Abstract:
A miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a saw assembly supporting a saw blade and having a motor for rotatably driving the saw blade, a housing pivotally supporting the saw assembly related to the table in such a manner that the saw assembly is at least laterally pivotable, and a bevel stop mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the saw assembly at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, the bevel stop mechanism comprising a movable rod and first, second and third fixed stop members. The table may be rotatably attached to a base.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/644,114, filed Aug. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,976, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/409,772, filed Sep. 11, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to miter saws and specifically to bevel stop mechanisms for slide and/or non-sliding miter saws. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Slide miter saws are well known in the art as they provide extended cutting range over non-sliding miter saws. Non-sliding and slide miter saws both typically have a base, a rotatable table attached to the base, a saw assembly including a motor, a blade rotatable about an axis and driven by the motor, a cover housing covering the motor, an upper blade guard covering the upper part of blade, and a lower guard pivotably attached to the upper blade guard for covering the lower part of the blade. Accordingly, the saw assembly is pivoted downwardly for cutting a workpiece disposed on the base and table. 
   In addition, slide miter saws enable the user to move the saw assembly horizontally along the table. Most slide miter saws accomplish this by connecting the upper blade guard (and thus the saw assembly) to a pivot arm, which in turn is connected to a trunnion, which is fixedly connected to at least one rail, which is slidably attached to a support housing connected to the table (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,885). With such arrangement, the user would pull the saw assembly forwardly, move the saw assembly downwardly, then push the saw assembly rearwardly for cutting the workpiece. 
   Typically, the saw assembly can be pivoted about a substantially horizontal axis, i.e., the bevel axis, over a range of angles. Many miter saws can bevel between about −5° to about 50°. Other miter saws, known as double-bevel miter saws, can bevel between about −50° to about 50°. 
   It is desirable to provide a bevel stop mechanism to easily locate commonly used bevel angles. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, an improved miter saw is employed. The miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a saw assembly supporting a saw blade and having a motor for rotatably driving the saw blade, a housing pivotally supporting the saw assembly related to the table in such a manner that the saw assembly is at least laterally pivotable, and a bevel stop mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the saw assembly at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, the bevel stop mechanism comprising a movable rod and first, second and third fixed stop members, wherein the rod is movable between a first position where the rod can contact the first and second fixed stop members, but not the third fixed stop member, to define a first range of pivoted positions, and a second position where the rod can contact the first and third fixed stop member, but not the second fixed stop member, to define a second range of pivoted positions, wherein the first and second range of pivoted positions partially coincide, and the rod being pivotable between first and second axial positions to modify the second range of pivoted positions. 
   Additional features and benefits of the present invention are described, and will be apparent from, the accompanying drawings and the detailed description below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention according to the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a left side view of a first miter saw according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial rear view along line B-B of  FIG. 1  of a first embodiment of the bevel stop mechanism according to the invention; 
       FIGS. 3-5  shows the first embodiment of the bevel stop mechanism in different operating modes, where  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A and  5 A show a rod in first, second and third positions, respectively, and  FIGS. 3B ,  4 B and  5 B are partial cross-sectional views along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial rear view along line B-B of  FIG. 1  of a second embodiment of the bevel stop mechanism according to the invention; 
       FIGS. 7-9  shows the second embodiment of the bevel stop mechanism in different operating modes, where  FIGS. 7A ,  8 A and  9 A show a rod in first, second and third positions, respectively, and  FIGS. 7B ,  8 B and  9 B are partial cross-sectional views along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a left side view of a second miter saw according to the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a partial rear view along line C-CB of  FIG. 11  of a third and fourth embodiments of the bevel stop mechanism according to the invention; 
