Abstract: An air filter essentially for use in woodworking workplaces includes a casing having a top panel, a bottom panel, two sidewalls, a filter gauze, a motor, and whizzer blades. The casing has an inlet anteriorly and an outlet. The casing has therein an inner blocking wall which extends rearward to form two inner sidewalls. The two inner sidewalls are each penetrated by a through hole. The two through holes face each other. The casing further has a curved panel bending in its thickness direction. The curved panel and the two inner sidewalls together define a receiving space. The curved panel curves to an extent corresponding in curvature to part of the outer edges of the whizzer blades and is spaced apart from the whizzer blades by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A work holding device includes a first jaw piece having an elongated first connection member for connecting the work holding device to a support. The first connection member defines a first passage. A second jaw piece has an elongated second connection member positionable within the first passage. The second connection member defines a second passage in communication with the first passage. A spindle assembly movably couples the second jaw piece to the first jaw piece. The spindle assembly is configured to move the second jaw piece with respect to the first jaw piece to create a clamping pressure when an object is placed between the first jaw piece and the second jaw piece.

Abstract: A vise for securing a work piece is disclosed which includes a base. A first jaw piece and a second jaw piece can be disposed on the base, at least one of the first and second jaw pieces movable on the base such that the first and second jaw pieces are moveable toward and away from one another. A magnetic assembly can be positioned on the base and configured to produce a magnetic field that extends beyond the base to secure the vise to a magnetically permeable or ferromagnetic work surface. The magnetic assembly can be operable to alternate between an active mode and an inactive mode. The magnetic assembly can produce a magnetic field when the magnetic assembly is in the active mode to secure the vise to a magnetically permeable or ferromagnetic work surface.

Abstract: A drum sander having a fin for deflecting airflow around the drum and directing dust and debris to a dust collecting outlet. The fin includes a first section at a first angle and a second section at a second angle that directs air movement generated by the operating drum toward the dust collecting outlet. The free edge of the fin is shaped to wrap partially around the drum in two helical inclined planes. A tool free adjustment of parallelism may be provided. The workpieces are pulled through the sander rather than being pushed through. Lightweight materials reduce stress on the assembly. Heat is dissipated by the configuration and material of the drum.

Abstract: A wearable augmented reality overlay device for use with a tool displays information to a user relating to the status or operation of the tool, to the forming of a work piece for a project, or to safety information related to the tool. The displayed information may include a highlight projected onto a portion of the tool, onto a wearer's body part, or onto a work piece. The displayed information may include a virtual control for the tool or another tool, an operating manual, or a maintenance, assembly or operating guide. The wearable display permits the user to control the tool and potentially other tools in the work shop. The display may instead include a projector to project adjustment information as a tool is adjusted. A virtual image of a tool may be projected to locating a tool in a work area.

Abstract: A pipe clamp has a base with a fixed jaw and a beam extending from the base. A movable jaw member is slidably mounted on the beam. The movable jaw member includes a movable jaw disposed opposite the fixed jaw. A pivotable handle is mounted to the movable jaw member and a clamping mechanism is connected to the pivotable handle and operated by the pivotable handle to move the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw. A latch secures the pivotable handle in any of a plurality of positions. A tripod stand may be provided for supporting the pipe clamp, the tripod having a multi-compartment storage spreader.

Abstract: A work holding device includes a first jaw piece having an elongated first connection member for connecting the work holding device to a support. The first connection member defines a first passage. A second jaw piece has an elongated second connection member positionable within the first passage. The second connection member defines a second passage in communication with the first passage. A spindle assembly movably couples the second jaw piece to the first jaw piece. The spindle assembly is configured to move the second jaw piece with respect to the first jaw piece to create a clamping pressure when an object is placed between the first jaw piece and the second jaw piece.

