Elevation and blade tilt mechanisms for table saws are disclosed. The elevation and tilt mechanisms may include an indexable position adjustment system configured to adjust the position of the blade relative to the table in discrete increments. Such table saws may also include a trunnion assembly with an elevation carriage slideably mounted to front and rear brackets, the brackets being tiltable with the elevation carriage relative to the table, and the elevation carriage being adapted to maintain the tilt of each bracket relative to the other bracket in a fixed orientation.

A safety system is provided for a power tool having a motor-driven cutting blade, a safety mechanism operable by a controller to stop and/or move the cutting blade and a blade guard. The safety system includes an electrically active surface provided on the blade guard that is configured to change an electrical characteristic in response to contact between the body of an operator and the active surface. An active surface controller is operable to provide electrical power to the electrically active surface, to generate a signal in response to the change in the electrical characteristic, the signal indicative of an unsafe condition, and to transmit the signal to the controller for the safety mechanism.

A safety system is provided for a power tool having a motor-driven cutting blade, a safety mechanism operable by a controller to stop and/or move the cutting blade and a blade guard. The safety system includes an electrically active surface provided on the blade guard that is configured to change an electrical characteristic in response to contact between the body of an operator and the active surface. An active surface controller is operable to provide electrical power to the electrically active surface, to generate a signal in response to the change in the electrical characteristic, the signal indicative of an unsafe condition, and to transmit the signal to the controller for the safety mechanism.

The disclosure relates to a circular saw, in particular a hand-held circular saw, having a housing and a drive unit, at least some sections of which are arranged in the housing and with which a tool holder for an exchangeable saw blade is associated. The drive unit is designed to rotationally drive the exchangeable saw blade about an associated axis of rotation. In the circular saw, a blade guard is associated with the exchangeable saw blade. The blade guard is mounted in the housing for rotation about the associated axis of rotation and extends around a cutting point of the exchangeable saw blade at least during a sawing operation in such a way that contact with the cutting point can be at least substantially prevented.

A table saw including a table, a saw unit, a storage mount bracket, and a blade guard assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and a riving knife. The saw blade is extendable through a slot in the table. The riving knife is positioned behind the saw blade and has a first mating interface. The storage mount bracket has a second mating interface complimentary to the first mating interface. The blade guard assembly is attachable to the first mating interface of the riving knife to cover at least a portion of the saw blade. The blade guard assembly is additionally attachable with the second mating interface to attach the blade guard assembly to the storage mount bracket when the blade guard assembly is removed from the riving knife.

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 riving knife assembly has a holder, a clamping plate, a riving knife body disposed between the holder and the clamping plate, a handle pivotally connected to the clamping plate, and a fastener assembly connecting the holder, the riving knife body, the clamping plate, and the handle. The handle has a curved hole and a stage surrounding the curved hole and having a lower step and an upper step. The fastener assembly includes a connecting rod, a positioning flange, and an elastic pressing element. When the handle is in a locked position, the elastic pressing element is located between the positioning flange and the upper step of the stage to clamp the riving knife body. When the handle is in an unlocked position, the elastic pressing element is located between the positioning flange and the lower step of the stage to release the riving knife body.

A riving knife assembly has a holder, a clamping plate, a riving knife body disposed between the holder and the clamping plate, a handle pivotally connected to the clamping plate, and a fastener assembly connecting the holder, the riving knife body, the clamping plate, and the handle. The handle has a curved hole and a stage surrounding the curved hole and having a lower step and an upper step. The fastener assembly includes a connecting rod, a positioning flange, and an elastic pressing element. When the handle is in a locked position, the elastic pressing element is located between the positioning flange and the upper step of the stage to clamp the riving knife body. When the handle is in an unlocked position, the elastic pressing element is located between the positioning flange and the lower step of the stage to release the riving knife body.

Table saws and table saws designed to implement safety systems that detect contact between a person and a dangerous portion of the saw are disclosed. Table saw components, mounting systems for table saws, and table saw attachments are also disclosed. One embodiment may include a first clamp surface, a second clamp surface spaced apart from the first clamp surface so that a base portion of a riving knife or splitter can be placed between the clamp surfaces with the opposing sides of the base portion generally parallel to the first and second clamp surfaces.