       FIGS. 12-14  shows the third embodiment of the bevel stop mechanism in different positions, where  FIGS. 12A ,  13 A and  14 A show the bevel stop mechanism in first, second and third positions, respectively, and  FIGS. 12B ,  13 B and  14 B are partial cross-sectional views along lines E-E, F-F, and G-G of  FIGS. 12A ,  13 A and  14 A, respectively; and 
       FIGS. 15-17  shows the fourth embodiment of the bevel stop mechanism in different positions, where  FIGS. 15A ,  16 A and  17 A show the bevel stop mechanism in first, second and third positions, respectively, and  FIGS. 15B ,  16 B and  17 B are partial cross-sectional views along lines H-H, I-I, and J-J of  FIGS. 15A ,  16 A and  17 A, respectively. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like parts. Persons skilled in the art should understand that, while the invention is being explained in terms of a slide miter saw, the invention is also applicable to non-sliding miter saws. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a slide miter saw  10  preferably has a base  11 , a table  12  rotatably connected to the base  11 , a support housing  15  pivotally connected to table  12 , at least one (and preferably two) rail(s)  14  slidably connected to the support housing  15 , a trunnion  13  attached to one end of the rail(s)  14 , and a saw assembly  20  which comprises a pivot arm  26  pivotably attached to trunnion  13 , a motor  21 , a blade  22  driven by the motor  21 , an upper blade guard  24  for covering an upper part of blade  22 , and a lower blade guard  25  pivotally attached to the upper blade guard  24  for covering a lower part of blade  22 . Preferably the motor  21  is attached to the upper blade guard  17 . These elements are well known in the art. Persons skilled in the art are referred to U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,885, which is wholly incorporated by reference herein. 
   The slide miter saw  10  may also have a movable fence assembly  40  attached to the base  11 . Movable fence assembly  40  preferably extends laterally across table  12 , against which a workpiece can be positioned and supported for performing a cutting operation thereon. Movable fence assembly  40  may include a fixed fence  41  attached to base  11 , and a movable fence  42  connected to the fixed fence  41 . Preferably, movable fence  42  is slidably attached to fixed fence  41 . Persons skilled in the art are referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,297,463 and 5,943,931, which are wholly incorporated by reference herein. 
   As mentioned above, the support housing  15  is pivotally connected to table  12 , allowing the user to change the bevel angle. The table  12  may have a shaft  12 P fixedly attached thereto that extends through support housing  15 . The support housing  15  may then be sandwiched between table  12  and a nut  12 N threadingly engaging shaft  12 P, as is well known in the art. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the nut  12 N is disposed so as to allow, rather than prevent, the rotational movement of support housing  15 . 
   A bevel lock mechanism is preferably provided to fix the bevel angle of saw assembly  20 . The bevel lock mechanism may include a shaft  19  fixedly attached to table  12  and extending through support housing  15 , and a handle  18  threadingly engaging shaft  19 . The support housing  15  may then be sandwiched between table  12  and handle  18 . Accordingly, the user need only to rotate the handle  18 , which moves along shaft  19 , fixing the bevel angle. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that shaft  19  will not be shown in  FIGS. 3-5  and  7 - 9  for the sake of clarity. 
   Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, since shaft  19  is preferably fixed, support housing  15  should be provided with a slot  15 S to allow support housing  15  to pivot through the entire desired range of bevel angles. Persons skilled in the art should also recognize that, while slot  15 S should be wider than the portion shaft  19  extending through support housing  15 , it should be narrower than the portion of handle  18  which contacts and locks support housing  15 . 
   In addition, miter saw  10  is preferably provided with a bevel stop mechanism  30 . Bevel stop mechanism  30  preferably includes a stop rod  31  and three stop bosses  32 ,  33 ,  34 . Stop rod  31  is preferably slidably disposed within support housing  15 , so that it can move along its longitudinal axis. In addition, stop rod  31  may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3B , stop rod  31  may have projections or lobes  31 L which preferably extend along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  31 . In addition, stop rod  31  may have flat sides  31 F disposed transversely of the lobes  31 L. 
