Patent Publication Number: US-2006011033-A1

Title: Mitre saw with adjustable fence

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to miter saws and more particularly to power driven miter saws where the angle between the cutting blade and the support fence is adjustable to provide for a wide range of cutting angles.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Power driven miter saws of this type are well known and commonly used on building sites and by those involved in woodworking to allow for ease of cutting various lengths of wood to have required simple or complex (compound) cut angles. The basic type of miter saw simply comprises a circular saw blade which is operable in a cutting plane substantially perpendicular to a work surface on which the workpiece to be cut is supported by an appropriate fence. The plane in which the blade is operable can then be angularly adjusted relative to the fence (which is fixed relative to the base of the miter saw) to change the cutting angle relative thereto.  
      Alternatively, such miter saws may additionally further provide for the blade to be adjustably inclined relative to the work surface to provide for bevel cuts (or compound miter cuts) whereby the blade is not only inclined in a first plane relative to the work surface (and thus the workpiece) but also has a second angular component relative to the fence. Such compound miter cuts are commonly used for producing roofing joints. One further design variant of miter saws allow the blade not only to be raised and lowered relative to the work surface but also, in the use of cross cut miter saws, to be displaced longitudinally outwardly of such a work surface to produce a sliding compound miter saw. However, in all such variants, the basic operation of the miter saw remains constant, that is: the circular saw blade employed is operative in a first cutting plane relative to the work surface where this plane intersects the work surface at a first cutting line and this cutting line can be angularly inclined relative to a fixed fence on the miter saw to define the appropriate miter angle required.  
      Typical prior art miter saws comprise a fixed base assembly having a rotatable table or work surface, on which the adjustable saw blade securely mounted for corresponding rotation relative to the base and is also pivotally mounted so that a user can downwardly pivot the saw assembly to bring the blade towards this table, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The base assembly has fixedly mounted thereon the miter fence, so that the table not only rotates relative to the base assembly but also relative to the fence. In this manner, since the cutting plane defined by the adjustable blade intersects the rotatable table assembly in a first cutting line, the cutting line of such blade can then be angularly inclined relative to the fence to select the miter angle. Once a miter angle has been selected the table is then releasably secured to the base unit to lock the saw the appropriate angle.  
      One example of a miter saw of this type is disclosed in the Applicants&#39; corresponding European Patent Application EP 0 949 048 showing a portable miter saw of this type, although the same principle of operation is equably applicable on prior art stationary miter saws employing larger work surfaces or bases.  
      Another example is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows a conventional miter saw according to the prior art. This miter saw  10  has a fixed base assembly  12  having rotatably mounted thereon a table  14 . Securely fixed to the rotatable table  14  is a saw assembly  16  which basically comprises a handle  18  (usually comprising a trigger switch, not shown) together with a motor housing  20  housing an electric motor (either mains operated or battery operated) with a conventional bearing assembly and output for driving a circular saw blade  22 , which is shown here housed behind an automatically adjustable blade guard  24 . The entire saw assembly  16  is mounted on a conventional hinge arrangement  26  so as to pivot about an axis A, so as to pivotally displace the blade  22  towards the work surface  14  in a first cutting plane.  
      As is conventional for miter saws of this type (and, as such, will not be described in great detail herein), the adjustable blade guards  24  are automatically displaced about the circumference of the blade housing  25  as the saw assembly  16  is pivotally displaced towards the table  14 , so as to expose the rotating blade  22  as it approaches this work surface and a workpiece mounted thereon.  
      The blade  22  defines a first cutting plane through which pivotal displacement of the saw assembly  16  moves the blade  22 . The plane in which this blade  22  itself lies, perpendicular to axis A, is defined as the cutting plane and is represented by the plane through which the blade  22  itself is pivotally displaceable. This cutting plane subsequently intersects the table  14  along a cutting line illustrated by the line X-X in  FIG. 1  and along which cutting line X-X the table  14  is provided with an elongated groove or channel  30  which will accommodate the blade  22  as it is pivotally displaced into cutting engagement with a workpiece placed on table  14 .  
      The miter saw  10  further includes a fence assembly  32  which comprises two separate sections  34   a ,  34   b  each rigidly secured to the base member  12 , and restrained from rotation thereto. This fence assembly  32  presents a workpiece supporting portion against which a workpiece (such as a length of timber) may be disposed and held firm during the cutting operation.  
