Abstract: A portable band saw includes a serviceable/replaceable bumper system for allowing the band saw to be easily repaired if damaged from being dropped. An auxiliary handle is adjustably mounted to the band saw and is releasable from its position if subjected to a large force so as to avoid damage to the handle and tool housing. An adjustable guide shoe includes a toolless adjustment. The front and rear section of the band saw are disposed on opposite sides of a polymeric field case. Compression rods are used to isolate compression forces from the polymeric field case. An electric box assembly including a plastic component box is disposed between the field case and a front section of the band saw. A crash guard is mounted adjacent to the field case and includes a sight guide along an edge thereof and a rear blade guard formed integrally therewith.

Abstract: A portable band saw includes a serviceable/replaceable bumper system for allowing the band saw to be easily repaired if damaged from being dropped. An auxiliary handle is adjustably mounted to the band saw and is releasable from its position if subjected to a large force so as to avoid damage to the handle and tool housing. An adjustable guide shoe includes a toolless adjustment. The front and rear section of the band saw are disposed on opposite sides of a polymeric field case. Compression rods are used to isolate compression forces from the polymeric field case. An electric box assembly including a plastic component box is disposed between the field case and a front section of the band saw. A crash guard is mounted adjacent to the field case and includes a sight guide along an edge thereof and a rear blade guard formed integrally therewith.

Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a radial fan assembly. The radial fan assembly is configured to direct exhaust radially outwardly and axially away from a user of the angle grinder. Brush card assemblies for an angle grinder are also provided. The brush card assemblies provide for the securing of brush cards to a field case of the angle grinder by the interface between the field case and brush cards. Additionally, a spindle lock mechanism and a safety mechanism for an angle grinder are provided.

Abstract: A portable band saw includes a serviceable/replaceable bumper system for allowing the band saw to be easily repaired if damaged from being dropped. An auxiliary handle is adjustably mounted to the band saw and is releasable from its position if subjected to a large force so as to avoid damage to the handle and tool housing. An adjustable guide shoe includes a toolless adjustment. The front and rear section of the band saw are disposed on opposite sides of a polymeric field case. Compression rods are used to isolate compression forces from the polymeric field case. An electric box assembly including a plastic component box is disposed between the field case and a front section of the band saw. A crash guard is mounted adjacent to the field case and includes a sight guide along an edge thereof and a rear blade guard formed integrally therewith.

Abstract: An electrically powered belt sander comprising a housing, a dust flow path defined by the housing, a motor mounted in the housing at a first location and having an output shaft, a fan connectable to the motor output shaft and rotateably mounted in the housing at a second location a distance from the motor output shaft, a belt connectable between the motor output shaft and the fan whereby the rotation of the motor output shaft drives the rotation of the fan, and a damper located in the dust flow path and operable for blocking the dust flow path.

Abstract: An electrically powered belt sander comprising a housing, a dust flow path defined by the housing, a motor mounted in the housing at a first location and having an output shaft, a fan connectable to the motor output shaft and rotateably mounted in the housing at a second location a distance from the motor output shaft, a belt connectable between the motor output shaft and the fan whereby the rotation of the motor output shaft drives the rotation of the fan, and a damper located in the dust flow path and operable for blocking the dust flow path.

Abstract: A power tool is a “low profile” power tool, that is the overall height of the power tool is sufficiently small that a user can grasp the top of the power tool with the user's hand and the hand will be positioned relative close to the bottom of the power tool compared with existing power tools. The low profile power tool uses a low profile motor having a diameter to lamination height ratio of at least 2:1. In an aspect of the invention, the motor is an electronically commutated “pancake” style motor. In an aspect of the invention, the power tool is a random orbital sander or an orbital sander having a motor that provides at least 40 watts of power. In an aspect of the invention, the sander has a mechanical brake that brakes the orbital mechanism and the motor is dynamically braked.

Abstract: A frame for a portable power sander, the frame convertible into a stand for supporting the power sander in a stationary orientation wherein the abrasive belt is accessible, said frame comprising: a base; a leg connectable to the base, and a fence assembly connectable to the base.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool includes a clamp support, a biasing member and an actuation member. The clamp support is interconnected with the drive shaft for reciprocating motion with the drive shaft relative to a housing of the power tool. The clamp support is configured to selectively receive a saw blade of the power tool in various orientations. A release lever is carried by the housing and is manually rotated to move a control member between a first position in which the saw blade is coupled to the drive shaft and a second position in which the saw blade may be displaced from the drive shaft. In at least one of the orientations, the saw blade is positioned offset from the drive shaft and proximate one of the side walls of the tool housing to allow for flush cutting of a work piece.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool includes a clamp support, a biasing member and an actuation member. The clamp support is interconnected with the drive shaft for reciprocating motion with the drive shaft relative to a housing of the power tool. The clamp support is configured to selectively receive a saw blade of the power tool in various orientations. A release lever is carried by the housing and is manually rotated to move a control member between a first position in which the saw blade is coupled to the drive shaft and a second position in which the saw blade may be displaced from the drive shaft. In at least one of the orientations, the saw blade is positioned offset from the drive shaft and proximate one of the side walls of the tool housing to allow for flush cutting of a work piece.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool includes a clamp support, a biasing member and an actuation member. The clamp support is interconnected with the drive shaft for reciprocating motion with the drive shaft relative to a housing of the power tool. The clamp support is configured to selectively receive a saw blade of the power tool in various orientations. A release lever is carried by the housing and is manually rotated to move a control member between a first position in which the saw blade is coupled to the drive shaft and a second position in which the saw blade may be displaced from the drive shaft. In at least one of the orientations, the saw blade is positioned offset from the drive shaft and proximate one of the side walls of the tool housing to allow for flush cutting of a work piece.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool includes a clamp support, a biasing member and an actuation member. The clamp support is interconnected with the drive shaft for reciprocating motion with the drive shaft relative to a housing of the power tool. The clamp support is configured to selectively receive a saw blade of the power tool in various orientations. A release lever is carried by the housing and is manually rotated to move a control member between a first position in which the saw blade is coupled to the drive shaft and a second position in which the saw blade may be displaced from the drive shaft. In at least one of the orientations, the saw blade is positioned offset from the drive shaft and proximate one of the side walls of the tool housing to allow for flush cutting of a work piece.

