Abstract: A dust or chip collection and diversion system is provided for a device having a cutting tool for performing a working operation on a workpiece. The position and orientation of the dust-receiving or dust-collecting opening remains constant with respect to the cutting tool regardless of the position or configuration of the device, the device having a movable blade or other cutting tool, thus greatly enhancing the dust collection effectiveness in any of a number of operational configurations. Such position and orientation of the dust-receiving opening is also independent of the movement or position of any adjustable or movable guard or workpiece-supporting fence.

Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences movably attached to a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade. A fixed clamping arrangement is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimizes the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces.

Abstract: An improved throat plate is disclosed herein. The throat plate includes a main body, an opening in the main body for allowing a cutting tool to extend therethrough, and a retainer assembly attached to the main body for retaining the throat plate in contact with the table. Preferably the retainer assembly is pivotally attached to the main body and/or is movable between a first position contacting the table and a second position bypassing the table. The retaining assembly may pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of the table. The retainer assembly may also include an extension that contacts underside of the table. The extension in turn may include a camming surface contacting the underside of the table.

Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences movably attached to a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade. A fixed clamping arrangement is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimizes the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces.

Abstract: A body 52 of a chuck 30 has an axial opening 34 and is formed with three spaced radial slots 58 which receive three respective locking fingers 68 extending radially inward from a circular band 66. The band 66 is located outside of, and rotatable relative to, the body 52. The band 66 and the locking fingers 68 form a latching unit 64 which is confined to a transaxial plane 61. A spring 70 is attached the latching unit 64 and to the body 52 and normally urges each of the locking fingers 68 against one end of the respective slots 58. A plurality of spaced ribs 54 extend radially inward from an inner wall of the opening 34. A bit 36 is formed with a shank 38 having a plurality of axial grooves 42 which extend through a free end of the shank. A wall of each groove 42 is formed with a transaxial groove 50 at a prescribed distance from the free end of the shank 38.

Abstract: An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a stationary rail and a movable rail. The fence is mounted to the movable rail. A set of shims are located between the two rails in order to eliminate any play between the two rails. The shims are sized such that the shims associated with the movable rail are able to pass over the shims associated with the stationary rail to provide complete adjustability to the movable rail and thus the fence.

Abstract: As system for clamping an rotary tool accessory disc or blade to an output shaft of a rotary tool comprising a cam clamping mechanism and a clutch assembly wherein the cam clamping mechanism comprises: a head element threadably engageable with the output shaft at a location axially outward of the accessory disc; a cam rotatably connected to the head element and rotatable between a clamped and unclamped position, wherein the clamped position the cam exerts a compression force axially inward against the accessory disc or blade; and wherein the clutch assembly comprises: at least one first type of disc located coaxially on and keyed to the output shaft; at least one second type of disc located coaxially on the output shaft and in planar parallel contact with the first type disc; and an inner washer having an internal bore, the inner washer located coaxially on the output shaft, axially outward of and surrounding the first type disc and the second type disc, the inner washer keyed at the internal bore to the seco

Abstract: A machine tool has a work table which defines a working surface and has a cutting tool which is attached to and movable with respect to the work table. The position of the cutting tool with respect to the working surface is controlled by a mechanism which elevates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface and angulates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface. The cutting tool is mounted to a support plate which is pivotably attached to the work table. The elevating mechanism includes a threaded rod and a nut which engages a pivoting link. The pivoting link also engages the cutting tool. Rotation of the threaded rod pivots the link which in turn raises and lowers the cutting tool. A spring biases the cutting tool towards its lower position to remove play between the components. The angulating mechanism includes a lever, two cams and a locking rod. Rotation of the lever moves the locking rod longitudinally due to the action between the two cams.

Abstract: A scroll saw including an adjustable tensioning mechanism is disclosed. The saw includes a housing having an inner surface and a pivoting arm having a rearward end disposed within an opening in the housing. A first blade clamp is disposed at the forward end of the pivoting arm and secures the upper end of a saw blade. The lower end of the saw blade is secured in a second blade clamp disposed at the forward end of a lower arm. A wedge is disposed within the housing, in contact with the inner surface of the housing. The wedge also is disposed in contact with and translatable along a surface of the pivoting arm. A rod is linked to the wedge at one end and extends through the pivoting arm. The rod includes an upwardly turned arm. A cam having a spiral track is rotatably mounted at the front of the pivoting arm with the upwardly turned arm disposed in the track.

