly is configured on the end effector and mounted concentric to the output member. The secondary coil assembly includes a secondary coil that is electrically connected to the light source. Current flowing through the primary coil creates a magnetic field that causes current to flow through the secondary winding and power the light source.

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: An anchor setting tool includes a housing having a nozzle portion formed in an upper end thereof. A motor and a rotary-linear motion transmission mechanism are arranged in the housing and the rotary-linear transmission mechanism functions to couple an output shaft of the motor to a striking rod disposed in the nozzle portion to thereby move the striking rod in a reciprocating manner. A bias device exerts a force on the striking rod towards the outside of the housing along a longitudinal direction of the striking rod.

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 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 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 depth gauge for use with a drill bit includes a body configured to receive a drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and configured to removably couple the body to the drill bit, and a cap configured to be removably coupled to the body. The cap can be coupled to the body in one of a first position relative to the body where the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a first depth, and a second position relative to the body where the cap contacts the workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a second depth that is different from the first depth.

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 workpiece adjusting mechanism for a miter saw is provided. The workpiece adjusting mechanism may include: a table for supporting a workpiece to be cut by the miter saw; an engager for engaging the workpiece, the engager configured to move the workpiece with respect to the table; and an actuator configured to control the engager to move the workpiece with respect to the table.