Abstract: A hole cutter can include a cylindrical blade body with a cutting edge and one or more axially-elongated apertures. Each axially-elongated aperture can include a first fulcrum axially spaced from the cutting edge, and a second fulcrum axially spaced further away from the cutting edge than the first fulcrum. The blade body can also include a third fulcrum defined by a second aperture different from the one or more axially-elongated apertures. The third fulcrum may be spaced closer to the cutting than the first and second fulcrums. A lever, such as a screw driver, can be inserted into the apertures and placed against each of the fulcrums to lever slugs out of the interior of the blade body. The third fulcrum may alternatively be defined by another axially-elongated aperture that is located a different distance from the cutting edge than the axially-elongated aperture containing the first and second fulcrums.

Abstract: A hole cutter can include a cylindrical blade body with a cutting edge and one or more axially-elongated apertures. Each axially-elongated aperture can include a first fulcrum axially spaced from the cutting edge, and a second fulcrum axially spaced further away from the cutting edge than the first fulcrum. The blade body can also include a third fulcrum defined by a second aperture different from the one or more axially-elongated apertures. The third fulcrum may be spaced closer to the cutting than the first and second fulcrums. A lever, such as a screw driver, can be inserted into the apertures and placed against each of the fulcrums to lever slugs out of the interior of the blade body. The third fulcrum may alternatively be defined by another axially-elongated aperture that is located a different distance from the cutting edge than the axially-elongated aperture containing the first and second fulcrums.

Abstract: A hole cutter can include a cylindrical blade body with a cutting edge and one or more axially-elongated apertures. Each axially-elongated aperture can include a first fulcrum axially spaced from the cutting edge, and a second fulcrum axially spaced further away from the cutting edge than the first fulcrum. The blade body can also include a third fulcrum defined by a second aperture different from the one or more axially-elongated apertures. The third fulcrum may be spaced closer to the cutting than the first and second fulcrums. A lever, such as a screw driver, can be inserted into the apertures and placed against each of the fulcrums to lever slugs out of the interior of the blade body. The third fulcrum may alternatively be defined by another axially-elongated aperture that is located a different distance from the cutting edge than the axially-elongated aperture containing the first and second fulcrums.

Abstract: A hole cutter can include a cylindrical blade body with a cutting edge and one or more axially-elongated apertures. Each axially-elongated aperture can include a first fulcrum axially spaced from the cutting edge, and a second fulcrum axially spaced further away from the cutting edge than the first fulcrum. The blade body can also include a third fulcrum defined by a second aperture different from the one or more axially-elongated apertures. The third fulcrum may be spaced closer to the cutting than the first and second fulcrums. A lever, such as a screw driver, can be inserted into the apertures and placed against each of the fulcrums to lever slugs out of the interior of the blade body. The third fulcrum may alternatively be defined by another axially-elongated aperture that is located a different distance from the cutting edge than the axially-elongated aperture containing the first and second fulcrums.

Abstract: A handle for a utility knife includes a housing made up of two or more portions. In one embodiment, a manually operable member for use in releasing the blade is retained to at least one portion of the housing and does not become separated from the housing when the housing is in an open state. In another embodiment, a catch for engaging the blade extends from a support member that is slidably movable within the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is formed of metal and a nose portion is formed of a metal that is more wear resistant than the rest of the housing, in order to improve the durability of the nose portion.

Abstract: There is provided a reciprocating saw blade having a tapered tang stem. The tang has a tang portion with at least three outer edges and a stem portion with at least three outer edges. The profiles of the tang portion and particularly the stem portion are such that they facilitate the effective and efficient engagement of the saw blade with any of numerous different keyed or keyless chucks of reciprocating saws. The tang/stem profile also advantageously provides for increased strength for resisting failure and/or fatigue stemming from a cutting force applied to the saw blade during use.

Abstract: A utility knife has a blade carrier defining a blade support surface movably mounted in a housing between retracted and extended positions. A catch is mounted on the blade carrier and is movable between a first position engagable with a blade seated on the blade carrier and substantially preventing the blade from moving relative to the blade carrier, and a second position spaced away from the blade located on the blade carrier and permitting removal of the blade from the blade carrier. An actuator is mounted on the blade carrier and is operable to move the blade carrier between the retracted and extended positions to, in turn, move a blade located on the blade carrier between retracted and extended positions, and move the catch between the first and second positions to release a blade from the blade carrier. The housing has a nose portion that defines the blade aperture and is made of a more wear-resistant material than the other portions of the housing.

Abstract: An arbor is provided for a hole cutter having an outer surface defining a threaded hole, and a pair of pin holes spaced radially relative to the threaded hole. The arbor has an arbor body defining a threaded end portion threadedly engageable with the threaded hole of the hole cutter, a stop surface formed adjacent to the threaded end portion and spaced radially outwardly therefrom; a drive shank located on another end portion of the arbor body; and a pair of first bearing surfaces located on opposite sides of the arbor body relative to each other and extending axially along a portion of the arbor body between the stop surface and drive shank.

Abstract: A sheet metal hole cutter has a cap plate defining a substantially circular peripheral groove and an annular shelf extending radially outwardly from the peripheral groove. An elongated band forming an approximately circular shape with opposite ends of the band contacting each other defines a base edge received within the circular peripheral groove in an abutting relationship with an inner edge of the groove. The band defines an axial depth of about ½ of an inch or less, and an outer diameter within the range of about {fraction (9/16)} of an inch through about 6 inches. A weld region fixedly secures the base edge of the band to the cap plate. The annular shelf of the cap plate extends radially outwardly from the base edge of the band and defines a radial depth of at least approximately {fraction (1/16)} of an inch in order to prevent over-feeding of the hole cutter through a work piece.