A method of mounting a capacitive coupling plate to a power tool assembly including a drop arm assembly, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly, and a control system configured to control the actuating device includes connecting a capacitive coupling plate bracket formed from a non-conductive material to a drop arm frame of the drop arm assembly, and mounting the capacitive coupling plate to the capacitive coupling plate bracket.

A method of mounting a capacitive coupling plate to a power tool assembly including a drop arm assembly, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly, and a control system configured to control the actuating device includes connecting a capacitive coupling plate bracket formed from a non-conductive material to a drop arm frame of the drop arm assembly, and mounting the capacitive coupling plate to the capacitive coupling plate bracket.

A power tool assembly includes a drop arm assembly rotatably supporting an arbor shaft and movable between a first drop arm position and a second drop arm position, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly when the drop arm assembly is at the first drop arm assembly position, a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer the force to the drop arm assembly when an unsafe condition is sensed, a motor operably connected to the arbor shaft through a gear, and a gear housing which houses the gear, the gear housing formed from a non-conductive material.

A power tool assembly includes a drop arm assembly rotatably supporting an arbor shaft and movable between a first drop arm position and a second drop arm position, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly when the drop arm assembly is at the first drop arm assembly position, a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer the force to the drop arm assembly when an unsafe condition is sensed, a motor operably connected to the arbor shaft through a gear, and a gear housing which houses the gear, the gear housing formed from a non-conductive material.

A miter saw fixture including a base with at least two fixed angled guide rails secured to a top of the base, at least two track guides positioned on a bottom of the base, wherein the at least two track guides are adjustably secured to the base within a plurality of track openings, a blade track in the base, a front fence, and a back fence. A method of cutting an object using a miter saw fixture, including positioning the miter saw fixture on a miter saw using at least one guide track on the miter saw fixture, placing an object to be cut against at least one guide rail located a base of the miter saw fixture, sliding the miter saw fixture forward on the miter saw, cutting the object while the object is positioned in the miter saw fixture, and stopping the miter saw fixture.

A miter saw fixture including a base with at least two fixed angled guide rails secured to a top of the base, at least two track guides positioned on a bottom of the base, wherein the at least two track guides are adjustably secured to the base within a plurality of track openings, a blade track in the base, a front fence, and a back fence. A method of cutting an object using a miter saw fixture, including positioning the miter saw fixture on a miter saw using at least one guide track on the miter saw fixture, placing an object to be cut against at least one guide rail located a base of the miter saw fixture, sliding the miter saw fixture forward on the miter saw, cutting the object while the object is positioned in the miter saw fixture, and stopping the miter saw fixture.

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 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.

A method of resetting a drop arm assembly in a power tool assembly from a first drop arm assembly position whereat a portion of a shaping device mounted on the drop arm assembly does not extend above a workpiece support surface, includes removing a throat plate from a throat plate opening, moving at least a portion of a blade wrench downwardly through the throat plate opening, operably coupling the blade wrench with an arbor shaft of a drop arm assembly, releasing a first latch from engagement with a drop arm frame of the drop arm assembly after removing the throat plate, pulling the coupled blade wrench in an upwardly direction to a second drop arm assembly position whereat the portion of the shaping device extends above a workpiece support surface, and latching the drop arm assembly at the second drop arm assembly position with a second latch.

A method of resetting a drop arm assembly in a power tool assembly from a first drop arm assembly position whereat a portion of a shaping device mounted on the drop arm assembly does not extend above a workpiece support surface, includes removing a throat plate from a throat plate opening, moving at least a portion of a blade wrench downwardly through the throat plate opening, operably coupling the blade wrench with an arbor shaft of a drop arm assembly, releasing a first latch from engagement with a drop arm frame of the drop arm assembly after removing the throat plate, pulling the coupled blade wrench in an upwardly direction to a second drop arm assembly position whereat the portion of the shaping device extends above a workpiece support surface, and latching the drop arm assembly at the second drop arm assembly position with a second latch.