Abstract: A centering apparatus intended for use with a woodworking device having a cutting tool and fence for positioning the center of a work-piece in exact alignment with the center of the cutting tool. The centering apparatus comprising an elongate member having a first end, a second end, parallel longitudinal sides and a center hole located at the center of the elongate member. A swiveling right angle bracket for engaging one of two opposing parallel surfaces of a work-piece is connected to the first end. Connected to the second end is a contact member for contacting a guiding fence. A cylindrical dowel pin for pivoting the centering apparatus about the center hole of the elongate member is aligned with the geometric center of the cutting tool with one end of the cylindrical dowel pin extending through the center hole of the elongate member and the other end positioned within the chuck of the cutting tool.

Abstract: Miter slot bar construction comprising a pair of elongated body members arranged in parallel interengaged position with resilient parts to cause the members to engage the sides of a miter slot uniformly for guiding action.

Abstract: This invention relates to rotating saw alignment devices and methods and more particularly to devices and methods which facilitate the proper alignment of radial arm saws, and more specifically to a very simple device (10), used in conjunction with a carpenter's square and a writing instrument, with a flange (50) containing an extended section (60) used as a writing instrument guide, which in use can align the fore and aft edges of the saw blade, and a plurality of auxiliary flanges (30),(40), used to align the saw blade perpendicular to the table. The alignment device can also be used to aid in replacement and alignment of the saw table and check the trueness of the saw blade retainers and motor arbor.

Abstract: In a table saw having a rip fence and a miter slot, a new precision rip fence alignment gauge for quickly positioning the rip fence a precise distance from the saw blade for accurately cutting a workpiece. The precision rip fence alignment gauge comprises first and second symmetrical laterally separable gauge half assemblies. Each gauge half assembly comprises an elongated flat rod with an elongated miter slot engagable locator bar slidably connected transversely thereto such that the elongated flat rod is longitudinally displaceable relative the locator bar. The elongated flat rod is constrained to an accurate 90.degree. angle relative the locator bar with an alignment plate fixedly connected to the locator bar and slidably contacting an edge of the rod. A threaded stud projects upwardly from near an end of the locator bar and extends through a longitudinal slot through the elongated flat rod for slidably holding the edge of the rod in contact with the alignment plate.

Abstract: A tool for lap siding installation includes a current board slot, a reference board slot and a lower surface, all three of which are disposed at an angle .alpha. from a reference surface at the top of the tool. The angle .alpha. corresponds to the angle between properly installed siding boards and the wall upon which they are installed. The current board slot has dimensions conforming to the dimensions of the siding being installed. The reference board slot is shorter than the current board slot by the amount of overlap that is desired between adjacent boards after the siding is installed. Optionally, a second set of these features with alternative dimensions can be disposed on the back of the tool making it suitable for use in installing a second type of siding when its orientation is reversed. To use the tool, a current board to be installed is lifted until it is close to its desired position and then fitted within the current board slot of the tool.

Abstract: A tool setter is used to locate the cutting edges of a cutting machine tool with respect to the rotational axis of a lathe's workpiece holder. One or more machine tool detecting probes are mounted on the tool setter having their styluses in predetermined registration with the rotational axis of the workpiece holder. The machine tool is moved into contact with the styluses so that the location of the cutting edges of the machine tool relative to the rotational axis may be calculated. Once the precise location of the machine tool is known, the path the machine tool is required to traverse may be accurately calculated for machining the workpiece. The tool setter is removed from the workpiece holder prior to securing a workpiece to prevent contamination from spewn cutting chips and cutting oil during the machining process.

Abstract: A set-up tool is provided for use with a working tool, such as a power saw, that works near a surface (18) having a miter slot. The set-up tool includes a dial indicator (6) and mounting members (2, 4) which mount the dial indicator in a measuring position above the surface. One of the mounting members (4) fits into the miter slot on the surface. The dial indicator is moveable with respect to the mounting member (4) that fits into the miter slot. A locking screw (3) is provided for selectively locking the dial indicator in a desired location relative to the mounting member (4).

Abstract: An adjustable angle instrument for high precision craftsmanship is configured from a pair of similar metal sector parts, each having a sector shape with a wide double flange along a straight edge. The two sector parts are accurately pivoted together in an apex region. Each flange is made to have accurate surfaces on its outer surfaces on which the instrument may be stood in a vertical position or laid horizontally on a flat surface such as a saw table. The flanges may be set to any angle between 45 and 90 degrees as indicated by a calibratable hairline cursor, and the angle may be captured by locking the two sector parts together by tightening a knurled brass knob. One of the sector parts is also provided with an edge which is accurately machined at 90 degrees relative to the flange and thus may be set to any angle between 0 to 45 degrees relative to the other flange, providing the instrument with a total range of 0 to 90 degrees.

Abstract: A measuring device having a vertical column and a horizontal foot extending therefrom, the column having an indicator block adjustably slidable thereon, an indicator plate on the block for engaging a tool to operate on a workpiece, and indicia on the column related to the plate to establish the position of the tool with relation to different surfaces of the plate, and scribing portions on the plate to mark a workpiece when the column is moved with relation to such workpiece.

