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 machine tool for machining workpieces, wherein the machine tool includes a machine base for setting down on a ground surface. The machine tool further includes a drive assembly arranged on the machine base with a drive motor and a tool receptacle drivable by the drive motor. machine base has a support surface for supporting the workpiece and includes at least one side contact body with a side contact surface. The side contact body is at an angle to the support surface, and extends along a longitudinal axis. The machine tool further includes at least one abutment body with an abutment surface, which can be fixed opposite the support surface by means of a holding device on the machine tool, so that the workpiece, is supported adjacent to the side contact surface sandwiched between the support surface and the abutment surface.

A miter saw has a base having a detent notch, a table rotatably connectable to the base, a pivoting assembly connected to the table, and a saw assembly supported by the pivoting assembly. The saw assembly has a blade movable downwardly for a cutting operation. A locking mechanism is disposed on the table. The locking mechanism is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position for selectively unlocking and locking the table for rotational movement relative to the base about the miter axis. The locking mechanism has a lock lever rotatably connected to the table. The lock lever has a handle for moving locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. The saw also has a miter detent assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent notch.

A machine tool for machining workpieces has a machine base for setting down on a ground surface. The machine tool further has a drive assembly arranged on the machine base with a drive motor and a tool receptacle drivable by the drive motor. The machine base has a support surface for supporting the workpiece and has at least one side contact body with a side contact surface. The side contact body is at an angle to the support surface and extends along a longitudinal axis. The machine tool further has at least one abutment body with an abutment surface, which is configured to be fixed opposite the support surface by a holding device on the machine tool, so that the workpiece is supported adjacent to the side contact surface sandwiched between the support surface and the abutment surface.

A miter saw has a base having a detent notch, a table rotatably connectable to the base, a pivoting assembly connected to the table, and a saw assembly supported by the pivoting assembly. The saw assembly has a blade movable downwardly for a cutting operation. A locking mechanism is disposed on the table. The locking mechanism is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position for selectively unlocking and locking the table for rotational movement relative to the base about the miter axis. The locking mechanism has a lock lever rotatably connected to the table. The lock lever has a handle for moving locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. The saw also has a miter detent assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent notch.