Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack and the power tool can have complementary grooves and rails or L-shaped surfaces that aid in aligning the positive and negative blade terminals of the battery pack to the positive and negative tool terminals, respectively, of the power tool.

Abstract: An improved portable work bench includes a structural body, and a platform disposed on and frictionally contacting the structural body. In addition, the platform includes an override mechanism for allowing horizontal movement of the platform along the structural body. Further, the portable work bench may include a plurality of legs for supporting the structural body. The structural body may be tubular and preferably has a trapezoidal cross-section. Such work bench can be used by disposing the platform on the structural body, so that the platform frictionally contacts the structural body. Then the user can mechanically override the static friction between the platform and the structural body and move the platform horizontally along the structural body.

Abstract: A table saw including a base, a main table supported by the base, first and second rails attached to the table, a sliding table fixedly attached to the rails and sliding along the longitudinal axis of the rails and a cross-cut table slidably movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. The cross-cut table may be adjusted to ensure movement parallel to a blade protruding from the main table. An improved miter gauge assembly is also disclosed. An improved fence assembly is further disclosed herein. In addition, a table saw having an improved panel and leg construction is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is disposed on the table and has an axis. A support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table. The support housing is axially movable along the shaft and being laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. A locking mechanism is further provided for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism may include a handle disposed on the shaft, the handle being rotatable in two directions with respect to the table, such that, upon rotation of the handle in both directions from a neutral position, the handle urges the support housing into contact with the table. The shaft may be rotatable relative to the table. The locking mechanism may further include a first camming surface disposed on the table and a second camming surface disposed on the shaft and engaging the first camming surface.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. In each embodiment, the battery pack and the power tool have complementary rails and grooves that aid in aligning the positive and negative blade terminals of the battery pack to the positive and negative tool terminals, respectively, of the power tool. In one embodiment, a keying feature cooperates with a mating keying feature to further align the terminals of the battery pack to the terminals of the power tool. In a second embodiment, the battery pack includes two sets of blade terminals, with each set including a positive blade terminal and a negative blade terminal.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: A power tool with a base assembly and a table supported by the base assembly. The table has a slot. A saw assembly is pivotably supported by the table, and includes a motor, and a blade driven by the motor. A miter gauge assembly is disposable on the slot. The miter gauge assembly has a body, a fence pivotably attached to the body, and a bar pivotably attached to the body, where the bar is disposable in the slot.

Abstract: A table saw guard assembly for guarding a blade on a table saw is provided. The table saw guard assembly includes a support structure and a hood assembly including at least one of a front curtain, first side curtain, second side curtain and top curtain, wherein each of said curtains are independently moveable and/or removable from the hood assembly. Furthermore, a table saw guard assembly is provided including a quick release mechanism for connecting the hood assembly to the support structure.

Abstract: The table saw disclosed herein includes a table, a saw assembly pivotally attached to the table, the saw assembly comprising an arbor movable relative to the table, a bevel shaft operatively connected to the saw assembly for pivoting the saw assembly, and a height shaft operatively connected to the saw assembly for moving the arbor relative to the table, wherein distance between the height shaft and the table is larger than distance between the bevel shaft and the table.

Abstract: The table saw disclosed herein includes a table, a saw assembly pivotally attached to the table, the saw assembly comprising an arbor movable relative to the table, a bevel shaft operatively connected to the saw assembly for pivoting the saw assembly, and a height shaft operatively connected to the saw assembly for moving the arbor relative to the table, wherein distance between the height shaft and the table is larger than distance between the bevel shaft and the table.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: A sensing mechanism (12) for detecting user contact with an active portion (26) of the power tool (10) is provided. In addition, a safety mechanism (14) for preventing prolonged user contact with the active portion (26) of a power tool (10) is provided. The safety mechanism (14) is configured to actuate upon receipt of a signal from the sensing mechanism (12). According to a first aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly displace the active portion (26) away from a user extremity. Alternatively, according to a second aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly urge an extremity of the user away from the active portion (26) of the power tool (10).

Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is disposed on the table and has an axis. A support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table. The support housing is axially movable along the shaft and being laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. A locking mechanism is further provided for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism may include a handle disposed on the shaft, the handle being rotatable in two directions with respect to the table, such that, upon rotation of the handle in both directions from a neutral position, the handle urges the support housing into contact with the table. The shaft may be rotatable relative to the table. The locking mechanism may further include a first camming surface disposed on the table and a second camming surface disposed on the shaft and engaging the first camming surface.

Abstract: An improved portable work bench includes a structural body, and a platform disposed on and frictionally contacting the structural body. In addition, the platform includes an override mechanism for allowing horizontal movement of the platform along the structural body. Further, the portable work bench may include a plurality of legs for supporting the structural body. The structural body may be tubular and preferably has a trapezoidal cross-section. Such work bench can be used by disposing the platform on the structural body, so that the platform frictionally contacts the structural body. Then the user can mechanically override the static friction between the platform and the structural body and move the platform horizontally along the structural body.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. In each embodiment, the battery pack and the power tool have complementary rails and grooves that aid in aligning the positive and negative blade terminals of the battery pack to the positive and negative tool terminals, respectively, of the power tool. In one embodiment, a keying feature cooperates with a mating keying feature to further align the terminals of the battery pack to the terminals of the power tool. In a second embodiment, the battery pack includes two sets of blade terminals, with each set including a positive blade terminal and a negative blade terminal.

Abstract: A table saw including a base, a main table supported by the base, first and second rails attached to the table, a sliding table fixedly attached to the rails and sliding along the longitudinal axis of the rails and a cross-cut table slidably movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. The cross-cut table may be adjusted to ensure movement parallel to a blade protruding from the main table. An improved miter gauge assembly is also disclosed. An improved fence assembly is further disclosed herein. In addition, a table saw having an improved panel and leg construction is disclosed herein.