Abstract: A saw dust collection system is disclosed herein. The saw dust collection system comprises a vacuum source configured to create a vacuum for extracting saw dust and particles from a cutting area surrounding a saw; a saw platform assembly comprising a floor for supporting the saw thereon; a hood member disposed over the saw platform assembly, at least a portion of the hood member being transparent so that a user of the saw is able to see through the hood member, the hood member and the saw platform assembly together defining a saw compartment for containing the saw therein and enclosing the cutting area around the saw so as to prevent the saw dust and particles from entering the environment outside of the saw dust collection system; and a pair of workpiece insert slots configured to allow a workpiece to extend through opposite sides of the saw dust collection system.

Abstract: A variable depth router and base assembly can include a ring-type, depth-adjustment mechanism. The base assembly can be a two-piece base wherein one piece is disposed inside the other. One of the pieces can include an annular lip or recess that can cooperate with levers on the adjustment ring to secure the router to the base assembly. The two-piece base assembly can facilitate the manufacture of the base assembly, can allow the use of different materials for different portions of the base assembly, and can provide a more economical base assembly. The use of differing materials can facilitate the using of more wear-resistant materials where needed while avoiding the costs of such materials in locations where it is not needed. The two-piece base assembly may allow various features to be economically incorporated into one of the pieces, thereby facilitating the manufacturing and assembly of the base assembly.

Abstract: A system positions a workpiece with respect to a router bit. The system may include a router for routing out a part of the workpiece, a router table for supporting the workpiece, a router fence arranged and constructed to position the workpiece relative to the router during machining, and a positioning device arranged and constructed to position the router fence relative to the router before machining the workpiece, wherein the router comprises a router collet positioned beneath the router table, the router collet being constructed and arranged to engage a router bit extending through an opening in the router table for machining the piece.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use with a power saw or router in cutting workpieces to form a lap joint or a routed groove, involves at least one channel-forming member forming an elongated channel having an open side to receive at least one workpiece and having a cutter-receiving opening, and one or more guides on the channel-forming member and extending in a direction transverse to the channel so as to guide a saw or router in a manner that a cutter thereof is guided to cut across the workpiece residing in the channel.

Abstract: An adjustable router base suitable for attachment to conventional manual routers. In one configuration, the router base permits easy and accurate adjustment of the router bit relative to a variety of fixed guiding edges (e.g., the edge of a workpiece or a straight edge) or points (e.g., the pivot point of an arcuate cut). In another configuration, the router base permits the router to be used in a conventional manner to cut an edge on a workpiece.

Abstract: A work surface guide for portable hand-operated power tools allows their adaptation to a fixed-bed form (for example, a circular saw may be used as a radial arm saw or sliding miter saw). A pair of parallel rails are spaced laterally outwardly and above a table or other work surface so that the power tool may slide along these rails to cut matter located in a cutting area situated below and beneath the rails (and protruding from the edge of the work surface beneath the rails). A board fence is pivotally attached to one of the rails to extend onto the work surface, thereby allowing the board fence to be adjusted to some desired angle, a board to be situated against the board fence to protrude beneath the rails and into the cutting area, and the power tool to be run along the rails to cut the board.

Abstract: A wood working tool includes a cutting blade, a carrier, which can receive wood, and a guide device associated with the carrier for causing movement past the cutting blade on a predetermined path, so that a timer carried by the carrier can be cut reproducibly to size. The carrier may have a groove which corresponds to the shape to be cut, which is received by the guide device, and on movement of the carrier, the interaction between the groove and the guide device causes the carrier to follow a required path. The tool can be provided with a device for allowing a number of similar articles to be cut from a single piece of material and the cutting of similar pieces can be effected automatically.

Abstract: A router jig apparatus for forming dowel which can be used for stair railings, in particular. The router jig apparatus includes a support table having a tabletop and leg members for supporting the tabletop; and also includes a router assembly including a motor being attached to an underside of the tabletop and also including a router bit being actuated by the motor; and further includes a template assembly including a plate being movably disposed upon a top of the tabletop, and also including a work piece support member being disposed upon the plate for supporting a work piece to be routed by the router bit.

Abstract: A machine for use with a table-mounted router to form a wide variety of woodworking joints by manipulating a workpiece to engage the router cutter in predetermined locations, in some instances by reference to a joint element template, and in other instances by reference to predetermined lateral locations, to form joint elements with predetermined shapes and spacing.

Abstract: A jig facilitates the construction of joints in a working piece, and, more particularly, secures the working piece to be cut and allows it to be passed over a fixed router without sacrificing any of the ease of use or quality associated with prior art jigs and templates. The jig also can be secured to a work surface and used with a hand-held router.