   Stop rod  31  may have a positioner  31 P attached thereto for selecting the rotational position of stop rod  31 , as will be discussed more fully below. Positioner  31 P may also shaped in an ergonomic shape to allow the user to use positioner  31 P as a handle, enabling the user to move stop rod  31  to the different positions. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that positioner  31 P may be integral and/or unitary with stop rod  31 . 
   Support housing  15  may also have a wall  15 W for engaging positioner  31 P. Preferably, wall  15 W have steps  15 WS that contact positioner  31 P when the positioner is placed in several different desirable positions. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the steps  15 WS in effect assist the user in finding those desirable positions. 
   Preferably, table  12  has three stop bosses  32 ,  33 ,  34 . Stop bosses  32 ,  33  may be subtantially coplanar, while stop boss  34  is disposed farther away from support housing  15  than stop bosses  32 ,  33 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A and  5 A, positioner  31 P (and thus stop rod  31 ) can be disposed in three main positions: (a) a first position; (b) a second pivoted position; and (c) a third plunged position, respectively. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , positioner  31 P is placed onto step  15 WS 1  and into the first position. In this position, stop rod  31  extends out of support housing  15  and into table  12  assembly such that it can contact either stop boss  32  or  33 . However, stop rod  31  is not long enough to extend further enough into table  12  to contact stop boss  34 . 
   Preferably, the positions of stop bosses  32 ,  33  are selected to define a first bevel angle range, having limits at the points where the lobes  31 L of stop rod  31  contact the stop bosses  32 ,  33 . For example, stop bosses  32 ,  33  can be used to define a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 45°. Accordingly, as support housing  15  is pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction, stop rod  31  moves towards stop boss  32 . When stop rod  31  contacts stop boss  32 , the saw assembly  20  is at the 0° bevel angle. Similarly, as support housing  15  is pivoted in the clockwise direction, stop rod  31  moves towards stop boss  33 . When stop rod  31  contacts stop boss  33 , the saw assembly  20  is at the 45° bevel angle. The user can then fix the bevel angle by rotating handle  18 . 
   Persons skilled in the art will recognize that other bevel angle ranges can be defined by positioning stop bosses  32 ,  33  at other positions. For example, stop bosses  32 ,  33  can define a bevel angle range starting at −45° and ending at 45°, etc. 
   Preferably, the ends of stop bosses  32 ,  33  contact stop rod  31 . In addition, the longitudinal axes of stop bosses  32  and/or  33  are preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  31 . However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the longitudinal axes of stop bosses  32  and/or  33  may be alternatively angled relative to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  31 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , positioner  31 P is rotated clockwise from the first position onto step  15 WS 2  and into the second position. In this position, stop rod  31  extends out of support housing  15  and into table  12  assembly such that it can contact either stop boss  32  or  33 . However, stop rod  31  is not long enough to extend further enough into table  12  to contact stop boss  34 . 
   In other words, stop rod  31  may just be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Preferably, stop rod  31  is rotated enough so that flat sides  31 F, rather than lobes  31 L, contact stop bosses  32 ,  33 . In the arrangement described above, stop rod  31  could be rotated about 90° from the first position to the second position. 
   Because the diameter of stop rod  31  is effectively changed, the bevel angle range defined by stop bosses  32 ,  33  is also changed without having to change the positions of stop bosses  32 ,  33 . For example, instead of defining a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 45°, stop bosses  32 ,  33  may define a bevel angle range starting at −3° and ending at 48°, etc. 
   The difference is of course dependent upon the width differential of stop rod  31 . Persons skilled in the art will know to select the widths of stop rod  31  dependent upon the desired bevel angle range differential, i.e., whether the angle different should be 3° or 5°, etc. Persons skilled in the art will also recognize that the widths can be selected so that the angle differential at each end of the bevel angle range is different. For example, the widths can be selected so that the first bevel angle range is 0°-45°, whereas the expanded bevel angle range is −3° to 50°. In other words, the respective differential is 3° and 5° at the ends defined by stop bosses  32 ,  33 , respectively. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , positioner  31 P is rotated counter-clockwise from the second position and plunged onto step  15 WS 3  and into the third position. In this position, stop rod  31  extends out of support housing  15  and into table  12  assembly such that it can contact either stop boss  32  or  34 . However, because of the position of stop boss  34 , stop rod  31  will not to contact stop boss  33 . 
