A belt sander includes a main casing, a frame arm rotatably connected to the main casing, an abrasive belt mounted to the frame arm and adapted to be driven by electric power, a positioning member, a first sensor and a second sensor. The positioning member is movably mounted to the main casing and is movable relative to the main casing between a releasing position, where the first and second sensors are in a first sensor state, and where the second sensor generates a first signal for ceasing the electric power, and a first engaging position, where the first and second sensors are in the second sensor state, and where the second sensor generates a second signal for conducting the electric power.

A belt sander includes a main casing, a frame arm rotatably connected to the main casing, an abrasive belt mounted to the frame arm and adapted to be driven by electric power, a positioning member, a first sensor and a second sensor. The positioning member is movably mounted to the main casing and is movable relative to the main casing between a releasing position, where the first and second sensors are in a first sensor state, and where the second sensor generates a first signal for ceasing the electric power, and a first engaging position, where the first and second sensors are in the second sensor state, and where the second sensor generates a second signal for conducting the electric power.

A belt sander includes a frame, a drive roller, an idler roller rotatably attached to a pivot arm, a first linear actuator configured for pivoting the pivot arm, a nose roller and a continuous abrasive belt wrapped around the drive roller, the idler roller and the nose roller. A drive motor rotates the drive roller, and an air cylinder attached to the frame and a nose roller spindle exerts a first force against the frame and a second force equal to and opposite the first force against the nose roller spindle. A first sensor senses a position of a belt edge, and a first controller receives a belt edge position signal from the first sensor and sends a command signal responsive to the position signal to the first linear actuator for expanding or contracting so as to pivot the pivot arm about a pivot point.

A belt sander includes a frame, a drive roller, an idler roller rotatably attached to a pivot arm, a first linear actuator configured for pivoting the pivot arm, a nose roller and a continuous abrasive belt wrapped around the drive roller, the idler roller and the nose roller. A drive motor rotates the drive roller, and an air cylinder attached to the frame and a nose roller spindle exerts a first force against the frame and a second force equal to and opposite the first force against the nose roller spindle. A first sensor senses a position of a belt edge, and a first controller receives a belt edge position signal from the first sensor and sends a command signal responsive to the position signal to the first linear actuator for expanding or contracting so as to pivot the pivot arm about a pivot point.

A belt sander for sanding a workpiece including a main housing, a motor having a motor shaft disposed within the main housing, a gear assembly driven by the motor shaft, and a drive assembly coupled to the gear assembly for driving a sanding belt. The drive assembly includes a hammer coupled to the motor shaft, an anvil configured to receive rotational impacts from the hammer, and a spring biasing the hammer towards the anvil. The drive assembly is configured to convert the continuous torque provided by the motor and gear assembly to intermittent applications of torque to the anvil. The sanding belt is coupled to the anvil, such that the sanding belt is intermittently driven by the drive assembly when an abrasive load between the sanding belt and a workpiece causes a reaction torque exerted on the anvil to exceed a biasing force of the spring.

A belt sander for sanding a workpiece including a main housing, a motor having a motor shaft disposed within the main housing, a gear assembly driven by the motor shaft, and a drive assembly coupled to the gear assembly for driving a sanding belt. The drive assembly includes a hammer coupled to the motor shaft, an anvil configured to receive rotational impacts from the hammer, and a spring biasing the hammer towards the anvil. The drive assembly is configured to convert the continuous torque provided by the motor and gear assembly to intermittent applications of torque to the anvil. The sanding belt is coupled to the anvil, such that the sanding belt is intermittently driven by the drive assembly when an abrasive load between the sanding belt and a workpiece causes a reaction torque exerted on the anvil to exceed a biasing force of the spring.

A belt sander for sanding a workpiece and defining a center of gravity within a first plane. The belt sander includes a housing, a handle defining a second plane, and a drive unit disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a motor disposed adjacent a first sidewall of the housing, a pulley system disposed adjacent a second sidewall of the housing opposite the first sidewall, and a transmission disposed between the motor and the pulley system. The belt sander further includes a belt drive system driven by the drive unit and including a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a platen. The platen defines a third plane extending perpendicular therefrom. The transmission and pulley system are disposed on one side of the first plane and the motor is disposed on an opposite side of the first plane. The motor is intersected by the second and third planes.

A belt sander for sanding a workpiece and defining a center of gravity within a first plane. The belt sander includes a housing, a handle defining a second plane, and a drive unit disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a motor disposed adjacent a first sidewall of the housing, a pulley system disposed adjacent a second sidewall of the housing opposite the first sidewall, and a transmission disposed between the motor and the pulley system. The belt sander further includes a belt drive system driven by the drive unit and including a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a platen. The platen defines a third plane extending perpendicular therefrom. The transmission and pulley system are disposed on one side of the first plane and the motor is disposed on an opposite side of the first plane. The motor is intersected by the second and third planes.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has an abrasive medium that is advanced by a motor and an edge guide surface adjacent the abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is sharpened by bringing a first portion of the cutting edge into contacting engagement with the edge guide surface and drawing a second portion of the cutting edge across the abrasive medium. A plurality of spaced apart channels are formed in the sharpened cutting edge by contactingly engaging the sharpened cutting edge with a cold forging member with sufficient force to displace portions of the sharpened cutting edge. The channels in the sharpened cutting edge constitute locally deformed, work hardened notches.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has an abrasive medium that is advanced by a motor and an edge guide surface adjacent the abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is sharpened by bringing a first portion of the cutting edge into contacting engagement with the edge guide surface and drawing a second portion of the cutting edge across the abrasive medium. A plurality of spaced apart channels are formed in the sharpened cutting edge by contactingly engaging the sharpened cutting edge with a cold forging member with sufficient force to displace portions of the sharpened cutting edge. The channels in the sharpened cutting edge constitute locally deformed, work hardened notches.