Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A digital measurement system is provided for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface. The measurement system includes an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of the reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part. A digital reader head is attachable to the second part. The reader head is operable is operably engaged with and moveable along the reference element for measuring relative movement of the reader head along the reference element. The readout further includes a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of the reader head along the reference element.

Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a base assembly, a carriage assembly disposed above the base assembly, the carriage assembly includes a cutterhead assembly, the carriage assembly being vertically movable to change distance between the base assembly and the carriage assembly, a hand crank attached to the carriage assembly for changing the distance between the base assembly and the carriage assembly, a material removal gauge disposed on the carriage assembly, a switch disposed on the carriage assembly, and a height scale disposed on the base assembly, wherein the material removal gauge, the switch and the height scale are on the front side of the power planer, and the hand crank is substantially on the front half of the power planer.

Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A power planer having a base, a carriage assembly and a height scale. The carriage assembly includes a cutterhead that may be adjustably positioned relative to a datum that is defined by the base. The height scale has a rotary scale that rotates in response to movement of the carriage assembly relative to the base. A value of a displayed portion of the rotary scale is related to a distance between the cutterhead and the base.

Abstract: A digital measurement system is provided for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface. The measurement system includes an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of the reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part. A digital reader head is attachable to the second part. The reader head is operable is operably engaged with and moveable along the reference element for measuring relative movement of the reader head along the reference element. The readout further includes a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of the reader head along the reference element.

Abstract: A digital measurement system is provided for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface. The measurement system includes an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of the reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part. A digital reader head is attachable to the second part. The reader head is operable is operably engaged with and moveable along the reference element for measuring relative movement of the reader head along the reference element. The readout further includes a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of the reader head along the reference element.

Abstract: A power planer having a base, a carriage assembly and a height scale. The carriage assembly includes a cutterhead that may be adjustably positioned relative to a datum that is defined by the base. The height scale has a rotary scale that rotates in response to movement of the carriage assembly relative to the base. A value of a displayed portion of the rotary scale is related to a distance between the cutterhead and the base.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a carriage assembly and a carriage elevation mechanism for translating the carriage assembly. The carriage elevation mechanism includes a plurality of threaded guide posts and an elevation mechanism that employs a plurality of threaded structures that are threadably engaged to the guide posts. A locking mechanism is also provided to inhibit movement of the carriage assembly along the guide posts.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a base, which defines a reference surface, a cutting blade, which defines a cutting plane, and a setting mechanism may be employed to prevent a distance between the reference surface and the cutting plane from being adjusted to a dimension that is smaller than a height dimension that is selected from a group of predetermined dimensions. The setting mechanism includes first and second stop members, one being coupled to the base and the other being associated with the cutting blade. One of the stop members includes a plurality of differently dimensioned sectors or contact points that may be selectively positioned inline with the other stop member to inhibit movement of the cutting blade toward the base if the dimension therebetween is equal to a dimension associated with a given one of the contact points.

Abstract: A power tool having a base assembly with a first portion, which defines an upper surface, and a second portion that defines a lower surface. The first and second portions may be castings and are coupled to one another without machining the upper surface of the first portion or the lower surface of the second portion. After assembly of the base portion, the upper surface of the second portion is machined to define a flat reference surface. Construction of the power tool in this manner provides a robust base assembly that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A digital measurement system is provided for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface. The measurement system includes an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of the reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part. A digital reader head is attachable to the second part. The reader head is operable is operably engaged with and moveable along the reference element for measuring relative movement of the reader head along the reference element. The readout further includes a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of the reader head along the reference element.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a base assembly, a carriage assembly disposed above the base assembly, the carriage assembly includes a cutterhead assembly, the carriage assembly being vertically movable to change distance between the base assembly and the carriage assembly, a hand crank attached to the carriage assembly for changing the distance between the base assembly and the carriage assembly, a material removal gauge disposed on the carriage assembly, a switch disposed on the carriage assembly, and a height scale disposed on the base assembly, wherein the material removal gauge, the switch and the height scale are on the front side of the power planer, and the hand crank is substantially on the front half of the power planer.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a base, which defines a reference surface, a cutting blade, which defines a cutting plane, and a setting mechanism may be employed to prevent a distance between the reference surface and the cutting plane from being adjusted to a dimension that is smaller than a height dimension that is selected from a group of predetermined dimensions. The setting mechanism includes first and second stop members, one being coupled to the base and the other being associated with the cutting blade. One of the stop members includes a plurality of differently dimensioned sectors or contact points that may be selectively positioned inline with the other stop member to inhibit movement of the cutting blade toward the base if the dimension therebetween is equal to a dimension associated with a given one of the contact points.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a carriage assembly and a carriage elevation mechanism for translating the carriage assembly. The carriage elevation mechanism includes a plurality of threaded guide posts and an elevation mechanism that employs a plurality of threaded structures that are threadably engaged to the guide posts. A locking mechanism is also provided to inhibit movement of the carriage assembly along the guide posts.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a carriage assembly and a carriage elevation mechanism for translating the carriage assembly. The carriage elevation mechanism includes a plurality of threaded guide posts and an elevation mechanism that employs a plurality of threaded structures that are threadably engaged to the guide posts. A locking mechanism is also provided to inhibit movement of the carriage assembly along the guide posts.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a carriage assembly and a carriage elevation mechanism for translating the carriage assembly. The carriage elevation mechanism includes a plurality of threaded guide posts and an elevation mechanism that employs a plurality of threaded structures that are threadably engaged to the guide posts. A locking mechanism is also provided to inhibit movement of the carriage assembly along the guide posts.

Abstract: A portable power planer for planing the top surface of a workpiece. The portable power planer includes a novel base assembly, a carriage elevation mechanism, a cutterhead assembly, a carriage locking mechanism, a setting mechanism, a height scale mechanism, a material removal gauge, a motor, a dust collection mechanism and a power take-off mechanism.