   In other words, stop rod  31  may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and slid along its longitudinal axis. Preferably, stop rod  31  is rotated enough so that lobes  31 L, rather than flat sides  31 F, contact stop bosses  32 ,  34 . In the arrangement described above, stop rod  31  could be rotated about 45° from the first position to the second position. 
   Preferably, the positions of stop bosses  32 ,  34  are selected to define a second bevel angle range, having limits at the points where the lobes  31 L of stop rod  31  contact the stop bosses  32 ,  34 . For example, stop bosses  32 ,  33  can be used to define a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 33.85°, a common crown-molding cutting position. Alternatively, stop bosses  32 ,  34  can define a bevel angle range starting at −45° and ending at 0°, where stop boss  33  defines 45°. 
   Preferably, the end of stop boss  34  contacts stop rod  31 . In addition, the longitudinal axis of stop boss  34  is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  31 . However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the longitudinal axis of stop boss  34  may be alternatively angled relative to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  31 . 
   In addition, step  15 WS 3  may be shaped or dimensioned so that stop rod  31  cannot be rotated when in the plunged position. 
   Preferably, stop bosses  32 - 34  are bolts that threadingly engage table  12 , and may be adjustable. The adjustability of each stop boss  32 - 34  is provided by the threaded connection between the bolts and table  12 . This adjustability allows the user to accurately set specific bevel angles. 
   A spring (not shown) may be disposed between the housing  15  and stop rod  31  for biasing stop rod  31  towards the plunged position of  FIG. 5 . Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, while stop rod  31  is biased towards the plunged position, steps  15 WS 1 ,  15 WS 2  will prevent stop rod  31  from moving into the plunged position. 
   The spring may be a compression spring. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that other means, such as elastomeric materials and structures, can be utilized to bias the stop rod  31  into the plunged position. 
   In addition, persons skilled in the art should recognize that the stop rod  31  may be disposed on table  12 , while the stop bosses  32 - 34  may be disposed on the support housing  15 . 
   It may be preferable to provide stop rod  31  with a protrusion (not shown) to prevent the user from pulling stop rod  31  out of support housing  31 , or from pulling stop rod  31  enough to avoid contact with stop bosses  32 ,  33 . 
   A second embodiment of bevel stop mechanism  30  is shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , wherein like numerals designate like parts. The teachings of the previous embodiment are wholly incorporated herein. 
   One of the differences between the first and second embodiments is that stop rod  31  may have a knob  31 K separate from positioner  31 P for moving stop rod  31 . Persons skilled in the art will recognize that positioner  31 P and/or knob  31 K may be integral and/or unitary with stop rod  31 . 
   Another difference between the first and second embodiments is that positioner  31 P engages notches  15 N in wall  15 W for selecting the rotational position of stop rod  31 . The notches  15 N are disposed in such manner to obtain the desired rotational positions. For example, referring to  FIG. 7 , positioner  31 P is placed onto notch  15 N 1  and into the first position equivalent to the first position shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , positioner  31 P is rotated counter-clockwise from the first position onto notch  15 N 2  and into the second position equivalent to the second position shown in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , positioner  31 P is rotated clockwise from the second position and plunged onto notch  15 N 3  and into the third position. Other than these differences, the first and second embodiments function in the same manner. 
   A third embodiment of a bevel stop mechanism is shown in  FIGS. 10-14 , wherein like numerals designate like parts. The teachings of the previous embodiments are wholly incorporated herein. 
