Abstract: A reciprocating saw, including a housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having an end adapted to receive a saw blade, the saw blade having a first orientation relative to the spindle to have a first cutting direction and a second orientation relative to the spindle to have a second cutting direction opposite the first cutting direction, and a drive assembly connected to the spindle and operable to selectively drive the saw blade along a first path of travel during a first cutting stroke and along a second path of travel during a second cutting stroke. The first path of travel is characterized by movement at least partially in the first cutting direction and the second path of travel is characterized by movement at least partially in the second cutting direction.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a power tool, a power tool and a reciprocating saw. The power tool includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing and including a drive shaft, an output member supported by the housing and adapted to support a tool element, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive assembly driven by the drive shaft for rotation about an axis, the drive assembly including a gear, a hub selectively driven by the gear for rotation about the axis, and structure positioned between the gear and the hub, the structure selectively transmitting drive force between the gear and the hub and selectively allows relative movement between the gear and the hub. The drive mechanism may also include a drive arm drivingly connected between the drive assembly and the output member of a tool, and the drive arm may be configured to absorb an impact.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw. The saw including a housing, a spindle supported for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having an end selectively supporting a saw blade, a motor for moving the end during a cutting stroke and a return stroke, and path defining structure interconnected with the spindle and defining a first path of travel of the end relative to the housing during a first cutting stroke and during a first return stroke and a second path of travel of the end relative to the housing during a second cutting stroke and during a second return stroke, the second path of travel being different than the first path of travel. The saw blade is selectively supported in a first orientation relative to the spindle to have a first cutting direction and in a second orientation relative to the spindle to have a second cutting direction opposite the first cutting direction. The first path of travel is characterized by movement at least partially in the first cutting direction during the first cutting stroke.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw generally includes a housing and a motor supported by the housing. A spindle is mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end for supporting a saw blade and being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, and the cutting stroke may have a stroke length. A rotary member may be supported for rotation about a rotary axis. The saw may further include an adjusting assembly operable to adjust the stroke length of the spindle. Also, the saw may include a counterweight supported for movement relative to the housing, a movement of the counterweight substantially balancing at least a portion of movement of the spindle, and an adjusting assembly operable to adjust the movement of the counterweight.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.

Abstract: A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of reciprocating the front end of the spindle along a first path during the cutting stroke and along the same first path during the return stroke, and adjusting the saw such that the front end reciprocates along a second path during the cutting stroke and along the same second path during the return stroke, the second path being oblique to the first path. The present invention also provides a method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of moving the front end along a first cutting path during the cutting stroke, the first cutting path characterized by movement at least partially in a first cutting direction, returning the front end along a return stroke (e.g., along the first cutting path), and adjusting the saw such that the front end moves along a second cutting path during the cutting stroke, the second cutting path characterized by movement at least partially in a second cutting direction.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.

Abstract: A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of reciprocating the front end of the spindle along a first path during the cutting stroke and along the same first path during the return stroke, and adjusting the saw such that the front end reciprocates along a second path during the cutting stroke and along the same second path during the return stroke, the second path being oblique to the first path. The present invention also provides a method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of moving the front end along a first cutting path during the cutting stroke, the first cutting path characterized by movement at least partially in a first cutting direction, returning the front end along a return stroke (e.g., along the first cutting path), and adjusting the saw such that the front end moves along a second cutting path during the cutting stroke, the second cutting path characterized by movement at least partially in a second cutting direction.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.

Abstract: A bandsaw assembly including an improved drive belt tensioning device which enables efficient manual engagement and disengagement from the drive belt through use of an overcenter bracket. The overcenter bracket includes a spring releasably holding the tensioning device out of engagement with the belt to permit the operator to use both hands during a belt changing operation.

Abstract: A dust collection system for both a belt sander and a disc sander in which the dust collector for the belt sander has a removable upper section to enable a workpiece longer than the belt bed to be sanded and the disc dust collector has the front lower one-half removable therefrom to expose the entire disc for sanding. In addition, and end stop is associated with the belt sander which is formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate having a plurality of U-shaped orifices at the bottom thereof to form a comb-like structure that allows a greater amount of dust to enter the dust collector for the belt sander.

Abstract: A quick release for enabling a belt bed in a belt sander to be selectively rotated 90.degree. from the horizontal to the vertical in a simple manner. A C-shaped collar forms a portion of the frame and a support is attached to the belt bed and positioned within the C-shaped collar. The C-shaped collar may be tightened about the support in either the horizontal or vertical position of the belt bed to maintain the bed in the selected position.