      This fence assembly  32  further comprises a gap or recess  36  overlying the cutting line X-X so as not to inhibit or engage the rotating blade  22  during the cutting operation. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the adjacent end faces  38   a ,  38   b  of the fence assembly  32  disposed either side of this recess  36  may be either vertical  38   a  (where the saw blade  22  is to be maintained in a cutting plane which is not angularly adjustable relative to the work surface) or alternatively, if the miter saw is a compound miter saw, whereby the hinged connection of the saw assembly  16  is rotatable (so as to incline the axis A and thus the angle of inclination of the cutting plane relative to the work surface (as will be described below)) then the end face  38   b  of the fence  34   a  is inclined so as to facilitate operation of and accommodate the blade when in such an inclined cutting plane relative to the table  14 .  
      The miter saw  10  of  FIG. 1  illustrates a miter saw orientated for cutting at right angles. Here the cutting line X-X is disposed substantially at an angle α of 90° relative to the fence assembly  32  so as to provide a right angled cut through a workpiece placed on this saw  10  adjacent to the fence  32  as the blade  22  is pivotally lowered into engagement therewith.  
      In order to vary the miter angle of cut of such saw, the table  14  is rotated relative to the base assembly  12  by releasing a fixing mechanism  40  between the table  14  and the base assembly  12 . In the prior art example of  FIG. 1 , a rotatable screw threaded engagement member  40  provides a releasable locking mechanism between two work surfaces and the base assembly  12 . As is conventional in the art, rotation of this table  14  in the direction shown generally by arrows B in  FIG. 1  effects angular displacement of cutting line X-X relative to the base assembly  12  and hence fixed fence  32 , thereby varying the angle α therebetween and hence the miter cutting angle.  
      The table  14  is provided with an indicia marking  44  which is read against a fixed angular scale (or indicia)  46  on the base assembly  12  to determine the exact angle α between the cutting line X-X and the fence  32 . In this manner, the operator can pre-select the required miter angle by adjustment of the table  14  until the correct angular alignment is achieved, and the table  14  is then secured in engagement with the base station  12  at this pre-determined angle.  
      However, while this type of conventional miter saw provides for an efficient manner of adjusting the miter angle, the mechanisms employed to provide for such a rotatable table releasably secured to a base assembly are somewhat complex and expensive to manufacture and service.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to the present invention, a miter saw may have an operable cutting blade supported relative to a work surface and displaceable in a first cutting plane wherein this cutting plane intersects the work surface along a first cutting line, the miter saw may further comprise an adjustable elongate fence angularly displaceable relative to this first cutting line, the fence being preferably mounted on and supported by the work surface so as to be angularly displaceable thereon relative to said cutting line. Such miter saws may further comprise means for inclining the cutting plane relative to the work surface, as is conventional in miter saws used for producing bevel cuts, whereby this cutting plane still intersects the work surface along said cutting line.  
      Preferably, the work surface will comprise a recessed channel along the first cutting line for accommodating the blade when the blade is displaced in this first cutting plane so as to pass through the cutting line. Preferably, the fence will comprise at least one releasable restraint member for restraining the fence to the work surface in a plurality of angularly adjusted orientations relative to the cutting line so that the user may selectively adjust the miter angle required and lock the fence in the appropriate position.  
      In addition, the present invention may also provide for a miter saw which allows the fence to be longitudinally adjusted along the cutting line so as to vary the operative cutting depth provided by such miter saws. This feature is particularly beneficial for use with compound sliding miter saws for cutting objects having varied thicknesses and depth.  
      Preferably, the fence itself will extend over the cutting line so as to support a workpiece either side of the cutting line during the cutting operation. Here, the fence will usually have a recess form therein for overlying the cutting line and, in particular, the recessed channel in the work surface, so as not to inhibit or engage the blade as it performs the cutting operation and passes through the work surface. As such, it is preferable that the fence comprise at least two separate elongate sections, each presenting a support face extending perpendicular to the work surface in the same fence plane, with the recess here formed as a break between these two separate sections. At least one of the adjacent free ends of the separate sections of the fence may be inclined longitudinally outwardly of this break so as to provide an inclined support surface to the object to be cut which accommodates the blade when the cutting plane is inclined relative to the work surface.  