Abstract: A table saw including a base, a main table supported by the base, first and second rails attached to the table, a sliding table fixedly attached to the rails and sliding along the longitudinal axis of the rails and a cross-cut table slidably movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. The cross-cut table may be adjusted to ensure movement parallel to a blade protruding from the main table. An improved miter gauge assembly is also disclosed. An improved fence assembly is further disclosed herein. In addition, a table saw having an improved panel and leg construction is disclosed herein.

Abstract: A machine tool has a work table which defines a working surface and has a cutting tool which is attached to and movable with respect to the work table. The position of the cutting tool with respect to the working surface is controlled by a mechanism which elevates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface and angulates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface. The cutting tool is mounted to a support plate which is pivotably attached to the work table. The elevating mechanism includes a threaded rod and a nut which engages a pivoting link. The pivoting link also engages the cutting tool. Rotation of the threaded rod pivots the link which in turn raises and lowers the cutting tool. A spring biases the cutting tool towards its lower position to remove play between the components. The angulating mechanism includes a lever, two cams and a locking rod. Rotation of the lever moves the locking rod longitudinally due to the action between the two cams.

Abstract: A scroll saw including an adjustable tensioning mechanism is disclosed. The saw includes a housing having an inner surface and a pivoting arm having a rearward end disposed within an opening in the housing. A first blade clamp is disposed at the forward end of the pivoting arm and secures the upper end of a saw blade. The lower end of the saw blade is secured in a second blade clamp disposed at the forward end of a lower arm. A wedge is disposed within the housing, in contact with the inner surface of the housing. The wedge also is disposed in contact with and translatable along a surface of the pivoting arm. A rod is linked to the wedge at one end and extends through the pivoting arm. The rod includes an upwardly turned arm. A cam having a spiral track is rotatably mounted at the front of the pivoting arm with the upwardly turned arm disposed in the track.

Abstract: An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool.

Abstract: A machine tool has a work table which defines a working surface and has a cutting tool which is attached to and movable with respect to the work table. The cutting tool extends through a removable throat plate. An integral arbor wrench is provided which is accessible when the throat plate is removed. The wrench is designed to engage the arbor shaft to facilitate tool changing by preventing rotation of the arbor shaft. The wrench is also designed to not allow reassembling of the throat plate when the wrench is in engagement with the arbor shaft.

Abstract: A miter saw workstation apparatus includes a miter saw comprising a base, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base for rotation about a first axis, a pivot block rotatably attached to the table for rotation about a second axis, a pivot arm rotatably attached to the pivot block for rotation about a third axis, a miter saw unit supported by the pivot arm, the miter saw unit comprising a blade and a motor for driving the blade, a first servo rotationally driving the table, a second servo rotationally driving the pivot block, a third servo rotationally driving the pivot arm, and a controller connected to the first, second and third servos. Further disclosed is an improved tape measure comprising a housing, a ruler tape disposed in the housing for measuring a length, a tape output circuit disposed in the housing for determining the measured length, a transmitter connected to the tape output circuit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the measured length.

Abstract: A dust collector includes a main housing, a dust inlet disposed on the main housing, an air outlet disposed on the main housing, and an inclined filter disposed within the main housing and between the dust inlet and the air outlet. Preferably, the filter is pleated. The dust collector may also include a removable bin disposed within the main housing and preferably disposed below the filter. A seal may be disposed between the bin and the main housing. Similarly, the dust collector may also include a removable liner disposed within the main housing and preferably disposed below the filter. A seal may be disposed between the liner and the main housing. A baffle may be disposed within the main housing and preferably disposed between the filter and the dust inlet. The main housing may comprise a bottom portion and a top portion pivotally attached to the bottom portion. The dust inlet is preferably disposed on the top portion. Similarly, the air outlet is preferably disposed on the top portion.

Abstract: An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool. A pair of scales is disposed on one of the movable rails.