Abstract: A table saw gauge includes a body positionable on the table top of a table saw and having a first scale for determining the saw blade height, a second scale for determining the saw blade angle, and a third scale for determining the distance from the saw blade to an adjacent fence. A blade is pivotally supported on the body and includes a first armature for engaging the uppermost tooth of the saw blade to determine saw blade height and second armature engageable with the side of the saw blade to determine saw blade angle. Pointers mounted on the body will aid cooperation with the first and second scales mounted on the body to indicate the height of the saw blade and the angle of the saw blade, respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable miter gage apparatus and method for making precision miter cut angles with conventional radial arm saws, table saws, band saws, router tables, and other woodworking machines. The miter gage apparatus utilizes a flat base or table top with a large radius arc thereon and adjustable gages located on the circumference of the arc. The apparatus acts as a large protractor and allows the cutting angle to be accurately adjusted relative to the actual angle at which the saw blade is initially positioned by the woodworking machine. The adjustable gages have set screws threadedly mounted therein for making fine adjustments and may be permanently or removably installed on the base or table top. The set screw threads and radius of the arc are related such that turning the set screw will increase or decrease the angle to within a fraction of a degree. A preliminary angle setting is made using the existing miter scale on the woodworking machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for ensuring parallel measuring, alignment and minimum spacing of two objects, particularly for setting a rip fence in connection with a table saw or drill press, having a first rectangular end plate provided with at least two rods perpendicularly extending from one side thereof, a second plate moveably mouted on the rods, parallel to the first end plate and capable of meeting flush therewith, the second plate is capable of being secured in position to the rods. At least one measuring scale is provided on the rods. The first plate has ribs located thereon for preventing the first plate from slipping into a miter slot, and the second plate has slots for receiving the ribs of the first plate.

Abstract: Machine for automatically regulating and measuring the length of extension and the diameter of a tool. The present invention relates to a machine for automatically regulating and measuring the length of extension and the diameter of a tool 2 mounted in a conical mandrel 3 cooperating with receiving cone 7 of machine, the mandrel 3 comprising means 9 for tightening and means 17 for adjusting said tool.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to rotating saw blade alignment devices, and more particularly to such devices which facilitate the proper alignment of radial arm saws by eliminating the need for a gauge or measuring instrument in the alignment procedure, through the use of perpendicular and parallel components which, when attached to the radial arm saw, require a perpendicualr relationship between the saw blade, the saw table, and the rip fence or fence slot.

Abstract: A multi-sided gauge and layout tool which includes the five angles needed in order to adjust or set-up woodworking and other machinery to fabricate multi-sided or multi-segmented structures having four, five, six, eight or twelve sides. A large knob with a flat bottom and a slot having a sloping bottom may be removably mounted in the middle of the gauge to facilitate grasping and manipulating the gauge when it is used flat against a work surface and may be removed and used as a base to hold the gauge body upright within the slot.

Abstract: A milling machine positioning apparatus is set forth wherein a first "X" table is slidable relative to a milling machine in a first direction with a "Y" table slidable relative to the milling machine orthogonally relative to the "X" table, A first scale and second scale are oriented relative to the respective "X" and "Y" tables including a single, continuous scale with spring-biased friction reels securing each terminal end of the scale, wherein each friction reel is mounted at each end of the respective "X" and "Y" tables to enable a sliding positioning of the associated scale realtive to its associated table.

Abstract: A precision adjustable measuring gauge is provided for increasing the accuracy of workpiece layout, power tool setup and workpiece marking jobs. The measuring gauge has mutually engagable positioning racks to positively lock both a reference surface and a measuring surface rigidly and accurately into place. The gauge includes first and second half section body members which are mounted in facing relationship, and first and second racks formed on their facing surfaces. Each of the first and second racks include index teeth which are equally spaced at predetermined intervals. The displacement of one body member relative to the other body member is adjustable in predetermined increments corresponding to the spaced intervals between successive teeth. The first flat end surface of each body member may be used to engage a reference surface of a workpiece or the work positioning surface of a power tool.

Abstract: A position adjusting device for adjusting the position of an adjustable member with respect to a housing to which the adjustable member is mounted. The adjustable member is formed with two conical sockets having axes parallel to each other and spaced from each other in the direction of adjustment of the adjustable member. The housing threadedly receives two pins eccentrically disposed with respect to the sockets, such that threading one pin inwardly of its socket and the other pin outwardly of its socket moves the adjustable member in one direction, and threading the one pin outwardly of its socket and the other pin inwardly of its socket moves the adjustable member in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A straightedge is made of a sawable material, and is fixed relative to a saw guide, and the saw guide is provided with multiple guide surfaces so that guiding the saw along the different guide surfaces of the saw guide will cut the straightedge to form multiple cut location indicators.

Abstract: An improved adjustable protractor including a flat base member in pivoted connection with a pivoting member. The base member is calibrated with degrees indicia. The pivoting member includes an indicia indicator to detect designated degree indicia. Clamp is provided to clamp members together at a selected position.