      Where the fence comprises separated sections disposed either side of the cutting line, the separate sections are preferably interconnected by a rigid support element extending therebetween so as to be remote from the recess. Usually this rigid support element will be substantially U-shaped extending out of the fence plane so as not to interfere with the blade in the cutting operation. Alternatively, this support element may extend substantially in the fence plane so as to be disposed below the work surface, again to avoid interference with the blade during the cutting operation. Alternatively, the separate sections of the fence may not be interconnected but may both be restrained in the same fence plane independently of one another, maintaining a constant angle of inclination of the fence relative to the cutting line.  
      It is preferable that the fence is pivotally mounted on the work surface about at least one pivot axis, wherein such a pivot axis is usually disposed substantially adjacent to the cutting line.  
      Preferably, the work surface will comprise at least one guide track and the fence will comprise at least one track following member in co-operative sliding engagement therewith, which facilitates the angular adjustment of the fence about the cutting line. In one embodiment, the track itself may be linear whereby it is therefore preferable that the or the at least one track following member is longitudinally adjustable along the elongate fence as the fence is pivoted about the pivot axis. Alternatively, or in combination, the work surface may in fact comprise at least two tracks and the fence comprise at least two track following members for co-operating engagement therewith. Again one or both of the track following members may be longitudinally adjustable about this elongate fence and the fence may optionally utilise a fixed pivot axis or may be simply inclined between the two tracks themselves relative to the cutting line.  
      Alternatively, some or all of the tracks may be arcuate, preferably disposed to be coaxial with the pivot axis where used. In this situation, the track following members may be securely fixed to the fence so as to follow the arcuate paths coaxial with the pivot axis. Alternatively, the fence may be pivotally mounted about at least one of the track following members and so to be both slideably adjustable relative to the cutting line in a longitudinal direction and also angularly displaceable thereabouts.  
      It is preferable that at least one of the track follower members would form at least one of the releasable restraint members for restraining the fence to the work surface. Such releasable restraint members may be rotatably adjustable to effect such engagement with the work surface. The screw threaded engagement may be achieved with a washer or nut member disposed within the track so as to exert a compressive force on the work surface disposed between such washer and the fence.  
      ???In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, such miter saws may employ work surfaces comprising an array of first engagement means for co-operative releasable engagement with at least one second engagement means on the fence for restraining the fence on the work surface at a pre-determined angular inclination relative to the cutting line, wherein engagement of the second engagement means with a different one of the array of first engagement means restrains the fence in a second pre-determined angle relative to the cutting line. Usually the first engagement means will comprise an array of holes in the work surface and the second engagement means will comprise at least one projection member for engagement with one of the array of holes to effect appropriate angular alignment relative to the cutting line. Such projection members may comprise elongate members for co-operating engagement in corresponding angularly inclined (relative to cutting line) elongate slots, or may further comprise a plurality of projections for engagement with a plurality of holes to define the angular orientation, wherein the holes are appropriately positioned on the work surface so that engagement therewith would facilitate an appropriate angular inclination relative to the cutting line. It is usual that the projection members may be longitudinally adjustable along the fence.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  shows a miter saw according to the prior art; and  
       FIG. 2  shows a miter saw according to the present invention; and  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view from above of the miter saw of  FIG. 2 , illustrating an adjustable fence; and  
       FIG. 3   a  is a cross sectional view of the fence of the miter saw of  FIG. 3  along the lines III-III illustrating a fence restraint member; and  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a second embodiment of an adjustable fence according to the present invention; and  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration showing relative angular inclination of the cutting plane relative to the work surface of the miter saw of  FIG. 2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , showing the present invention, the table miter saw  110  preferably has a saw assembly  116  comprising a motor housing  112  which is connected through a bearing assembly (not shown) to a circular saw blade  122 . The saw assembly  116  may have a handle  118  with a trigger switch  119 . Handle  118  may be mounted to motor housing  112 . Blade  122  may be mounted within a blade housing  125  and surrounded by a displaceable blade guard  124 .  
