Abstract:
A reciprocating saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw having a movable shoe includes a main body including a first end configured to attach to the reciprocating saw, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge. The main body includes a plurality of coarse teeth and a plurality of fine teeth defined in the first edge, the coarse teeth extending along a length in the first edge near a center of the main body and the fine teeth being defined in the first edge on both sides of the coarse teeth. A first indicator is positioned on the main body adjacent the first edge and substantially aligned with a center of the length to indicate the center of the coarse teeth and a plurality of second indicators is positioned on the main body adjacent the second edge. Each of the plurality of second indicators is spaced a different distance from the first indicator than any of the other of the plurality of second indicators. Each distance corresponds to a size of a workpiece. Each of the plurality of second indicators is positioned between the first indicator and the first end such that no indicators are positioned on the side of the first indicator opposite the first end. Alignment of the shoe with any one of the plurality of second indicators aligns the first indicator with a center of a workpiece having a size corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of second indicators.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/422,175, now abandoned which claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/375,932, filed Apr. 26, 2002. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to tools and, more particularly, to tool elements, such as, for example, saw blades and drill bits. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Power tools, such as reciprocating saws, circular saws, and drills, utilize tool elements, such as reciprocating saw blades, circular saw blades, and drill bits, respectively, therewith to perform an operation, such as sawing or drilling, on a workpiece. It is desirable to properly position the tool element relative to the workpiece so that the operation is performed with the greatest efficiency. Typically, an operator guesses at the proper position of the tool element relative to the workpiece or “eyes-up” the tool element with the workpiece. By using these positioning procedures, the tool element is often not properly positioned relative to the workpiece to perform the operation with the greatest efficiency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Existing tools, such as power tools and hand held tools, typically use tool elements, such as, for example, saw blades and drill bits, to perform operations, such as cutting, boring, and drilling, on workpieces. Due to the size, shape, and/or material of the workpiece, the operation may need to be performed on the workpiece in a particular manner. In some instances, the tool element may need to be properly aligned with the workpiece to perform an efficient operation, or a portion of the tool, such as a guide or shoe, may need to be aligned with the workpiece to perform an efficient operation. 
         [0005]    With existing tool elements and tools, an operator must guess or visually line-up the tool element or portion of the tool with the workpiece. This procedure often results in inefficient operations due to the improper alignment of the tool element and/or tool with the workpiece. For example, a saw blade must be properly aligned with a workpiece when the workpiece is a tubular material in which a combination of thin and thick material cross-sections is encountered. Saw blades that cut tubular workpieces have a combination of coarse and fine teeth defined in an edge thereof for cutting the thick and thin material cross-sections, respectively. An operator must guess or visually line-up the coarse and fine teeth with the thick and thin cross-sections of the tubular material. This procedure often results in inefficient operations. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a tool element which alleviates one or more independent problems with existing tool elements and tools. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention provides a tool element that communicates to an end user the ideal alignment of a tool element with a workpiece in order to perform an efficient operation. 
         [0007]    More particularly, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention provides a tool element generally including a main body and an indicator positioned on the main body for indicating the position of the tool element relative to a workpiece. 
         [0008]    In some constructions, the indicator may correspond to a property of the tool element. In other constructions, the indicator may correspond to a property of the workpiece. In further constructions, the indicator may correspond to a type of workpiece material the tool element can perform work upon. In additional constructions, the indicator may indicate a depth into the workpiece that the tool element extends during operation. 
         [0009]    In some constructions, the tool element may be a reciprocating saw blade. In other constructions, the tool element may be a circular saw blade. In further embodiments, the tool element may be a drill bit. 
         [0010]    Also, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention provides a tool element for use with a power tool, which has a guide. The tool element generally includes a main body connectable to the power tool and an indicator positioned on the main body for indicating the position of the guide relative to the workpiece 
         [0011]    In some constructions, the indicator may correspond to a property of the workpiece. In other constructions, the indicator may correspond to a diameter of the work piece and the guide may be positionable at the indicator to position the guide relative to the workpiece and facilitate work to be performed on the workpiece by the tool element and the power tool. In further constructions, the indicator may correspond to a width of the workpiece and the guide may be positionable at the indicator to position the guide relative to the workpiece and facilitate work to be performed on the workpiece by the tool element and the power tool. In additional constructions, the indicator may correspond to a cutting depth into the work piece and the guide may be positionable at the indicator to position the guide relative to the workpiece and facilitate cutting of the workpiece to the cutting depth by the tool element and the power tool. 