   Miter saw  10  is preferably provided with a bevel stop mechanism  50 . Bevel stop mechanism  50  preferably includes a stop rod  51  with a fixed shaft  51 F fixedly attached to table  12 , and a movable sleeve  51 M slidably attached to fixed shaft  51 F. Stop rod  51  may also have a knob  51 K for manipulating the movement of sleeve  51 M. 
   Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, since fixed shaft  51 F is fixed, support housing  15  should be provided with a slot  15 BS to allow support housing  15  to pivot through the entire desired range of bevel angles. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12B , sleeve  51 M extends through support housing  15 . In addition, sleeve  51 M may be moved outwardly. Sleeve  51 M may have projections  51 P to prevent the user to pull sleeve  51 M off fixed shaft  51 F and completely out of support housing  15 . 
   In addition, bevel stop mechanism  50  may have three stop bosses  52 ,  53 ,  54  disposed on support housing  15 . As before, the positions where stop rod  51  contacts stop bosses  52 - 54  define the bevel angle of saw assembly  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , fixed shaft  51 F is preferably fully nested within sleeve  51 M. In other words, sleeve  51 M is in a plunged position. If support housing  15  is moved clockwise, stop boss  52  would contact sleeve  51 M. Similarly, if support housing  15  is moved counter-clockwise while sleeve  51 M is in the plunged position, stop boss  53  would contact sleeve  51 M as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
   Preferably, the positions of stop bosses  52 ,  53  are selected to define a first bevel angle range, having limits at the points where sleeve  51 M contact the stop bosses  52 ,  53 . For example, stop bosses  52 ,  53  can be used to define a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 33.85°, a common crown-molding cutting position. Accordingly, as support housing  15  is pivoted in the clockwise direction, stop boss  52  moves towards stop rod  51 . When sleeve  51 M contacts stop boss  52 , the saw assembly  20  is at the 0° bevel angle. Similarly, as support housing  15  is pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction, stop boss  53  moves towards stop rod  51 . When sleeve  51 M contacts stop boss  53 , the saw assembly  20  is at the 33.85° bevel angle. The user can then fix the bevel angle by rotating handle  18 . 
   Persons skilled in the art will recognize that other bevel angle ranges can be defined by positioning stop bosses  52 ,  53  at other positions. For example, stop bosses  52 ,  53  can define a bevel angle range starting at −45° and ending at 0°, etc. 
   Preferably, the ends of stop bosses  52 ,  53  contact stop rod  51 . In addition, the longitudinal axes of stop bosses  52  and/or  53  are preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  51 . However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the longitudinal axes of stop bosses  52  and/or  53  may be alternatively angled relative to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  51 . 
   If the user wants to move to a bevel angle beyond the stop boss  53 , the user need only slide sleeve  51 M along its longitudinal axis, i.e., pull out sleeve  51 M. Because the user has effectively reduced the diameter of stop rod  51 , support housing  15  can be further moved in the counter-clockwise direction, until stop boss  54  contacts sleeve  51 M. 
   Preferably, the positions of stop bosses  52 ,  54  are selected to define a second bevel angle range, having limits at the points where the stop rod  51  contact the stop bosses  52 ,  54 . For example, stop bosses  52 ,  54  can be used to define a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 45°. Alternatively, stop bosses  52 ,  54  can define a bevel angle range starting at −45° and ending at 45°, where stop boss  53  defines 0°. 
   Preferably, the end of stop boss  54  contacts stop rod  51 . In addition, the longitudinal axis of stop boss  54  is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  51 . However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the longitudinal axis of stop boss  54  may be alternatively angled relative to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  51 . 
   Persons skilled in the art will recognize that stop bosses  52 ,  54  may be substantially coplanar, whereas stop boss  53  will be disposed closer to table  12  than stop bosses  52 ,  54 . 