      Saw assembly  116  may be mounted on a table or working surface  114 . Work surface  114  may be securely mounted on four sturdy legs  117  to provide a stationary miter saw. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, while the work surface  114  is shown as mounted on legs  117 , the current invention is equally applicable to a portable miter saw of the type shown in  FIG. 1 . Saw assembly  116  is preferably pivotally mounted about an axis A through a conventional hinge arrangement so as to allow pivotal displacement of the saw blade  122  towards the work surface  114  about this axis A, as described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  
      The work surface  114  may have an elongate recess or groove  130  for accommodating the blade  122  as it passes through the upper surface of this work surface  114 . As in the prior art embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the circular saw blade  122  may also be operative and rotatable in a first cutting plane which intersects with the work surface  114  along a cutting line shown again as X-X in  FIG. 2 .  
      The saw assembly  116  may be operated and controlled via a power box  135  receiving power input from a mains source.  
      The saw  110  may further comprises an adjustable fence member  134 . Fence member  134  may be pivotally adjustable over the surface of the work surface  114  so as to vary the angle between this fence member  134  and the cutting line X-X as will be more readily understood with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic plan view from above of the miter saw  110  of  FIG. 2  with the saw assembly  116  removed. The engagement between the saw assembly  116  and the work surface  114  is shown schematically at  150 , showing the pivot axis A disposed at right angles to the cutting line X-X.  
      As can be seen from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the saw assembly  116  and work surface  114  are preferably secured relative to one another and are fixed relative to a base and/or legs  117 , so as to be non rotatably mounted thereon. Fence member  134  may be mounted on the work surface  114  to be angularly adjustable relative thereto, and adjustable relative to the cutting line X-X.  
      Since the pivot axis A (about which the blade  122  is able to pivot) is now fixed relative to the work surface  114 , the cutting plane may also be fixed relative to the work surface  114  and is considered to be represented by a plane extending out of the paper, so as to be perpendicular thereto, along the line X-X of  FIG. 3 .  
      Fence member  134  may be substantially L-shaped in cross section ( FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 2 ). Fence member  134  may comprise an upright workpiece engaging face  152 , lying in a fence plane extending substantially perpendicular to the work surface  114 , and a rear stabilising flange  153  which preferably lies against the work surface  114 . Fence member  134  may be divided into two separate sections  134   a ,  134   b , forming a channel or recess  136  therebetween, similar to the recess formed in the fence  32  of  FIG. 1 . As will be appreciated from the Figures, this recess  136  preferably overlies the recessed channel  130  of the work surface  114  (and hence the cutting line X-X) and so allows for the blade  122  to pass between the fence member  134  without engagement therewith.  
      In this embodiment of the current invention, the two distinct sections  134   a ,  134   b  of the fence member  134  are preferably interconnected by a substantially U-shaped rigid support element  157  ( FIG. 3 ), which may be disposed rearwardly of the engaging face  152  and remote from the aperture  136  so as not to interfere with the blade  122  during operation of the miter saw  110 .  
      Alternatively, this U-shaped support section  157  could be formed so as to pass through the working surface  114  and underlie both the working surface  114  and the channel  130  again so as to not interfere with the blade  122  in operation. In such an alternative embodiment, the faces  152  of the fence member  134  define a substantially perpendicular plane to the working surface  114 , i.e., the fence plane, whereby the support member  157  would then preferably lie substantially in this fence plane. The main function of the support member  157  is to restrain the two separate sections  134   a ,  134   b  from relative angular or longitudinal displacement to one another so that their faces  152  are maintained substantially co-planar in this fence plane.  
      The fence member  134  (and fence plane) may be angularly displaceable relative to the cutting line X-X (angle β). This angular adjustment is achievable by a variety of methods and techniques all of which are considered to fall within the scope of the current invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the fence member  134  to be pivotally attached via a pivot member  163  having a pivot axis extending perpendicular to the working surface  114 , which is preferably disposed on the inner end of fence member  134   b . Fence member  134  is preferably rotatably displaceable about such pivot member.  
      The pivot member may comprise a pin member extending through the fence member  134  into a corresponding aperture within the working surface  114 . The second fence section  134   a  may be further provided with a restraint member  165  which passes through this fence section for co-operative engagement with the working surface  114  to releasably engage therewith to secure the fence member  134  in its desired angular orientation.  