         [0012]    In some constructions, the tool element may be a reciprocating saw blade and the power tool is a reciprocating saw. In other constructions, the tool element may be a circular saw blade and the power tool may be a circular saw. In further constructions, the tool element may be a drill bit and the power tool may be a drill. 
         [0013]    Further, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a tool element. The method includes providing the tool element and producing an indicator on the tool element for indicating the position of the tool element relative to a workpiece. 
         [0014]    In one construction, the invention provides a combination that includes a reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, and a movable saw shoe supported by the housing. A reciprocating saw blade includes a main body having a first end connectable to the reciprocating saw and a plurality of teeth extending along a length of an edge thereof. A center indicator is positioned on the main body to indicate a point at about the center of the length of the edge. A first indicator is positioned on the main body and spaced a first distance from the center indicator, the first distance corresponding to a size of a first workpiece. A second indicator is positioned on the main body and is spaced a second distance from the center indicator. The second distance is different than the first distance and corresponds to a size of a second workpiece. The saw shoe aligns with the first indicator to position the center indicator along a centerline of the first workpiece when the shoe abuts the first workpiece and the size of the first workpiece corresponds to the first distance. The saw shoe aligns with the second indicator to position the center indicator along a centerline of the second workpiece when the shoe abuts the second workpiece and the size of the second workpiece corresponds to the second distance. 
         [0015]    In another construction, the invention provides a reciprocating saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw. The reciprocating saw includes a saw shoe. The reciprocating saw blade includes a main body having a first end configured to connect to the reciprocating saw. The main body includes coarse teeth extending along a first portion of an edge and fine teeth extending along a second portion of the edge. A first indicator is positioned on the main body adjacent the coarse teeth at about the center of the first portion. The first indicator indicates the center of the saw blade. A second indicator is positioned on the main body, spaced a first distance from the first indicator, and positioned between the first indicator and the first end. The first distance corresponds to a size of a workpiece. The saw shoe is positionable adjacent the second indicator to abut the saw shoe against the workpiece and to position the first indicator along a centerline of the workpiece, the centerline being substantially perpendicular to the edge. 
         [0016]    In yet another construction, the invention provides a reciprocating saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw having a movable shoe. The saw blade includes a main body including a first end configured to attach to the reciprocating saw, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge. The main body includes a plurality of coarse teeth and a plurality of fine teeth defined in the first edge, the coarse teeth extending along a length in the first edge near a center of the main body and the fine teeth being defined in the first edge on both sides of the coarse teeth. A first indicator is positioned on the main body adjacent the first edge and substantially aligned with a center of the length to indicate the center of the coarse teeth and a plurality of second indicators is positioned on the main body adjacent the second edge. Each of the plurality of second indicators is spaced a different distance from the first indicator than any of the other of the plurality of second indicators. Each distance corresponds to a size of a workpiece. Each of the plurality of second indicators is positioned between the first indicator and the first end such that no indicators are positioned on the side of the first indicator opposite the first end. Alignment of the shoe with any one of the plurality of second indicators aligns the first indicator with a center of a workpiece having a size corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of second indicators. 
