Abstract: An elongated drill bit has a shank at one end and working end at the other. A flute portion is between the working end and the shank. The flute portion is continuous with the shank and working end and is generally unitarily formed with them. The flute portion has at least one flute with a helix angle between approximately 30° and 35°. The working end has a pilot tip with a cutting portion. A tapered web is formed in the flute portion, a thickness of the web at the tip of the working end is about 9% to 15% of the nominal diameter.

Abstract: An elongated drill bit has a shank at one end and working end at the other. A flute portion is between the working end and the shank. The flute portion is continuous with the shank and working end and is generally unitarily formed with them. The flute portion has at least one flute with a helix angle between approximately 30° and 35°. The working end has a pilot tip with a cutting portion. A tapered web is formed in the flute portion, a thickness of the web at the tip of the working end is about 9% to 15% of the nominal diameter.

Abstract: A bi-metal drill bit includes a body defining a cutting end and a shank end. At least a portion of the cutting end is formed of a first metal section and at least a portion of the shank end is formed of a second metal section that is welded to the first metal section. The first metal section has a first metal having a material hardness that is higher than a second material hardness of the second metal section. One of the first and second metal sections is treated either by coating or oxide treating so as to have a recognizable different appearance than the other of the first and second metal sections. A length to diameter ratio of the first metal section has been optimized to allow electrical resistance welding, provide better strength in the rear end after the tip breaks through a workpiece, and to minimize cost.

Abstract: A driver for driving a threaded fastener includes a shank and a sleeve. The shank has a rear portion configured to be coupled to a power tool. The sleeve defines a bore having a round rear portion and a polygonal front socket. An inner shaft has a round rear portion received in the bore and a polygonal front portion that matches the polygonal socket and that includes a magnet holder with front and rear magnetic portions. An actuator is coupled to the inner shaft to move the inner shaft between a rear position where the front magnetic portion is within the socket, and a front position where the front magnetic portion is exposed from the socket for cleaning. The rear magnetic portion magnetically attracts the inner shaft toward a rear end of the internal bore to bias the inner shaft toward the rear position.

Abstract: A fastener tool includes a housing comprising a nosepiece and a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener. A driving mechanism is disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece. A trigger assembly is pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism. A nosepiece cover is pivotally attached to the nosepiece. A latch is pivotally attached to the nosepiece cover. A latch wire is pivotally attached to the latch for engaging at least one hook disposed on the nosepiece. The latch wire has a portion extending between the latch and the hook, the portion having at least two bends.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine housing, a nail plate in the magazine housing and an actuator disposed between the nail plate and the magazine housing. The actuator extends outwardly from the nail plate so as to be movable by a user to cause the nail plate to move axially with respect to the magazine housing.

Abstract: A method for loading coil collated fasteners into a fastening tool. The method includes providing internal access to the fastening tool by moving a door structure and a portion of a canister to load the coil collated fasteners.

Abstract: A tool that includes a housing, a motor assembly, a hook structure and a detent. The motor assembly has an output member and is at least partially housed in the housing. The detent has a first portion, which is engaged to the housing, and a second portion that is engaged to the hook structure. The first and second portions cooperate in an engaged condition to hold the hook structure in a selected rotational position relative to the housing. The first and second portions being disengagable to permit rotational movement of the hook structure relative to the housing. The hook structure can include a friction enhancing portion that is employed to provide better gripping performance.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a housing assembly having a nosepiece and a magazine assembly that is coupled to the housing assembly. The magazine assembly includes a canister, a door structure, a feed pawl and a follower structure. The canister is configured to hold a plurality of collated fasteners and has a first canister portion and a second canister portion that is movable relative to the first canister portion between a closed position and an open position. The fastening tool further includes a coil feeder assembly having an indexing pawl. The indexing pawl advances a fastener into operative engagement with the feed pawl upon movement of the second canister portion from the open position to the closed position. The movement of the indexing pawl may be effectuated by an electric actuator.