      This restraint member  165  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 3   a ) may comprise a rotatable knurled knob  167  having an elongate screw threaded section  169  for co-operative screw threaded engagement with a nut member  171  slideably received within a longitudinally extending undercut slot  173  formed within the working surface  114 . The nut member  171  is preferably slidably displaceable within this undercut slot  173  but restrained from rotational displacement therein (e.g., such as by use of a hexagonal or square nut which engages the side walls of such slot  173 ).  
      When the restraint member  165  is rotated clockwise so as to effect screw threaded arrangement between the threaded section  169  and the nut  171 , the nut  171  is forced upwardly along the length of the threaded section  169 . Nut  171  thereby engages with the shoulders  175  of the undercut slot  173 , resulting in a compressive force being applied between the nut  171  and the knob  167 , in turn compressing the fence member  134  into engagement with the working surface  114  to frictionally restrain the fence member  134  in engagement therewith.  
      When the knob  167  is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, such compressive force is relieved, allowing the restraint member  165  to be slideably displaceable along the slot  173  as the fence member  134  is pivoted about pivot point  163  to change the angular displacement β between the fence member  134  and the cutting line X-X.  
      The fence section  138  may also comprise an elongated aperture  180  for accommodating the restraint member  165 . Such aperture  180  may allow the restraint member  165  to be longitudinally displaceable along the fence member  134   a  to compensate for the longitudinal displacement of the fence member  134   a  relative to the channel  173  during the pivotal displacement about pivot point  163 .  
      Working surface  114  may be further provided with indicia markings  181  defining appropriate angular configurations β to allow the user to correctly set angle β as required by aligning the fence member  34  with such markings.  
      The current invention further provides for longitudinal adjustment of the fence member  134  longitudinally along the cutting line X-X. Since the fence member  134  may be simply pivotally engaged with the working surface  114  by use of a pin member through the pivot point  163 , the entire fence member  134  can be displaced along the line X-X and again pivotally operated in the manner previously described by longitudinal adjustment of this pivot axis, in a direction parallel to the cutting line X-X and subsequent engagement with an alternatively longitudinally displaced hole  183 . This longitudinal adjustment of the fence provides an additional advantage of allowing different sized workpieces to be cut. Additionally, the indicia  181  may be reset so as to be correctly aligned with the alternative pivot axis position  183  to again ensure the user is able to correctly determine angle β by use of such indicia being aligned with the fence plane. The longitudinal adjustment of the fence may be particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with a sliding compound miter saw.  
      Persons skilled in the art should recognize that, while the pivot point  163  is shown substantially adjacent to the cutting line X-X, this pivot axis could be alternatively displaced anywhere along the length of the fence section  134   b  provided that the aperture  136  is sufficiently large to prevent either of the fence sections  134   a ,  134   b  overlying the cutting line X-X in any one of the desired angular settings β.  
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative arrangement of an adjustable fence mechanism for use with the miter saw  110  of  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the pivot axis  163  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  is removed and both sections  134   a ,  134   b  of the fence member  134  are provided with restraint members  165  with corresponding, longitudinally extending apertures  180  (as previously described with reference to  FIG. 3 )). Both restraint members  165  co-operate with corresponding longitudinally extending slots  173  formed in the working surface  114  in the manner previously described with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
      In this situation, the fence member  134  may be slideably adjustable along both slots  173  by releasing the restraint members  165 , allowing the fence plane to be aligned between two sets of indicia  181  designating the appropriate miter angle (one each associated with each slot  173 ), with the operator ensuring that the recess  136  overlies the cutting line X-X. Again for this embodiment, the fence  134  may be longitudinally displaceable along the cutting line X-X by appropriate displacement along the channels  173 , whereby the indicia associated with each channel  173  may also be displaceable and reset in this longitudinal direction to allow correct determination of the angle β. Once the appropriate angle β has been determined by alignment of the fence member  134  with the appropriate indicia, both of the restraint members  165  may then be engaged to restrain the fence member  134  in that desired position.  