Abstract: A powe tool includes a saw blade ejection mechanism for a saw blade clamping arrangement of a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the housing and a saw blade. The clamping arrangement is operative for releasably connecting the saw blade with the drive shaft. The saw blade ejection mechanism includes a mounting member and an elongated plunger. The mounting member is adapted for attachment to the drive shaft. The elongated plunger is connected to the mounting member for movement between a first position to a second position for ejecting the saw blade from the saw blade clamping arrangement.

Abstract: A powe tool includes a saw blade ejection mechanism for a saw blade clamping arrangement of a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the housing and a saw blade. The clamping arrangement is operative for releasably connecting the saw blade with the drive shaft. The saw blade ejection mechanism includes a mounting member and an elongated plunger. The mounting member is adapted for attachment to the drive shaft. The elongated plunger is connected to the mounting member for movement between a first position to a second position for ejecting the saw blade from the saw blade clamping arrangement.

Abstract: A powe tool includes a saw blade ejection mechanism for a saw blade clamping arrangement of a power tool. The power tool includes a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the housing and a saw blade. The clamping arrangement is operative for releasably connecting the saw blade with the drive shaft. The saw blade ejection mechanism includes a mounting member and an elongated plunger. The mounting member in adapted for attachment to the drive shaft. The elongated plunger is connected to the mounting member for movement between a first position to a second position for ejecting the saw blade from the saw blade clamping arrangement.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw 11 with a keyless blade clamp 35 having a slotted-channel 37 in a clamp body 39 for receiving a blade 40 alternatively in first and second, intersecting cutting planes. The blade 40 may be alternatively oriented in four 90° offset orientations with the blade teeth facing in the same directions as the top, bottom, left and right side of the saw 11. When the retainer 53 is in the clamp disengaged position, a blade 40 may be slidably inserted and removed from the channel 37 in any of the four 90° offset orientations. A retainer 53 is located in a track 51 in the clamp body 39 and is movable between clamp engaged and disengaged positions. When the blade 40 is located in the first cutting plane, the retainer 53 engages the edge 55 of the blade. When the blade 40 is in the second cutting plane, the retainer 53 engages the sidewall 57 of the blade 40.

Abstract: A hand-held power saw (10) having a housing (112) which includes a blade storage chamber (124) and a retaining member (130) for holding at least one spare saw blade (26) within the storage chamber. In one embodiment the retaining member comprises a rubber component having a pair of arms (136). Each arm has a groove (138) formed therein which holds a ball bearing (140). The ball bearings are biased into contact with one another once the retaining member is assembled into a housing portion of the tool within the storage chamber. When a spare saw blade is inserted into the storage chamber a portion thereof is urged between the ball bearings. The resiliency of the rubber arms causes the ball bearings to grasp the spare saw blade and retain it within the storage chamber. The opposite end of the blade engages a foam-like member (150) held within a recess (124c) at the opposite end of the storage chamber which prevents the blade from rattling within the chamber.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement particularly for power reciprocating saws and similar tools having a reciprocating shaft connected to a cutting member includes a locking member and a locating pin which cooperates to prevent inadvertent removal of the saw blade. The saw blade clamping arrangement further includes a support member carried by the drive shaft for movement therewith. The support member at least partially defines a longitudinal slot for receiving the saw blade. The locating pin extends into the longitudinal slot and is adapted for partial insertion into the aperture from a first side of the saw blade. The locking member, which in the preferred embodiment is a spherical bearing, is operative for selectively engaging the saw blade with the drive shaft. The locking member is movable to a locking position in which the locking member is partially inserted into the aperture from a second side of the saw blade.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement particularly for power reciprocating saws and similar tools having a reciprocating shaft connected to a cutting member includes a biasing member preferably in the form of a spring clamp member. The biasing member is interconnected with the drive shaft and operative for providing a biasing force to retain the cutting member in operative connection with the drive shaft. A release lever is pivotally mounted to a housing of the saw for movement between first and second position. In the first position the release lever is spaced apart from the biasing member. In the second position the release lever engages the biasing member and opposes the biasing force of the biasing member to permit quick and easy removal and replacement of the saw blade. The spring clamp member biases the saw blade into operative engagement with the drive shaft. In a second preferred embodiment, the spring clamp member biases a locking member into engagement with the saw blade.