Abstract: A spade drill bit (202) comprises a shaft (204) having one end (205) configured to be engaged to a driving tool and a cutting head (206) attached at an opposite end of said shaft (204). The cutting head (206) includes a center point (216) having threads (240) defined thereon, including continuous threads (247) adjacent the tip and discontinuous threads (242) thereafter toward the base.

Abstract: One embodiment of a drill press table accessory has a work surface with an opening therethrough for passing at least a portion of a drill bit. A vacuum channel communicates with the opening and with a vacuum port for connection to a vacuum source. In operation, a pressure differential may be communicated from the vacuum source to the opening to remove dust and debris as a work piece is operated on. An additional drill press table embodiment has upper and lower tables hingedly attached whereby the upper table may be oriented at an angle to the lower table so that a work piece can be operated on at an angle.

Abstract: A drill and drive apparatus includes a tube assembly which defines a tool chamber. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly. The tool holder includes a holder body defining a first tool recess and having (i) a first section with a first width and at least one ball aperture communicating with the first tool recess, and (ii) a second section with a second width less than the first width. The tool holder further includes a first tool locking mechanism at a first end portion thereof.

Abstract: A drill and drive apparatus includes a tube assembly which defines a tool chamber. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly. The tool holder includes a holder body defining a first tool recess and having (i) a first section with a first width and at least one ball aperture communicating with the first tool recess, and (ii) a second section with a second width less than the first width. The tool holder further includes a first tool locking mechanism at a first end portion thereof.

Abstract: A screw holding and driving device (42) for a power drill (40) is characterized by a body (46), a guide tube (48) reciprocatingly retained by the body, a drive assembly (90) held by the body (46) and operatively coupled to the guide tube (48), and, in certain embodiments, a screw depth adjuster (102). The guide tube (48) is configured to allow individual, top loading of screws for driving. The depth adjuster (102) is rotatable on the body to variably set screw driving depth. The body (46) can also include an integrally formed, bit storage caddie (54).

Abstract: One embodiment of a drill press table accessory has a work surface with an opening therethrough for passing at least a portion of a drill bit. A vacuum channel communicates with the opening and with a vacuum port for connection to a vacuum source. In operation, a pressure differential may be communicated from the vacuum source to the opening to remove dust and debris as a work piece is operated on. An additional drill press table embodiment has upper and lower tables hingedly attached whereby the upper table may be oriented at an angle to the lower table so that a work piece can be operated on at an angle.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly is usable with a hole saw and a drill bit. The mandrel assembly includes a body having a shank portion and an adapter receiving portion. The adapter receiving portion defines an adapter receiving cavity and including a first wall having a first detent hole extending therethrough. The mandrel assembly further includes a bit coupler secured to the body. The bit coupler is located within the adapter receiving cavity and defines a drill bit receiving portion. The drill bit receiving portion includes a bit receiving cavity and a second wall having a second detent hole extending therethrough. The mandrel assembly further includes an adapter configured to be received within the adapter receiving cavity, the adapter having an externally threaded portion configured to meshingly engage with a set of internal threads of the hole saw, the adapter further having a first detent groove defined in an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A screw holding and driving device (42) for a power drill (40) is characterized by a body (46), a guide tube (48) reciprocatingly retained by the body, a drive assembly (90) held by the body (46) and operatively coupled to the guide tube (48), and, in certain embodiments, a screw depth adjuster (102). The guide tube (48) is configured to allow individual, top loading of screws for driving. The depth adjuster (102) is rotatable on the body to variably set screw driving depth. The body (46) can also include an integrally formed, bit storage caddie (54).

Abstract: A saw blade includes a blade body which defines a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein (i) the blade body has a multiplicity of discrete dimples formed on at least one of the side surfaces, (ii) the blade body is made of metal, and (iii) each of the multiplicity of dimples is formed by a process which includes the step of deforming the metal so as to create an indentation in the side surface in which the dimple is formed. The saw blade further includes a plurality of cutting teeth extending from an edge of the blade body. Moreover, the deforming step includes the step of deforming the metal with pins on a die plate of a punch press.

Abstract: A method of making a saw blade includes the step of providing a metallic blade body that defines a first side surface and a second side surface. The method further includes the step of providing the metallic material blade body with cutting teeth at an edge thereof. The method also includes the step of forming a plurality of discrete dimples on at least one of the side surfaces. The forming step includes the step of deforming the metallic blade body with pins on a die plate of a punch press so as to create a plurality of indentations in the side surface in which the dimples are formed.

