Abstract: A protective redundancy circuit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor. The protective redundant subsystem is comprised of: a motor switch coupled in series with the motor; a motor control module that controls the switching operation of the motor switch; and a protective control module that monitors switching operation of the motor switch and disables the power tool when the switching operation of the motor switch fails. In the context of an AC powered tool, the switching operation of the motor switch is correlated to and synchronized to the waveform of the AC input signal. During each cycle or half cycle, the motor control module introduces a delay period before closing the motor switch and the protective control module determines the operational status of the motor switch by measuring the voltage across the motor switch during the delay period.

Abstract: A vacuum electronic power tool sense system senses the operation of a power tool that is plugged into an auxiliary outlet box and the vacuum source is automatically operated to facilitate user clean-up of debris generated by use of the power tool. The auxiliary outlet box can be removably mounted to the vacuum housing.

Abstract: A protective redundancy circuit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor. The protective redundant subsystem is comprised of: a motor switch coupled in series with the motor; a motor control module that controls the switching operation of the motor switch; and a protective control module that monitors switching operation of the motor switch and disables the power tool when the switching operation of the motor switch fails. In the context of an AC powered tool, the switching operation of the motor switch is correlated to and synchronized to the waveform of the AC input signal. During each cycle or half cycle, the motor control module introduces a delay period before closing the motor switch and the protective control module determines the operational status of the motor switch by measuring the voltage across the motor switch during the delay period.

Abstract: A power tool for drilling a hole in a workpiece made of wood or a wood material. The power tool generally includes a tool housing defining a handle and a motor contained within the tool housing that includes an output shaft that spins about a motor axis. A gear housing is connected to the tool housing. An output spindle is supported for rotation about a spindle axis in the gear housing. The spindle axis is disposed about ninety degrees from the motor axis. A gear portion on the output shaft is engaged to a gear portion on the output spindle. The motor and the gear portions are configured to rotate the output spindle at a speed in range from about five thousand revolutions per minute to about twenty-five thousand revolutions per minute. A cutting member is connected to the output spindle. The cutting member includes fluted cutting blades. A carriage assembly includes a base member and a head member connected by a first post having a first compliant member and a second post.

Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A vacuum electronic power tool sense system senses the operation of a power tool that is plugged into an auxiliary outlet box and the vacuum source is automatically operated to facilitate user clean-up of debris generated by use of the power tool. The auxiliary outlet box can be removably mounted to the vacuum housing.

Abstract: A power tool for drilling a hole in a workpiece made of wood or a wood material. The power tool generally includes a tool housing defining a handle and a motor contained within the tool housing that includes an output shaft that spins about a motor axis. A gear housing is connected to the tool housing. An output spindle is supported for rotation about a spindle axis in the gear housing. The spindle axis is disposed about ninety degrees from the motor axis. A gear portion on the output shaft is engaged to a gear portion on the output spindle. The motor and the gear portions are configured to rotate the output spindle at a speed in range from about five thousand revolutions per minute to about twenty-five thousand revolutions per minute. A cutting member is connected to the output spindle. The cutting member includes fluted cutting blades. A carriage assembly includes a base member and a head member connected by a first post having a first compliant member and a second post.

Abstract: A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead.

Abstract: A self-oscillating buck mode battery charger apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 includes a main switching transistor 22, a first control transistor 34 and a second control transistor 36. The control transistors 34 and 36 are arranged such that neither control transistor sees the full input mains voltage across input terminals 12 of the apparatus 10 when the switching transistor 22 is turned off. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes a high and low main sensing circuit 102 in which a controller 120 is used to detect an excessively high mains voltage condition as well as an undesirably low mains voltage condition. The controller 120 turns off a PWM control circuit 104 when either condition is present for a predetermined length of time. Turning off the PWM control circuit 104 causes the main switching transistor 106 to be turned off, thereby preventing damage to the components of the charger apparatus 100.