      The current invention is also applicable to compound miter saws whereby the cutting plane in which the blade  122  is operable, is angularly adjustable relative to the working surface  114 . This is clearly shown in  FIG. 5  showing a schematic cross section through the miter saw  110  of  FIG. 2 , schematically illustrating the cutting plane  300  when the blade  122  is in the position shown in  FIG. 2  and disposed substantially at right angles to the working surface  114 , wherein the blade  122  is vertically displaceable into and out of engagement with a workpiece mounted on the working surface  114  (shown generally by arrow  302 ).  
      However, if the blade  122  is angularly adjusted to a second cutting plane  304  (as is conventional in compound miter saws), this cutting plane  304  will preferably intersect the working surface  114  along the same cutting line X-X, although the cutting plane will be angularly disposed relative to the working surface  114 . However, since the fence member  134  is angularly adjustable on the working surface  114  relative to the cutting line X-X then its effectiveness will not be affected by angular inclination of the cutting plane  304 .  
       FIG. 5  also illustrates the benefit of providing the fence member  134  with inclined edges  386  adjacent to the recess  136  to accommodate such an inclined cutting plane so that the fence member  134  will not interfere or engage the blade  122  as it is displaced towards the working surface  114  along this inclined cutting plane  304 .  
      It will be appreciated that there are many variations to the specific embodiments described herein which still fall within the general scope of the current invention, where the fence of such a miter saw is angularly adjustable relative to a fixed work surface  114 . In particular, the slots  173  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  need not be parallel to the cutting line X-X and may in fact be arcuate (and, in  FIG. 3 , co-axial with the pivot point  163 ) with the associated restraint member  165  thereby secured from longitudinal displacement on the fence member  134  and simply able to follow the pre-defined arcuate path when undergoing angular displacement.  
      In addition, while the preferred embodiment has been described with the restraint members  165  being slideably adjustable along slots  173 , an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 3  may employ an engagement mechanism mounted on the fence member  134  which is only co-operable with the table at pre-determined angular positions (for example every 5°). An example of this embodiment employs the use of a spring biased projection member, biased towards engagement with the working surface  114 , for co-operable engagement with an array of apertures formed therein at pre-determined angular orientations. Thus to effect a change of angle β a spring biased member is lifted out of engagement with one such hole or aperture in the working surface  114 , whereby subsequent angular adjustment of the fence member  134  about the axis  163  displaces such spring biased projection until it overlay a further hole in the work surface, and released into engagement therewith. Again such holes in the working surface  114  could be arrayed along an arcuate path coaxial with the axis  163  or alternatively the spring bias projection could be slideably mounted on the fence member  134  with the array of holes being substantially linear and parallel to the cutting line X-X. Each hole would be representative of a pre-determined angular adjustment of β.  
      While it is preferable to rigidly interconnect to the two sections  134   a ,  134   b  of the fence member  134  by use of the support element  157 , this is not essential to the operation of the invention. It is envisaged that both of the sections  134   a ,  134   b  could be independently adjustable on the working surface  114 . One example of such a configuration would be for each section  134   a ,  134   b  to have, as a restraint member, an elongate downwardly extending projection for complimentary co-operation with elongate slots formed within the work surface at pre-determined orientations to the cutting line which will automatically align the two fence sections  134   a ,  134   b  at pre-determined angular orientations relative to the cutting line X-X. Alternatively, it is possible that both separate sections  134   a ,  134   b  could each employ two restraint members  165  both located in the same slots  180  and each engageable with two parallel channels  173  to provide for angular adjustment of the fence plane by alignment with pre-determined indicias marked on the working surface  114 .  
      Still further, where the two sections  134   a ,  134   b  of the fence member  134  are not interconnected and are thus independently adjustable on the working surface  114 , it would also be possible for each of these two sections to be disposed at completely different angles relative to the cutting line X-X. Here, for example, each section may be disposed at 45° to the cutting line X-X so as to form a substantial right angle between the two fence members which would allow the accurate positioning of a right angled workpiece relative to the cutting line X-X.  
      While the preferred embodiment herein described relates to miter saws having circular saw blades, the current invention is equally applicable to miter saws having power driven linear reciprocating blades which are displaceable towards the work surface in the previously described cutting plane.  
      Finally, the restraint members  165  described in the examples shown herein are by way of reference only and it is well understood and known within the art to provide many alternative forms of releasable engagement means for restraining adjustable articles to a work surface, all of which are considered to be incorporated within the current invention.  
      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.