Abstract: A hand held power tool, such as a circular saw, having a saw blade, grinding wheel or other tool disc and having a moveable guard member protectively covering a portion of the working surface of the tool disc, is provided with a guard retainer. The guard retainer comprises a retaining latch mounted to the tool for movement to a latching position to releasably hold the moveable guard member in a retracted position during operation of the power tool. Latch operating means are operably linked to the retaining latch to hold the retaining latch in the latching position against a biasing force. In the latching position a surface of the retaining latch engages a latch stop of the moveable guard member.