Abstract: An improved chop saw may include a base assembly, a blade assembly including a blade having a center and a motor for driving the blade, an arm pivotally attached to the base assembly and carrying the blade assembly, the blade assembly being movable between a lower position for engaging and cutting a workpiece disposed on the base, and an upper position not engaging the workpiece. The chop saw further includes a vise for holding the workpiece in place, the vise including a vise screw, a latch support supporting the vise screw, and a vise jaw disposed at the end of the vise screw. Preferably, the maximum distance between the vise jaw and the latch support is about equal or shorter than the distance between the blade center and the latch support, when the blade assembly is at the lower position. Further the chop saw includes a substantially horizontal handle connected to the blade assembly.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, an arbor driven by the motor, a rotatable cutting tool disposed on the arbor and having a rotational axis, the cutting tool further having a hole, first and second clamps connected to the arbor and clamping the blade, wherein one of the cutting tool and at least one of the first and second clamps and arbor have a first drive surface for contacting a second drive surface on the other of the cutting tool and the at least one of the first and second clamps and arbor, the second drive surface being movable between a first position contacting the first drive surface and a second position bypassing the first drive surface. The second drive surface is resiliently connected to the other of the cutting tool and the at least one of the first and second clamps and arbor. At least one metal strip connects the second drive surface to the other of the blade and the at least one of the first and second clamps and arbor.

Abstract: An improved chop saw may include a base assembly, a blade assembly including a blade having a center and a motor for driving the blade, an arm pivotally attached to the base assembly and carrying the blade assembly, the blade assembly being movable between a lower position for engaging and cutting a workpiece disposed on the base, and an upper position not engaging the workpiece. The chop saw further includes a vise for holding the workpiece in place, the vise including a vise screw, a latch support supporting the vise screw, and a vise jaw disposed at the end of the vise screw. Preferably, the maximum distance between the vise jaw and the latch support is about equal or shorter than the distance between the blade center and the latch support, when the blade assembly is at the lower position. Further the chop saw includes a substantially horizontal handle connected to the blade assembly.