Abstract: An offset bandsaw uses a drive pulley and a second pulley which is angularly offset from the first drive pulley. A bandsaw blade is formed by twisting the blade 360.degree. before welding the two ends together to form a continuous belt. The combination of the offset rollers and the 360.degree. twist permit the bandsaw blade to follow a more natural path which improves blade life. Rollers may be provided intermediate the drive pulley and top pulley to position the bandsaw blade portions in the same plane. Alternatively one may provide a third or fourth pulley to create a precision saw which can cut tight radii in a workpiece and make sizeable square cuts through stock of any length.

Abstract: A chalking string retainer for holding one end of a chalking string at the edge or corner of a surface to be marked with the string. The retainer comprises a plate with a bracket shaped in the form of a V depending from the plate. There is a first hole near the apex of the V through which the string passes and at which the string is knotted and there is a second hole on said plate through which the string also passes for pulling.

Abstract: A lock mechanism is disclosed in which a hollow cylindrical housing is provided with at least one interior longitudinal slot. A cylinder having a longitudinal keyway is inserted into the housing and an endpiece having at least one radial groove and one circumferential groove is attached to the housing. At least one tumbler is pivotably mounted within the cylinder on an axis transverse to the cylinder. The tumbler has a locking edge sized and positioned to extend into the longitudinal groove in the housing when the tumbler is in a locked position and to be within the cylinder when the tumbler is in an unlocked position. The tumbler also has a tab sized and positioned so as to fit within the radial groove of the endpiece when the tumbler is in a locked position, and to align with and be capable of traveling through the circumferential groove of the endpiece when the tumbler is in an unlocked position.