   Persons skilled in the art will recognize that in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , sleeve  51 M is dimensioned so that it cannot avoid contact with stop bosses  52 ,  54 . In other words, stop bosses  52 ,  54  cannot be bypassed. This is because projections  5  IP limit the travel range of sleeve  51 M along its longitudinal axis so that sleeve  51 M cannot slide out enough to bypass stop bosses  52 ,  54 . However, persons skilled in the art should recognize that the travel range of sleeve  51 M can be adjusted by changing the location of projections  51 P so that sleeve  51 M can slide out enough to bypass stop bosses  52 ,  54 . This would in effect increase the breadth of the second bevel angle range. 
   Preferably, stop bosses  52 - 54  are bolts that threadingly engage support housing  15 , and may be adjustable. The adjustability of each stop boss  52 - 54  is provided by the threaded connection between the bolts and support housing  15 . This adjustability allows the user to accurately set specific bevel angles. 
   Another embodiment of bevel stop mechanism  50  is shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , wherein like numerals designate like parts. The teachings of the previous embodiments are wholly incorporated herein. 
   One of the differences between the present and third embodiments is that stop bosses  52 ,  55  may be closer to table  12  than stop boss  56 . In addition, stop bosses  52 ,  55  may define the extremes of the bevel angle range, whereas stop boss  56  defines a bevel angle within this bevel angle range. 
   For example, stop bosses  52 ,  55  can be used to define a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 45°, as shown in  FIGS. 15-16 . Accordingly, as support housing  15  is pivoted in the clockwise direction, stop boss  52  moves towards stop rod  51 . When sleeve  51 M contacts stop boss  52 , the saw assembly  20  is at the 0° bevel angle. Similarly, as support housing  15  is pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction, stop boss  55  moves towards stop rod  51 . When sleeve  51 M contacts stop boss  55 , the saw assembly  20  is at the 45° bevel angle. The user can then fix the bevel angle by rotating handle  18 . As before, other bevel angle ranges can be defined by positioning stop bosses  52 ,  55  at other positions. For example, stop bosses  52 ,  53  can define a bevel angle range starting at −45° and ending at 45°, etc. 
   If the user wants to move to a bevel angle beyond the stop boss  55 , the user need only slide sleeve  51 M along its longitudinal axis, i.e., pull out sleeve  51 M. Because the user has effectively reduced the diameter of stop rod  51 , support housing  15  can be further moved, until stop boss  55  contacts fixed shaft  51 F. 
   The user can select a second bevel range defined by stop bosses  52 ,  56  by slide sleeve  51 M along its longitudinal axis, i.e., pull out sleeve  51 M, and rotating sleeve  51 M about its longitudinal axis, as shown in  FIG. 17 . This places a lobe or protrusion  51 L disposed on sleeve  51 M in position to contact stop boss  56  before fixed shaft  51 F contacts stop boss  55 . Preferably, the positions of stop bosses  52 ,  56  are selected to define a second bevel angle range, having limits at the points where the sleeve  51 M contact the stop bosses  52 ,  56 . For example, stop bosses  52 ,  56  can be used to define a bevel angle range starting at 0° and ending at 33.85°, a common crown-molding cutting position. Alternatively, stop bosses  52 ,  56  can define a bevel angle range starting at −45° and ending at 0°, where stop boss  55  defines 45°. 
   Preferably, the ends of stop bosses  55 ,  56  contact stop rod  51 . In addition, the longitudinal axes of stop bosses  55  and/or  56  are preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  51 . However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the longitudinal axes of stop bosses  55  and/or  56  may be alternatively angled relative to the longitudinal axis of stop rod  51 . 
   In addition, stop bosses  55 ,  56  may be bolts that threadingly engage support housing  15 , and may be adjustable. The adjustability of each stop boss  55 ,  56  is provided by the threaded connection between the bolts and support housing  15 . This adjustability allows the user to accurately set specific bevel angles. 
   Persons skilled in the art may recognize other additions or alternatives to the means disclosed herein. However, all these additions and/or alterations are considered to be equivalents of the present invention.