A push stick for a table saw and a table saw with the push stick are provided. The push stick includes a gripping possibility for a machine operator at its operator-side end. A workpiece engagement notch is formed at the push stick's workpiece-side end. The notch includes a push surface facing in an intended feed direction of the workpiece and a holding-down surface protruding therefrom at the top under a preferably right angle. The push stick includes a detection device which detects whether the push surface and the holding-down surface lie flat against the workpiece. The push stick further includes a signaling device which emits a flat contact signal when the detection device has detected a flat contact of the push surface and the holding-down surface on the workpiece. The signal therefore signals whether the push surface and the holding-down surface lie flat against the workpiece.

Table saws with safety systems are disclosed. The safety systems detect and react to dangerous conditions, such as contact between the blade and a person. The table saws may include a switch, a first light that illuminates to indicate the safety system is operable, and a second light that illuminates to indicate that the safety system is inoperable. The switch may not power the saw when switched on if the second light is illuminated.

Throat plates for table saws and table saws are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws have at least one securement mechanism to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate has an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

A cutting machine can include a cutting machine body that is movably supported above a table and capable of vertical movement, the cutting machine body can be positioned at an upward waiting position and a lower end position. The cutting machine body can include an auxiliary cover positioned around a portion of a blade and including a projection. When in the upward waiting position the auxiliary cover is not able to move upward because of the position of the projection, and in the lower end position the auxiliary cover is able to move upward.

A table saw guard assembly for guarding a blade on a table saw is provided. The table saw guard assembly includes a support structure and a hood assembly including at least one of a front curtain, first side curtain, second side curtain and top curtain, wherein each of said curtains are independently moveable and/or removable from the hood assembly. Furthermore, a table saw guard assembly is provided including a quick release mechanism for connecting the hood assembly to the support structure.

Throat plates for table saws and table saws including the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws include at least one securement mechanism adapted to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate includes an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and a lower blade guard covering a lower portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a linkage for raising the lower blade guard to expose the lower portion of the saw blade as the saw unit is lowered toward the base assembly. The linkage is operable to apply a force to the lower blade guard for holding the lower blade guard in a raised position, without any input from the operator of the miter saw and without changing the length of the linkage, to facilitate changing the saw blade.

A table saw guard assembly for guarding a blade on a table saw is provided. The table saw guard assembly includes a support structure and a hood assembly including at least one of a front curtain, first side curtain, second side curtain and top curtain, wherein each of said curtains are independently moveable and/or removable from the hood assembly. Furthermore, a table saw guard assembly is provided including a quick release mechanism for connecting the hood assembly to the support structure.

A retractable safety cover for a slitting blade edge. This cover pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade edge. The cover is spring loaded in the open direction and is held in the covered orientation by a spring loaded moveable block. By retracting the moveable block the blade edge is exposed for use.