Apparatus (101) for supporting a workpiece (201), comprising a frame structure (102) for holding a workpiece (201), a base element (103) for supporting the frame structure (102), and a tool support element (110) for holding a tool. The frame structure (102) comprises lower and upper frame elements (107, 108) between which a workpiece (201) is receivable, and the upper frame element (108) is movable with respect to the lower frame element (107) in a Z-axis direction (106), for clamping a workpiece (102) therebetween. The tool support element (110) is movable with respect to the upper frame element (108) in an X-axis direction (104). The frame structure (102) is movable with respect to the base element (103), and with respect to a workpiece held between the lower and upper frame elements (107, 108), in a Y-axis direction (105). A CNC machine comprising the apparatus (101).

A routing jig for enabling location of router guides prior to routing a feature into a workpiece includes a transparent or semi-transparent base component having longitudinal sides, a lower surface and an upper surface. The routing jig also includes retaining structure such as side bars and screws. The base component and the retaining structure together define a nominal width of the routing jig in a transverse direction. A plurality of shims are selectively and removably securable to the longitudinal sides of the base component by the retaining structure, thereby to increase the nominal width of the routing jig.

In one aspect, a pipe machining system is provided and includes a positioning apparatus, a pipe machining apparatus, and an adjustment member coupled to the positioning apparatus and a pipe machining apparatus. The adjustment member is configured to move the pipe machining apparatus relative to the positioning apparatus. In one aspect, the pipe machining system also includes a position tracking apparatus configured to identify a position of the pipe machining apparatus relative to a pipe on which the system is mounted.

A system and method for constructing a composite structure using a multi-piece tool. The pieces are assembled, including making a connection, such as a mortise-and-tenon connection, between pieces using an adhesive mixed with an induction heatable material, such as iron filings having a unit size of between 5 microns and 600 microns, and an amount of between 5% and 50% by volume. Plies of a material are applied around the connection between the pieces, and the plies are cured to create the composite structure, which results in the pieces being trapped within the composite structure by the connection. The adhesive is exposed to electromagnetic induction from an electromagnetic induction coil which generates heat in the induction heatable material and thereby loosens the connection. The tool can then be disassembled by individually pulling at least some of the pieces from within the composite structure.

A system and method for constructing a composite structure using a multi-piece tool. The pieces are assembled, including making a connection, such as a mortise-and-tenon connection, between pieces using an adhesive mixed with an induction heatable material, such as iron filings having a unit size of between 5 microns and 600 microns, and an amount of between 5% and 50% by volume. Plies of a material are applied around the connection between the pieces, and the plies are cured to create the composite structure, which results in the pieces being trapped within the composite structure by the connection. The adhesive is exposed to electromagnetic induction from an electromagnetic induction coil which generates heat in the induction heatable material and thereby loosens the connection. The tool can then be disassembled by individually pulling at least some of the pieces from within the composite structure.

A sled for guiding a common hand router to cut a precision planar surface on a workpiece has plywood frame rails spaced by cradles supporting the workpiece between the frame rails. Base rails riding on the upper edge surfaces of the plywood frame rails are sequentially incrementally advanced at intervals along the frame rails in an X-axis direction by a linear ratchet assembly. A router is reciprocated in Y-axis directions during the intervals between the sequential incremental advances of the base rails, cutting a precision planar surface on the workpiece. The router is adapted to adjust the Z-axis elevation of the router cutter. The sled may be manually operated or automated.

A coping cut machine can include a workpiece platform having a support surface for receiving a workpiece support surface. The coping cut machine can have first and second rotary cutting devices, each supporting at least one knife, and at least one workpiece alignment member supported by the workpiece platform for aligning a workpiece supported by the workpiece platform relative to at least one of the first and second rotary cutting devices. In response to sliding the workpiece along the at least one workpiece alignment member and during rotation of at least one of the first and second rotary cutting devices, the at least one knife operates to perform a coping cut on an end of the workpiece. The first and second rotary cutting devices can optionally be rotated in opposite directions to cut either end of a workpiece. At least one of the first and second rotary cutting devices can comprise a modular rotary cutting assembly having a keyed profile portion received in a keyed profile aperture of a drive wheel, and that is removable from the coping cut machine.

A drill guide for a drill bit of a chucked hand-held drill is disclosed. The drill guide includes a mount, a coupler, a telescoping guard, and a guide foot. The mount is configured to couple to a non-rotating portion of the chucked hand-held drill. The coupler extends from the mount and forms a chuck access window aligned with the chuck when the mount is coupled to the non-rotating portion of the chucked hand-held drill thereby allowing a chuck key to interface with the chuck. The telescoping guard extends from the coupler and is configured to telescope into a retracted position from an extended position. The guide foot is coupled to the telescoping guard such that the drill guide enshrouds the drill bit when the telescoping guard is in the extended position, and the drill bit passes through the guide foot when the telescoping guard is in the retracted position.

Provided is a tool system for including a machine tool configured for machining by the removal of material an object defining a machining surface.

Provided is a tool system for including a machine tool configured for machining by the removal of material an object defining a machining surface.