Abstract: A food waste disposer has a motor driven with pulse width modulation (“PWM”). A grinding profile is controlled based on PWM values of the PWM controller driving the motor. In an aspect, controlling the grinding profile includes varying the speed of the motor based on the PWM values. In an aspect, the grinding profile is initiated after the food waste disposer is started and a PWM value exceeds a set value indicating the presence of a grinding load in a grinding section of the food waste disposer. In an aspect, it is determined that the grinding load has been sufficiently ground once the PWM value does not exceed a first set value after the grinding profile has been initiated. In an aspect, corrective action is initiated when the PWM value exceeds the set value after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An optical system for projecting an alignment marker on to a workpiece relative to the circular blade of a power saw. The light projection system projects a planar beam of light along a plane defined by one side of the blade to designate the location at which that side of the blade will enter the workpiece. An adjustment mechanism may be included to allow movement of the light projection system so that the planar beam of light can be selectively located parallel to the plane defined by either side of the blade.

Abstract: A miter saw with an optical system for projecting an optical alignment marker onto a workpiece. The miter saw has a base, a turntable rotatably supported by the base, a fence disposed above the base for supporting the orientation of the workpiece located on the base, a support coupled to the rear portion of the turntable, and a cutting apparatus including a blade for cutting the workpiece. The cutting apparatus is pivotally coupled to the support for positioning the blade from a raised position above the workpiece to an operational position for engagement with the workpiece. The light projection system is attached to the cutting apparatus for projecting an optical alignment marker onto the workpiece so that the location at which the blade engages the workpiece is in a selectably adjustable relationship with respect to the position of the optical alignment marker on the workpiece.

Abstract: A combined belt and disc sander is disclosed which provides a belt sander than can be pivoted from a horizontal to vertical position, a disc sander that is fixed below the upper horizontal plane of the belt sander, and a drive motor assembly than can drive both the belt sander and disc sander. A movable work table for supporting a workpiece is capable of being used with the belt sander or the disc sander, as may be desired. The angle of the work table relative to the belt sander or the disc sander can be adjusted so that the workpiece can be placed at the desired angle relative to the belt or disc sander. The sander further includes a sawdust collection mechanism that can be attached to a utility vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An angularly adjustable band saw is disclosed which provides the desired angular adjustment of an endless band saw blade relative to a workable surface for bevel and/or miter cutting of a workpiece. The worktable surface is part of a supporting worktable that includes a saw blade slot extending through the worktable surface. A frame support is fixed to the worktable below the worktable surface and a movable frame is operatively connected relative to the frame support. The movable frame includes an upper band saw supporting wheel above the worktable surface and a lower band saw supporting wheel below the worktable surface, with an endless band saw blade mounted for movement about the upper and lower band saw supporting wheels, including through the saw blade slot in the worktable surface.

Abstract: A power saw includes a motor for driving a saw blade or the like around its rotational axis to cut a workpiece. The position of the rotational axis with respect to a reference position is sensed and a manually operated keyboard is provided for entering a desired change in the position of the rotational axis. Positioning motors are provided along with circuitry which is responsive to the entering of a desired change in the position of the rotational axis of the saw blade for moving the axis correspondingly.