Abstract: A method for loading coil collated fasteners into a fastening tool. The method includes providing internal access to the fastening tool by moving a door structure and a portion of a canister to load the coil collated fasteners.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the handle position of a pneumatic fastener handle. The pneumatic fastener includes a base, a main body, and a magazine for carrying fastening members. The main body and magazine are fixed to the base. A pneumatic inlet is mounted onto the main body. A handle assembly is mounted on the main body of the pneumatic fastener. The handle assembly includes a housing having a hollow recessed area. The housing can have an aperture through a lateral side configured to receive a retaining member. A handle extends partially within the housing and is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position, different from the first position. When the handle is in a desired position, the retaining member secures the handle in place within the housing.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine assembly for holding and dispensing collated fasteners. The magazine assembly includes a canister and a door that is hingedly coupled to a nosepiece. The canister includes a stationary portion and a movable portion that may be moved relative to the stationary portion to permit access to an interior of the canister, e.g., for loading the fasteners into the canister. The door cannot be moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa without first opening the canister. A method for loading a magazine is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a housing assembly having a nosepiece and a magazine assembly that is coupled to the housing assembly. The magazine assembly includes a canister, a door structure, a feed pawl and a follower structure. The canister is configured to hold a plurality of collated fasteners and has a first canister portion and a second canister portion that is movable relative to the first canister portion between a closed position and an open position. The fastening tool further includes a coil feeder assembly having an indexing pawl. The indexing pawl advances a fastener into operative engagement with the feed pawl upon movement of the second canister portion from the open position to the closed position. The movement of the indexing pawl may be effectuated by an electric actuator.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastener includes a housing and a handle coupled to the housing. The handle defines an inlet channel for delivering compressed gas to the housing. A trigger valve is in communication with the inlet channel and configured to actuate the pneumatic fastener. A fastener driving assembly is disposed within the housing. The fastener driving assembly includes a cylinder and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder to drive a fastener. A valve piston is coupled to the fastener driving assembly. Actuation of the valve piston causes compressed air to drive the piston within the cylinder to drive the fastener. An outer cap is coupled to the housing and an inner cap is disposed at least partially within the outer cap. The inner cap includes an opening in communication with the trigger valve for porting the compressed air to a region above the valve piston.

Abstract: A fastener tool includes a housing comprising a nosepiece and a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener. A driving mechanism is disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece. A trigger assembly is pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism. A nosepiece cover is pivotally attached to the nosepiece. A latch is pivotally attached to the nosepiece cover. A latch wire is pivotally attached to the latch for engaging at least one hook disposed on the nosepiece. The latch wire has a portion extending between the latch and the hook, the portion having at least two bends.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a housing assembly having a nosepiece and a magazine assembly that is coupled to the housing assembly. The magazine assembly includes a canister, a door structure, a feed pawl and a follower structure. The canister is configured to hold a plurality of collated fasteners and has a first canister portion and a second canister portion that is movable relative to the first canister portion between a closed position and an open position. The fastening tool further includes a coil feeder assembly having an indexing pawl. The indexing pawl advances a fastener into operative engagement with the feed pawl upon movement of the second canister portion from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A tool that includes a housing, a motor assembly, a hook structure and a detent. The motor assembly has an output member and is at least partially housed in the housing. The detent has a first portion, which is engaged to the housing, and a second portion that is engaged to the hook structure. The first and second portions cooperate in an engaged condition to hold the hook structure in a selected rotational position relative to the housing. The first and second portions being disengagable to permit rotational movement of the hook structure relative to the housing. The hook structure can include a friction enhancing portion that is employed to provide better gripping performance.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a housing assembly having a nosepiece and a magazine assembly that is coupled to the housing assembly. The magazine assembly includes a canister, a door structure, a feed pawl and a follower structure. The canister is configured to hold a plurality of collated fasteners and has a first canister portion and a second canister portion that is movable relative to the first canister portion between a closed position and an open position. The fastening tool further includes a coil feeder assembly having an indexing pawl. The indexing pawl advances a fastener into operative engagement with the feed pawl upon movement of the second canister portion from the open position to the closed position.