Abstract: A platen for supporting a wooden workpiece relative to cutting heads of a planing machine, said platen having an upper surface and a lower surface and said platen being integrally composed of a fiber reinforced composite material.

Abstract: The disclosed portable circular saw includes a motor having an axis, a housing enclosing the motor therein, a handle carried by the housing, an arbor operatively connected to the motor, the arbor having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the motor axis, and a shoe supporting the housing thereon. The housing is inclined at an angle relative to the shoe. The handle is also disposed between the housing and the shoe. Preferably, the housing inclination angle is about 45.degree.. The saw may also include a drive shaft disposed on the motor axis and a transmission mechanism connected to the arbor and the drive shaft. This transmission mechanism creates a torque in the rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the arbor. Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear disposed on the drive shaft, and a second gear disposed on the arbor, where the second gear meshes with the first gear.

Abstract: The disclosed portable circular saw includes a motor having an axis, a housing enclosing the motor therein, a handle carried by the housing, an arbor operatively connected to the motor, the arbor having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the motor axis, and a shoe supporting the housing thereon. The housing is inclined at an angle relative to the shoe. The handle is also disposed between the housing and the shoe. Preferably, the housing inclination angle is about 45.degree.. The saw may also include a drive shaft disposed on the motor axis and a transmission mechanism connected to the arbor and the drive shaft. This transmission mechanism creates a torque in the rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the arbor. Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear disposed on the drive shaft, and a second gear disposed on the arbor, where the second gear meshes with the first gear.

Abstract: The disclosed portable circular saw includes a motor having an axis, a housing enclosing the motor therein, a handle carried by the housing, an arbor operatively connected to the motor, the arbor having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the motor axis, and a shoe supporting the housing thereon. The housing is inclined at an angle relative to the shoe. The handle is also disposed between the housing and the shoe. Preferably, the housing inclination angle is about 45.degree.. The saw may also include a drive shaft disposed on the motor axis and a transmission mechanism connected to the arbor and the drive shaft. This transmission mechanism creates a torque in the rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the arbor. Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear disposed on the drive shaft, and a second gear disposed on the arbor, where the second gear meshes with the first gear.