Abstract: A fence assembly for use with a router table, with the fence assembly including a first lower rail, a second lower rail and an upper rail. The first lower rail is configured and arranged to be positioned above the router table, where the first lower rail defines a lower longitudinal axis along the length thereof. The second lower rail is configured and arranged to be positioned above the router table along the lower longitudinal axis. The upper rail is configured and arranged to be attached to the router table above both the first lower rail and the second lower rail, whereby the upper rail defines an upper longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the lower longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly is usable with a hole saw and a drill bit. The mandrel assembly includes a body having a shank portion and an adapter receiving portion. The adapter receiving portion defines an adapter receiving cavity and including a first wall having a first detent hole extending therethrough. The mandrel assembly further includes a bit coupler secured to the body. The bit coupler is located within the adapter receiving cavity and defines a drill bit receiving portion. The drill bit receiving portion includes a bit receiving cavity and a second wall having a second detent hole extending therethrough. The mandrel assembly further includes an adapter configured to be received within the adapter receiving cavity, the adapter having an externally threaded portion configured to meshingly engage with a set of internal threads of the hole saw, the adapter further having a first detent groove defined in an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially aligning a number of screws with a screwdriver and guiding the number of screws during advancement by the screwdriver is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body which includes (i) a channel adapted to receive a screw strip having the number of screws supported thereon, (ii) a feed passage adapted to sequentially receive the number of screws from the channel, and (ii) a guide track having a planar segment and an inclined ramp segment.

Abstract: A tool having a body with two broad sides and a margin along which a cutting edge extends, and discrete, discontinuous protrusions from at least one of said broad sides, spaced from said cutting edge and from one another. The protrusions can take the form of concave dimples with a ridge on their perimeter or convex dimples with a smooth outermost surface, with or without complementary concave dimples, which preferably, but not necessarily, have ridges on their perimeters.

Abstract: In order to enable both miters and box joints to be fabricated using the same piece of apparatus, a miter fence is provided with multiple slidable portions or segments which enable a ledge to be projected from a lower edge of one of the fence faces and for a gap, which is consistent with the spacing required between the male pins of a box joint, to be opened up. A tab is provided to enable a work piece to be placed in abutment therewith. This tab can be used as each slot is cut using a dado blade to set the appropriate spacing for the next slot. The ends of the fence are provided with end caps which have a 45.degree. angle. These caps can be removed and switched about so that the fence can be used on either the left and the right hand sides of the saw table.

Abstract: An improved circular saw blade is provided which has a plurality of dimples formed on the body of the blade by cold-working the blade. The dimples each include a circumferential ridge which extends above the surfaces of the blade's body. When a side load is applied to the work piece, the ridges contact the one of the walls defining the kerf being cut that is forced by the load against the blade, so that the surface of the blade's body is spaced from the wall. The dimples are formed by cold working the blade, which stiffens the blade, reducing the vibration of the blade during the cutting process. The dimples and their ridges also provide greater heat dissipation, and tend to provide a laminar flow of air over the surface of the blade, acting much as the dimples of a golf ball.

Abstract: A power outlet strip having at least one receptacle; a member for receiving power from a power source; a switch coupled between the receptacle and the member for receiving power, which operates to control power transfer to the receptacle; a sliding member; and a safety key for controlling the position of the sliding member. When the safety key is engaged in the outlet strip, it positions the sliding member such that the switch is accessible and operable by an operator. When the safety key is removed from the outlet strip, is positions the sliding member such that the switch is inoperable by the operator. The outlet strip also includes a switch cover for covering the switch. The switch cover has at least one leaf spring and an actuating member. The actuating member is operative for toggling the switch to an OFF position when the switch cover is depressed. The leaf spring is operative for maintaining the actuating member above the switch when no pressure is applied to the switch cover.

Abstract: A double-ended drill bit having opposed cutting ends of different structural configurations is provided in combination with a sleeve or holder to be received within a drill chuck. The sleeve is provided with a cylindrical body having a top end with a pair of helically-shaped longitudinally extending members in spaced mating relation attached thereto. One cutting end of a drill bit is received within the cylindrical body and the spaced helically-shaped members.

Abstract: A torque converter for translating torque from a prime mover to an input shaft of a transmission including a torque input member, an impeller assembly, a turbine assembly and a lock-up clutch assembly interposed between the turbine assembly and a torque input member. The torque converter further includes a torsional damper operatively interconnecting the turbine assembly and the lock-up clutch assembly. The torsional damper includes a plurality of reaction members integrally formed with a plurality of turbine blades and extending from the turbine shell and operatively coupled with the lock-up clutch assembly. The plurality of integrally formed reaction members define a predetermined spring rate such that torsional forces generated between the turbine assembly and the lock-up clutch assembly are damped through the flexing of the reaction members.