         [0017]    Independent features and independent advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a power tool, such as a reciprocating saw, including a saw blade embodying aspects of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the saw blade illustrated in  FIG. 1 , shown with a workpiece. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a first alternate construction of the saw blade illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a partial side view of a second alternate construction of the saw blade illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a partial side view of a third alternate construction of the saw blade illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a partial side view of a fourth alternate construction of the saw blade illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a partial side view of a fifth alternate construction of the saw blade illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a power tool, such as a circular saw, and a saw blade embodying aspects of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a partial side view of the saw blade illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a drill bit embodying aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the constructions and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates a power tool, such as an electric-powered reciprocating saw  20 , and a tool element, such as a reciprocating saw blade  24 , embodying aspects of the present invention. The electric-powered reciprocating saw  20  is similar to electric-powered reciprocating saws, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,212,781 and 6,249,979, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Although a power tool is described and illustrated, the tool element can be used with other types of tools that are not powered, such as manual hand saws, and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    The saw blade  24  and reciprocating saw  20  operate in combination to perform a reciprocating sawing operation. The reciprocating saw  20  reciprocates the saw blade  24  through a cutting stroke, from an extended position (to the left in  FIG. 1 ) to a retracted position (to the right in  FIG. 1 ), and through a return stroke from the retracted position to the extended position. In between the extended and retracted positions, the saw blade  24  is positioned in a mid-stroke position. 
         [0031]    The saw blade  24  includes a marking system for indicating to an operator the proper alignment of the saw blade  24  relative to a workpiece  28  for most efficient cutting in the reciprocating sawing operation. The saw blade  24  includes a workpiece indicator  32 , which is alignable with a portion of the workpiece  28 , such as the center  36 , and shoe position indicators  40 , which indicate selected positions of the workpiece guide, such as a reciprocating saw shoe  44 . The workpiece indicator  32  and the shoe position indicators  40  can correspond to properties of the workpiece  28 , such as, for example, the diameter of a circular workpiece  28 , the width of a workpiece  28 , the material of the workpiece  28 , and the cutting depth into the workpiece  28 , or correspond to properties of the saw blade  24 , such as, for example the coarseness or fineness of the teeth, the type of saw blade  24 , and the stroke length of the saw blade  24 . The indicators  32  and  40  may be stamped, punched, carved, painted or otherwise formed on the saw blade  24 . 
         [0032]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the saw blade  24  is configured to cut a hollow, cylindrical workpiece  28 , such as a pipe. To provide efficient cutting, the saw blade  24  also includes a central set of coarse teeth  48 , for cutting the thick cross-section  52  of the center  36  of the workpiece  28  at the start and end of the cutting operation, and two sets of fine teeth  56 , for cutting the outer thin cross-sections  60  of the workpiece  28 . Such a combination of sets of coarse teeth  48  and fine teeth  56  increase the cutting efficiency of saw blades for pipe cutting operations as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,383, which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, the saw blade illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,383 does not include any indications as to the proper positioning of the saw blade relative to the pipe to achieve the efficient cutting benefits of the saw blade design. 
         [0033]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the reciprocating saw shoe  44  is aligned with the selected shoe position indicator  40  corresponding to the diameter of the workpiece  28 . The coarse teeth  48  are defined substantially beneath and on both sides of the workpiece indicator  32 , and the indicator  32  is preferably aligned with the center  36  of the workpiece  28  when the saw blade  24  is in the mid-stroke position to start cutting. 
         [0034]    As the saw blade  24  is reciprocated, the set of coarse teeth  48  cut the thick-cross section  52 . The sets of fine teeth  56  are positioned on both sides of the coarse teeth  48  and cut respective outer thin cross-sections  60 . Finally, the set of coarse teeth  48  cuts the opposite thick cross-section  52  to complete cutting of the workpiece  28 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first alternate construction of the saw blade  24  is illustrated. With some exceptions (described in greater detail below), the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is similar to the saw blade  24  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . Accordingly, reference is made to the above discussion regarding the structure, operation, and alternatives of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , wherein like elements and features of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 3  have like reference numerals. 
         [0036]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the saw blade  24  is configured to cut a hollow, cylindrical workpiece  28 , such as a pipe, similar to the construction of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, the saw blade  24  includes coarse teeth  48  and two sets of fine teeth  56 . In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the saw blade  24  includes a coarse teeth indicator  64 , such as the letter “C”, substantially positioned over the center of the coarse teeth  48  and a plurality of fine teeth indicators  68 , such as the letter “F”, one of which is substantially positioned over the center of each set of fine teeth  56 . The coarse teeth indicator  64  is positionable over the thick cross-section  52  of the workpiece  28  and the fine teeth indicators  68  are positionable over the thin cross-sections  60  of the workpiece  28 . As the saw blade  24  is reciprocated, the workpiece  28  is cut in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the construction illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a second alternate construction of the saw blade  24  is illustrated. With some exceptions (described in greater detail below), the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is similar to the saw blades  24  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . Accordingly, reference is made to the above discussion regarding the structure, operation, and alternatives of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , wherein like elements and features of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 4  have like reference numerals. 