Abstract: A blade clamp with first and second gripping members configured to hold a cutting blade, a lever connected to the clamp by a connection member, and a head that receives the connection member that extends through an aperture of the head. The connection member can move along a first axis through the aperture of the head and move the clamp along the first axis based on a position of the lever. The first and the second gripping members of the clamp can clamp the cutting blade along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis based on a position of the clamp along the first axis. The lever can include an eccentric cam surface that engages a cam follower. The eccentric cam surface can cause the clamp to provide a clamping force and tension to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A blade guide for a band saw tool includes an adjustment channel mounted to a blade housing. The adjustment channel has a bracket plate with two recesses at an angle to one another. A roller bracket has a ridge that fits into one or the other recess, the roller bracket including rollers to guide the band saw blade. A single screw holds the roller bracket to the bracket plate. The roller bracket may be moved to the other recess to impart a twist to the blade. The blade is used without a twist when the band saw tool is configured for vertical cutting and is used with a twist when the band saw tool is configured for horizontal cutting.

Abstract: A power tool includes a control for the motor of the power tool that senses an operating characteristic of the motor and controls the operation of the power tool based on the sensed characteristic. The sensed characteristic includes variations in reluctance of the motor. A controller may sense changes on load on the motor as a result of interaction between a working element such as a saw blade or drill bit and the work piece. The controlled operation may include variation in speed or torque or both, or may include stopping the motor. Emergency conditions may be sensed by changes in reluctance.

Abstract: A work holding device, such as a vice, includes first and second jaws and a spindle connected between them to change the distance between the jaws for holding a work piece. An elongated connection member extends from the first jaw and is shaped to fit into a receiver member of a receiver hitch on a vehicle. Adjustable projections are provided on the elongated connection member for reducing movement of the vice in the hitch. The adjustable projections may be set screws. An end cap is provided on the end of the elongated connection member. The work holding device may be mounted in a receiver member or bracket on a workbench or other work area.

Abstract: A band saw that is convertible between a vertical cutting position and a horizontal cutting position includes a work table extension that extends from a work table when the band saw is used in the horizontal cutting position. The work table extension is removable from the work table and is attachable to a blade guide when the band saw is used in the vertical cutting position.

Abstract: A drum sander having a fin for deflecting airflow around the drum and directing dust and debris to a dust collecting outlet. The fin includes a first section at a first angle and a second section at a second angle that directs air movement generated by the operating drum toward the dust collecting outlet. The free edge of the fin is shaped to wrap partially around the drum in two helical inclined planes. A tool free adjustment of parallelism may be provided. The workpieces are pulled through the sander rather than being pushed through. Lightweight materials reduce stress on the assembly. Heat is dissipated by the configuration and material of the drum.

Abstract: A work holding device includes a first jaw piece having an elongated first connection member for connecting the work holding device to a support. The first connection member defines a first passage. A second jaw piece has an elongated second connection member positionable within the first passage. The second connection member defines a second passage in communication with the first passage. A spindle assembly movably couples the second jaw piece to the first jaw piece. The spindle assembly is configured to move the second jaw piece with respect to the first jaw piece to create a clamping pressure when an object is placed between the first jaw piece and the second jaw piece.

Abstract: A pipe clamp has a base with a fixed jaw and a beam extending from the base. A movable jaw member is slidably mounted on the beam. The movable jaw member includes a movable jaw disposed opposite the fixed jaw. A pivotable handle is mounted to the movable jaw member and a clamping mechanism is connected to the pivotable handle and operated by the pivotable handle to move the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw. A latch secures the pivotable handle in any of a plurality of positions. A tripod stand may be provided for supporting the pipe clamp, the tripod having a multi-compartment storage spreader.

Abstract: A brake/clutch device for a manual hoist provides an externally-viewable indicator showing the wear status of friction elements within the hoist. The brake/clutch device has a brake block, a brake ratchet, a reversing ratchet, a torsion spring block, a hand wheel and a fastener mounted onto a main shaft of the manual hoist. Friction elements on the brake ratchet provide braking against sudden drops of a load. Ball and spring devices mounted in the hand wheel contact detents and grooves that gradually increase in depth in the torsion spring block depending on the relative positions of the hand wheel and the torsion spring block. The hand wheel has an indicator mark that may align with indicator areas of the torsion spring block to indicate an extent of wear of the friction elements.