Abstract: A marker for burying adjacent an underground structure such that a location of the underground structure can be identified from above a ground surface. The marker comprises a housing, a gimbal beacon retention device pivotally disposed within the housing, and a beacon device carried by the gimbal beacon retention device. The gimbal beacon retention device is structured and operable to orient the beacon device in a desired orientation relative to a ground surface regardless of the orientation of the housing relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A cable stripping tool is provided for making a circumferential or ring cut and a spiral cut in the jacket of a cable. A cutting blade of the tool includes first and second blade portions which are integrally formed with each other and are angled relative to each other. In use, after the cutting blade penetrates the jacket, the tool is rotated in a first direction and the first blade portion cuts the jacket to form a ring cut. The tool is then rotated in a second, opposite direction and the second blade portion cuts the jacket to form a spiral cut. Thereafter, the tool is rotated in the first direction and the first blade portion cuts the jacket to form a ring cut. The cuttings by the blade portions are done without disengaging the cutting blade from the cable.

Abstract: A marker for burying adjacent an underground structure such that a location of the underground structure can be identified from above a ground surface. The marker comprises a housing, a gimbal beacon retention device pivotally disposed within the housing, and a beacon device carried by the gimbal beacon retention device. The gimbal beacon retention device is structured and operable to orient the beacon device in a desired orientation relative to a ground surface regardless of the orientation of the housing relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A cable stripping tool according to some embodiments of the disclosure is provided for making circumferential or ring cut and a spiral cut in the jacket of a cable. A cutting blade of the tool includes first and second blade portions which are integrally formed with each other and are angled relative to each other. In use, after the cutting blade penetrates the jacket, the tool is rotated in a first direction and the first blade portion cuts the jacket to form a ring cut. The tool is then rotated in a second, opposite direction and the second blade portion cuts the jacket to form a spiral cut. Thereafter, the tool is rotated in the first direction and the first blade portion cuts the jacket to form a ring cut. The cuttings by the blade portions are done without disengaging the cutting blade from the cable.

Abstract: An assembly includes a fish tape device or a duct rodding device having digital measurement unit attached thereto. A tape is housed in the fish tape device or a duct rodding device and is paid out of the device. The digital measurement unit includes an optical sensor which is positioned proximate to the tape. As the tape is passed by the optical sensor, the optical sensor uses digital image correlation to take successive images of the tape to determine a length measurement of tape that has passed by the optical sensor.

Abstract: An assembly includes a fish tape device or a duct rodding device having digital measurement unit attached thereto. A tape is housed in the fish tape device or a duct rodding device and is paid out of the device. The digital measurement unit includes an optical sensor which is positioned proximate to the tape. As the tape is passed by the optical sensor, the optical sensor uses digital image correlation to take successive images of the tape to determine a length measurement of tape that has passed by the optical sensor.

Abstract: A stud punch tool includes a lower frame, an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower frame, and a punching assembly attached to the lower frame and to the upper handle. The lower frame includes a body portion, a pair of ears extending upwardly therefrom, and a head portion and a handle portion extending from the body portion. The upper handle is attached to the ears. The punching assembly is connected to the head portion and is connected to the upper handle proximate to the connection of the upper handle to the ears. The upper handle can be gripped by a user for movement relative to the lower frame to cause the punching assembly to punch a hole in an associated workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly includes a hole saw, an arbor, a collar and a nut. The hole saw is formed from a back plate and a skirt which has a cutting edge on its free end. A passageway is provided through the hole saw. The arbor is rotatably mounted to the hole saw and extends through the passageway. The collar is nonrotatably mounted on the arbor. The collar has a protrusion extending from an end face thereof. A nut is rotatably mounted on the arbor. The collar is trapped between the nut and the hole saw. The nut directly bears against the end face and the protrusion of the collar, which causes the nut to cock relative to the collar. As a result, the nut does not easily come loose on the arbor, even during aggressive use.

Abstract: A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly includes a hole saw, an arbor, a collar and a nut. The hole saw is formed from a back plate and a skirt which has a cutting edge on its free end. A passageway is provided through the hole saw. The arbor is rotatably mounted to the hole saw and extends through the passageway. The collar is nonrotatably mounted on the arbor. The collar has a protrusion extending from an end face thereof. A nut is rotatably mounted on the arbor. The collar is trapped between the nut and the hole saw. The nut directly bears against the end face and the protrusion of the collar, which causes the nut to cock relative to the collar. As a result, the nut does not easily come loose on the arbor, even during aggressive use.

Abstract: A stud punch tool includes a lower frame, an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower frame, and a punching assembly attached to the lower frame and to the upper handle. The lower frame includes a body portion, a pair of ears extending upwardly therefrom, and a head portion and a handle portion extending from the body portion. The upper handle is attached to the ears. The punching assembly is connected to the head portion and is connected to the upper handle proximate to the connection of the upper handle to the ears. The upper handle can be gripped by a user for movement relative to the lower frame to cause the punching assembly to punch a hole in an associated workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hole saw and pilot bit assembly. The pilot bit of the assembly has a portion which is devoid of flute and lobes and a portion including flutes and lobes. The portion including flutes and lobes further includes a portion which is tapered.

Abstract: A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for stacking wires or cables is provided. The device includes an attachment portion capable of attachment to a stud or other anchor, and a wire or cable receiving portion connected to the attachment portion. The wire or cable receiving portion has a plurality of segments which form a generally serpentine-shaped spine, thereby providing a plurality of wire or cable receiving slots. A pair of spaced apart tabs extend from each main portion. Each said tab has an end attached to the respective main portion and an opposite end which is free. Each tab curves outwardly and downwardly from the respective main portion and at least partially overlaps the respective wire or cable receiving slot.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.