Abstract: A new log support and clamp system (log rest) for a portable sawmill, having a log rest and a log dog. The log rest features a rack and pinion for adjusting a vertical position of the log rest using an actuation mechanism located on the operator's side of the portable sawmill, which improves the ability of the user to affix the log in place for sawing. Also, a portable sawmill having such a log rest.

Abstract: A stop rule for circular saw benches includes a profiled hollow body extending longitudinally with a substantially right-angled cross section, on which means are located for the attachment thereof to a table. One side of the profiled hollow body is designed as a guide member with a coplanar extension extending therefrom, which has a guide rule on the front edge thereof for low workpieces. Such guide rule extends vertically at right angles from the table, on which the guide member lies when the stop rule is in a horizontal position. The extension protruding sideways has a horizontal contact surface in the horizontal position of the stop rule, on which surface a vertically adjustable hold-down device for low work pieces is connected.

Abstract: An automated planer machine for planing a piece of lumber. The planer machine has a feed table for slidably receiving the bottom surface of the piece of lumber along a traveling course. One or more planing heads extend on sides of the traveling course to plane the surfaces of the piece of lumber. A linebar laterally guides the piece of lumber. Feed rolls along the traveling course move the piece of lumber. Positioning devices responsive to respective control signals are provided for adjusting a height of the feed table and planing levels of the planing heads as much when the planer machine is idle as during operation. Position encoders coupled to the feed table and the planing heads produce positional signals usable to accurately position them using the positioning devices.

Abstract: A hold down apparatus for a commercial molder is provided. The hold down apparatus generally includes a number of hold down plates adapted to hold down a work piece as it is conveyed through the commercial molder. A method of holding down a work piece in a commercial molder is also provided.

Abstract: A cutting machine comprises first (10) and second (12) work piece support means, said means including opposed surfaces operable to grip a work piece and move it in a controlled manner in a first dimension, and first (14) and second (16) cutting tools disposed substantially between the first and second work piece supported means such that they are operable to approach and cut the work piece from opposite sides, wherein each cutting tool is movable in second and third dimensions that are substantially orthogonal to the first dimension and to each other.

Abstract: A dual spring hold down for use with wood working tools, such as table saws, routers and shapers comprises a bracket mounted on the wood working table behind the tool and a hold down bar pivotably attached to the bracket with the hold down bar surrounding the wood working tool. A threaded rod is threaded into and extends upward from an extension arm of the bracket and though a slot in a hold down bar cross plate. A first coil spring surrounds the threaded rod immediately above the cross plate and a second, stronger coil spring surrounds the threaded rod above the first coil spring while a cylindrical sleeve surrounds the first coil spring. The hold down bar is free to drop down to act as a safety barrier when no wood panel is present. Then, initial lifting of the hold down bar by a wood panel is initially against the relatively light downward bias of the first coil spring until the sleeve is lifted to a “hold down height” at a point sufficient to compress the first coil spring within the sleeve.