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: An improved miter saw comprises a base assembly, a table rotatably attached to the base assembly, a saw assembly pivotably attached to the table, a wear ring non-fixedly attached between the base assembly and the table and wear ring. Other inventions are described herein.

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. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

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 power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

Abstract: An improved portable work bench includes a structural body, and a platform disposed on the structural body. In addition, the platform includes a cam mechanism for locking the position 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 square cross-section. Accordingly, the user need only place the platform in any position along the length of the structural body and move the cam mechanism to lock the platform in place. The cam mechanism may include a cam pivotally attached to the platform near the structural body, so that when the user rotates the cam, the cam contacts the structural body, locking the platform. A plate may be disposed between the cam and the structural body. The plate may have a hook portion, which contacts the bottom surface of the structural body.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

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 power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also 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 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: An improved portable work bench includes a structural body, and a platform disposed on the structural body. In addition, the platform includes a cam mechanism for locking the position 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 square cross-section. Accordingly, the user need only place the platform in any position along the length of the structural body and move the cam mechanism to lock the platform in place. The cam mechanism may include a cam pivotally attached to the platform near the structural body, so that when the user rotates the cam, the cam contacts the structural body, locking the platform. A plate may be disposed between the cam and the structural body. The plate may have a hook portion, which contacts the bottom surface of the structural body.

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 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: 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 power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.