Abstract: A handheld cutting tool includes a motor, a driven gear coupled to the motor for receiving torque therefrom and a sprocket coupled for co-rotation with the driven gear, a handle guard extending from handle portion, a chain supported on a guide bar and engaged with the sprocket such that rotation of the sprocket moves the chain along the guide bar, and a battery pack removably coupled to an end of the handle portion. The handle guard includes a support face configured to support the handheld cutting tool on a horizontal support surface, and the battery pack includes a foot portion. A center of gravity of the handheld cutting tool is located above the foot portion and permits balancing of the handheld cutting tool in an upright position on only the foot portion.

Abstract: A plunge cutting device for use with a portable drill, drill press, or other rotary drive source which is capable of cutting irregularly shaped openings or workpieces in a single operation. A drive chain, belt, or other means carries a plurality of cutting teeth along a path defined by a series of chain guides. A lower plate, adjacent the surface being cut serves as a finer resolution guide for the cutting teeth to define their cutting path. The configuration and orientation of the cutting teeth causes them to push inward against the edge of the plate so that they follow its shape closely. A preferred shield encloses the teeth, chain, and drive mechanism for safety and to serve as a vacuum shroud for dust collection. The shield may also act as a guide, holding the teeth in position prior to the start of the cutting operation.

Abstract: A plate-joinery system includes a chain-saw plate joiner where the cutting mechanism includes a cutting-chain driven about a saw-bar. The cutting mechanism of the chain-saw plate joiner may be advanced on rails to one of a set of predetermined depths. The increased recess depth allowed by the chain-saw and the resultant increase in both glueable surface area and mechanical engagement permit high-strength right-angle joints to be made with the speed of conventional plate-joinery. Plate-joints of more conventional proportion may also be made. The plate joinery system also includes specialty plate configurations and compatible fasteners that permit many joints to be rapidly assembled without resort to either manual glue application or external clamps. A series of high-precision, low-friction cutting devices suitable for general introduction is also described.

Abstract: The traditional method of carving out an electrical outlet box opening in a log wall consists of chiselling after a series of closely spaced holes are drilled in the log. It is a time consuming and difficult undertaking. An apparatus for quickly and easily cutting a rectangular opening in a log wall is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a saw jig, having a central opening, for mounting on an upright side of the log wall; a cutting drum having teeth around its periphery; drive means to revolve the cutting drum; and, a guide arm attached to the jig to guide the revolving drum into the central opening. Most preferably the drive means is a chain saw. A method of cutting a rectangular opening in a log wall comprises the following steps: mounting a jig having a central opening and a guide arm, on an upright side of the wall; and, guiding a revolving drum having teeth on its periphery through the central opening into the wall using the guide arm on the jig.

Abstract: A simplified mortising adapter for converting a conventional radial arm saw, or other power tool having an arbor, into a mortising tool. The adapter includes a base plate and a drive spindle rotatably mounted to the base plate for connecting to the radial arm saw or other power tool's arbor and driving a chain saw adjustably attached to the base plate. The drive spindle has a socket having a characteristic shape which is generally complementary to the shape of the arbor so that those components can be drivingly engaged. The adapter also includes a clamp mechanism for clamping the base plate to the power tool in a manner such that the base plate can be adjusted to concentrically align the drive spindle with the arbor when the base plate is clamped to the power tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for holding a workpiece which, according to one aspect of the invention, has a pair of clamping members configured to securely hold a workpiece in which a mortise is to be formed. The clamps are mounted on a frame which has generally parallel longitudinal members that allow the workpiece to be operated on from opposite sides without repositioning the workpiece. The frame and clamping members are particularly configured for receiving and holding workpieces having a rounded cross-section.

Abstract: A chain saw is provided with a saw chain cassette and a releasable clamping cover for holding the cassette against the side of the chain saw frame. The clamping cover, together with the cassette and the chain saw frame, have aligning surfaces extending in a direction longitudinal of the cassette saw bar for preventing relative rotation between the saw bar and the frame. A tightening mechanism for the cassette is used for urging the saw bar forwardly with respect to its drive sprocket and a further mechanism is provided within the cassette comprising a spring biased shoe for urging the cassette sprocket in a direction for tightening the chain when the cassette is removed from the chain saw frame. A camming device on the frame engages the shoe when the cassette is installed on the frame for holding the shoe away from the sprocket such that the latter can be driven by the chain saw motor drive shaft.

Abstract: The specification discloses a motor housing, with a handle of the circular saw type, and a cantilever saw bar carrying a saw chain is secured to the housing in a position extending downwardly from a guide foot of the housing. A retractable guard bar normally is held in a position holding a guard loop around the nose end of the saw bar, the guard bar being positioned at the rear of the saw bar. The guard bar is mounted slidably on the motor housing, and, when a latch is manually released, the guard loop may be pushed up along the saw during a boring (nose cutting) operation. In an alternate embodiment, a foot attachable to a foot of a circular saw motor carries a saw bar and a guard bar with a guard loop surrounding the nose end of the saw bar.

Abstract: A guide apparatus is provided for guiding movement of a chain saw in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar of the saw through a member in which it is desired to cut an opening with the chain saw. The guide apparatus includes a guide member disposed contiguous to the member to be cut. The guide member has a guide surface thereon which is disposed parallel to the axis of an opening to be cut in the member and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain saw. A guide means is provided for engaging the guide surface and guiding relative movement between the guide surface and the guide means in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar of the saw.