Abstract: A fastening power tool such as a nailer is provided including a tool housing, an input unit actuated in response to an operator input, and a motor assembly including a motor housed within the tool housing. A control unit is provided including a controller programmable to control an operation of the motor and a decoder circuit configured to control a supply of power from a power source to the controller based on a status of the power source and a status of the input unit. The decoder circuit is configured to connect supply of power from the power source to the controller when the power tool is coupled to the power source prior to an engagement of the input unit, but disconnect the supply of power when the power tool is coupled to the power source after the engagement of the input unit.

Abstract: A nail channel for a fastening tool. The nail channel can be a unitary piece or have a variety of parts. The nail channel can have a first portion provided by a fastener magazine and a second portion provided by a nosepiece insert. The nail channel can be formed when the nosepiece insert is reversibly engaged with a nose end of a nailer magazine. The nail channel can also position a fastener, such as a nail, for driving into a workpiece. Methods of forming and using the nail channel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power tool that includes a structure; a flywheel coupled to the structure; a driver that is translatable along a driver axis; and a follower assembly having an actuator and an activation arm assembly. The actuator is coupled to the activation arm assembly. The activation arm assembly is coupled to the structure and includes a pinch roller. Actuation of the actuator causes the pinch roller to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel.

Abstract: The miter saw has a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base assembly, a saw assembly rotatably supported by the table, and a bevel lock assembly for locking the rotational position of the saw assembly relative to the table.

Abstract: The miter saw has a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base assembly, a saw assembly rotatably supported by the table, and a bevel lock assembly for locking the rotational position of the saw assembly relative to the table.

Abstract: A fastening tool rafter hook system supporting a power tool includes a power tool round section proximate to a tool handle. The round section has multiple pairs of indexing apertures, each positioned incrementally from a successive pair. A two piece rafter hook system includes: a first piece having a rafter hook band with a semi-circular band portion positioned in direct contact with the round section; and a second piece defining an “L” shaped rafter hook. The rafter hook includes: a first hook portion having first and second indexing bolts connected to the first hook portion; and a second hook portion oriented normal to the first portion. The first and second indexing bolts create detent connections when engaged with the indexing apertures. Connection of the first and second indexing bolts to any pair of indexing apertures releasably retains the rafter hook at selectable predefined orientations on the round section.

Abstract: A driving tool with a driver and a motor-driven flywheel that can be engaged by the driver to propel the driver along a driver axis. The driving tool includes a return mechanism with a rail onto which the driver is received. The rail extends parallel to the driver axis.

Abstract: A fastening tool rafter hook system supporting a power tool includes a power tool round section proximate to a tool handle. The round section has multiple pairs of indexing apertures, each positioned incrementally from a successive pair. A two piece rafter hook system includes: a first piece having a rafter hook band with a semi-circular band portion positioned in direct contact with the round section; and a second piece defining an “L” shaped rafter hook. The rafter hook includes: a first hook portion having first and second indexing bolts connected to the first hook portion; and a second hook portion oriented normal to the first portion. The first and second indexing bolts create detent connections when engaged with the indexing apertures. Connection of the first and second indexing bolts to any pair of indexing apertures releasably retains the rafter hook at selectable predefined orientations on the round section.

Abstract: A power tool including an activation arm assembly having an actuator coupled to the activation arm assembly, the activation arm assembly being coupled to the structure and including a roller assembly having a roller, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the roller assembly to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel; The activation arm assembly further includes a follower arm that engages the roller, the follower arm including a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the second mounting portion being pivotally coupled to the actuator and slidingly engaged with the carriage, the first mounting portion being biased in a direction toward the driver. The follower arm has a non-linear profile.

Abstract: A fastening power tool such as a nailer is provided including a tool housing, an input unit actuated in response to an operator input, and a motor assembly including a motor housed within the tool housing. A control unit is provided including a controller programmable to control an operation of the motor and a decoder circuit configured to control a supply of power from a power source to the controller based on a status of the power source and a status of the input unit. The decoder circuit is configured to connect supply of power from the power source to the controller when the power tool is coupled to the power source prior to an engagement of the input unit, but disconnect the supply of power when the power tool is coupled to the power source after the engagement of the input unit.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a feed funnel adapted to position a nail for driving into a workpiece and which can guide the nail during driving. The feed funnel can be part of a magazine interface, or a nosepiece insert, or the feed funnel can be a unitary part. The feed funnel can also be formed by portions of the magazine interface and the nosepiece insert. Methods using the feed funnel for feeding and driving one or more nails are disclosed.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a lockout mechanism which has a dry fire lockout which achieves a controlled lockout override. The lockout mechanism can be part of a fastening tool magazine, a pusher assembly or a nosepiece contact trip. The lockout mechanism can be an angled lockout, a torsion spring lockout, or a fixed member lockout. The fastening tool can have a method of controlling lockout override using a lockout control angle.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a fastening tool having a spring curl trip actuator. The spring curl trip actuator can be made of a flexible material and can be configured to exert a force upon a trigger switch. The spring curl trip actuator can also absorb force from a contact trip. The spring curl trip actuator can have compact height and length dimensions. The fastening tool can use a method for controlling triggering by using a spring curl trip actuator.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The magazine can also use a lockout mechanism which allows an operator to know when it is appropriate to reload fasteners and which can mitigate damage resulting from an impact upon the fastening tools nosepiece when the lockout mechanism is engaged. The fastening tool can also have a contact trip actuator which is compact and can control the amount of force that is applied to a tactile switch of the fastener driving mechanism.

Abstract: A nosepiece assembly for a fastening tool that has a contact surface made of a contact material. The contact surface can provide the nosepiece assembly wear resistance against the action of nails and/or a driver blade of a nailer. The nosepiece assembly can optionally have one or more of a nosepiece insert, a nail stop and a blade guide, each of which can be made at least in part of the contact material. The contact material can be investment cast.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a nail stop which positions a nail for driving and is made at least in part of a contact material which can be investment cast and/or hardened. The contact material can resist wear from the action of driving the nail and the movement of a driver blade. The nail stop can be configured to align nails fed from a magazine and can be offset from the longitudinal centerline of the fastening tool. The nail stop can have a head contact length which is 0.5% to 95% of the length of the nail to be driven. The nail stop is used in methods for positioning a nail for driving.

Abstract: A nail channel for a fastening tool. The nail channel can be a unitary piece or have a variety of parts. The nail channel can have a first portion provided by a fastener magazine and a second portion provided by a nosepiece insert. The nail channel can be formed when the nosepiece insert is reversibly engaged with a nose end of a nailer magazine. The nail channel can also position a fastener, such as a nail, for driving into a workpiece. Methods of forming and using the nail channel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A driving tool with a driver and a motor-driven flywheel that can be engaged by the driver to propel the driver along a driver axis. The driving tool includes a return mechanism with a rail onto which the driver is received. The rail extends parallel to the driver axis.

Abstract: A driving tool with a driver and a motor-driven flywheel that can be engaged by the driver to propel the driver along a driver axis. The driving tool includes a return mechanism with a rail onto which the driver is received. The rail extends parallel to the driver axis.