A method is for making a crown molding jig device. The method includes forming first and second V-shaped frames. Each of the first and second V-shaped frames has a vertex portion, and first and second legs extending from the vertex portion. The vertex portions of the first and second V-shaped frames are in a nested arrangement, and the second legs of the first and second V-shaped frames are parallel. The first legs of the first and second V-shaped frames are in a stacked arrangement, and the second legs of the first and second V-shaped frames define a recess. The first leg of the second V-shaped frame defines first and second slots. The method includes coupling first and second adjustable studs to be carried by the first leg of the first V-shaped frame, slidably receiving the coupled first and second adjustable studs into the first and second slots, respectively, so that the recess is adjustable in size, and fastening first and second fastening nuts respectively on the first and second adjustable studs.

A method for releaseably engaging a workpiece with the stop portion. The method comprises steps of: providing a first portion of a stop assembly; providing a stop portion of the stop assembly; providing a fine adjustment assembly of the stop assembly, wherein the fine adjustment assembly comprises at least: a set screw operably engaged with the first portion and the stop portion, an adjustment wheel operably engaged with the set screw and completely housed inside of a second portion of the stop assembly that is pivotable engaged with the stop portion; engaging the first portion inside of a track of a tool; and pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, to an engaged position such that the stop portion moves in a rotational direction toward the first portion of the stop assembly.

A miter saw includes a base having a peripheral wall, a table rotatably supported upon the base, and a miter angle lock. The miter angle lock includes a pin having a first end adjacent the peripheral wall and an opposite second end. The miter angle lock also includes a cam member engageable with the second end of the pin and movable between a locked position in which the first end of the pin is brought into frictional contact with the peripheral wall for locking the table relative to the base, and an unlocked position in which the first end of the pin is spaced from the peripheral wall of the base.

Table saws are disclosed. The table saws can include a blade, an arbor, an arbor block, an elevation carriage, and a latch that connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can have a first position in which the latch connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage, and a second position in which the latch does not connect the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can pivot from the first position to the second position upon the occurrence of a retraction force. The table saw can include an actuator to cause the occurrence of the retraction force, and detection electronics to detect contact between the blade and a person. Woodworking machines with detection and reaction systems are also disclosed. A reaction system can include an explosive that causes retraction of a cutting tool.

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.

A crown molding jig device may include first and second frames. Each of the first and second frames may have a vertex portion, and first and second legs extending from the vertex portion. The second legs of the first and second frames may define a recess between. The first leg of the second frame may define first and second slots. The crown molding jig device may include first and second adjustable studs carried by the first leg of the first frame, and being slidably received by the first and second slots so that the recess is adjustable in size.

A ribbon cutter comprises a base and a turntable rotationally mounted on the base for movement between a plurality of rotational angles relative to a feed direction of the ribbon. A cutting arm pivotally connected to the turntable moves between an open position and a cutting position for cutting the ribbon at a selected angle determined by a rotational position of the turntable. A ribbon guide is provided for feeding a ribbon over the turntable, comprising an opening for manually drawing the ribbon through the ribbon guide to the turntable.

An apparatus for performing repeatable, accurate compound miter cuts takes the form of a gauge and associated plate that are attached to a conventional miter saw. The gauge includes a pair of hinged flaps that are adjustable so that the user can move the two flaps to correspond to the measured lean angle and the measured miter angle, creating the proper three-dimensional orientation for the compound miter cut. A separate plate member is attached to the saw itself (in a plane parallel to the saw blade), and is used as a guide to align the blade to the gauge. An associated set of pivot stops (for both the arm and the table) are used in conjunction with the gauge and the plate to form all possible combinations of inside and outside angles in a repeatable manner without needing to perform any calculations of the angles.

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 miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and an upper blade guard covering an upper portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a cut line indicator coupled to the upper blade guard. The cut line indicator includes a light source, a cover positioned between the saw blade and the light source, a housing in which the light source is positioned, a rib coupled to one of the cover or the housing, and a first slot defined in the other of the cover or the housing. The cover includes a second slot through which light from the light source passes to illuminate opposite sides of the saw blade and a work piece supported upon the base assembly, thereby casting a shadow of the saw blade onto the work piece. The rib is receivable within the first slot to align the second slot with the saw blade.