Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences movably attached to a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade. A fixed clamping arrangement is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimizes the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces.

Abstract: A guard assembly for a saw or other cutting device includes fixed and movable guards relatively pivotal by way of a linkage assembly having two links pivotally interconnected coaxially with a cam roller engageable with a cam surface for controlling relative guard movement. Other preferred features include a torsional coil guard return spring and spring enclosure that minimizes interference with workpiece cutting depth, an arbor shaft cover retention fastener that doubles, along with another caliper member, as a blade caliper set that prevents guard damage in the event of a bent or deflected blade or cutter, a drive assembly hold-down assembly for storage, and a horizontally-extending handle centered horizontally relative to the blade or cutter.

Abstract: A universal motor comprises an armature 13, brushes 15, 17 and stator or run windings 19, 21. To provide a permanent magnet actuated dynamic brake circuit 22, permanent magnets 23, 25 are located, respectively, in opposed stator poles 27, 29. In the run mode, power is supplied to stator windings 19, 21 from a rectified ac power supply 33, 35. In the brake mode, brake circuit 22 is actuated by short circuiting armature 13. Due to back EMF, the current flows through armature 13 in a direction opposite to that produced by the rectified ac input in the run mode to provide dynamic braking. To precisely and durably mount magnets 23, 25 in stator poles 25, 27; straps 69, 71 extend around and completely entrap magnets 23, 25 in slots 65, 67.

Abstract: A portable circular saw includes motor-and-gear case pivotally supported on a guide shoe by a rear pivot mechanism for rotation about a transverse rear pivot axis, thus allowing for selective adjustment of the blade cutting depth on the opposite side of the shoe. In such an arrangement, the depth of cut setting is increased and decreased when the motor-and-gear case is rotated relative to the shoe in respective first and second directions, while an upper pivotal blade guard, which is mounted on the motor-and-gear case for rotation about the spindle, rotates in opposite rotational directions in response to respective increases and decreases in the depth of cut setting. Cam and cam follower mechanisms are provided for maintaining the riving knife and the blade and shoe in the same relative angular orientation in a fore-and-aft cutting plane regardless of the depth of cut setting.

Abstract: A circular saw comprises a motor housing 13 and a shoe 15 attached to housing 13. An upper guard 17 fixed to housing 13 shields an upper portion of blade 25. A lower guard is pivotally mounted relative to the blade axis of rotation 27. The lower guard has an extended position (FIG. 1 ) for covering a lower portion of blade and retracted position (FIG. 2 ) for exposing the lower blade portion for cutting. A chip deflector 67 is formed on the radial extremity of the trailing edge 55 of lower guard 19 to prevent the build up of sawdust chips on trailing edge 55 by guiding the chips inwardly toward blade axis 27 and into the path of blade 25.

Abstract: A tool bit such as a screw driving bit for use with a rotary power tool is conventiently stored in a cavity in the rotary power tool housing when not in use in a power tool chuck. The tool bit is retained in the recess by frictional engagement with a retainer spring. A push-button protruding from the rotary tool housing communicates with the bit holding cavity and retainer spring in a manner such that, upon depression of the push-button, the retainer spring is moved out of frictional engagement with the bit to enable its release from the storage cavity.