         [0038]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the saw blade  24  is configured to cut a hollow, cylindrical workpiece  28 , such as a pipe, similar to the saw blade  24  constructions illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 . Accordingly, the saw blade  24  includes coarse teeth  48  and two sets of fine teeth  56 . In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the saw blade  24  includes a coarse teeth indicator  64 , such as the word “COARSE”, substantially positioned over the center of the coarse teeth  48  and a plurality of fine teeth indicators  68 , such as the word “FINE”, one of which is substantially positioned over the center of each set of fine teeth  56 . The coarse teeth indicator  64  is positionable over the thick cross-section  52  of the workpiece  28  and the fine teeth indicators  68  are positionable over the thin cross-sections  60  of the workpiece  28 . As the saw blade  24  is reciprocated, the workpiece  28  is cut in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the construction illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a third alternate construction of the saw blade  24  is illustrated. With some exceptions (described in greater detail below), the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is similar to the saw blades  24  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . Accordingly, reference is made to the above discussion regarding the structure, operation, and alternatives of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wherein like elements and features of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 5  have like reference numerals. 
         [0040]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the saw blade  24  is configured to cut a hollow, cylindrical workpiece  28 , such as a pipe, similar to the saw blade  24  constructions illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 . Accordingly, the saw blade  24  includes coarse teeth  48  and two sets of fine teeth  56 . In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the saw blade  24  includes a coarse teeth indicator  64 , such as a plurality of substantially parallel vertical lines spaced a first distance from one another, substantially positioned over the center of the coarse teeth  48  and extending toward the ends of the set of coarse teeth  48 . The saw blade  24  also includes a plurality of fine teeth indicators  68 , such as a plurality of substantially parallel vertical lines spaced a second distance from one another. In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first distance is greater than the second distance. Each fine teeth indicator  68  is substantially positioned over the center of each set of fine teeth  56  and extends toward the ends of the sets of fine teeth  56 . The coarse teeth indicator  64  is positionable over the thick cross-section  52  of the workpiece  28  and the fine teeth indicators  68  are positionable over the thin cross-sections  60  of the workpiece  28 . As the saw blade  24  is reciprocated, the workpiece  28  is cut in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the construction illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0041]    It should be understood that the coarse teeth indicators  64  and the fine teeth indicators  68  can take other shapes and forms from those constructions described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . Accordingly, coarse teeth indicators  64  and fine teeth indicators  68  can take any shape or form to indicate the position of coarse teeth  48  and fine teeth  56 , respectively, and therefore, indicate the proper position of the saw blade  24  relative to the workpiece  28 . 
         [0042]    It should also be understood that the saw blade  24  and power tool, such as the reciprocating saw  20 , can be configured to cut other workpieces  28 , such as hollow square tubing and hollow rectangular tubing, having thick cross-sections and thin cross-sections for coarse teeth  48  and fine teeth  56  to cut respectively, or solid workpieces, such as solid pipes, solid boards, and solid rods. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a fourth alternate construction of the saw blade  24  is illustrated. With some exceptions (described in greater detail below), the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 6  is similar to the saw blades  24  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . Accordingly, reference is made to the above discussion regarding the structure, operation, and alternatives of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , wherein like elements and features of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 6  have like reference numerals. 
         [0044]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the saw blade  24  is configured to cut multiple types of workpieces  28  having multiple materials, such as wood, metal, and plastic. The saw blade  24  includes multiple types of teeth, such as coarse teeth  48  and fine teeth  56 , corresponding to the type of material to be cut by the teeth. The saw blade  24  can include any number of varying types of teeth to cut any number of varying types of material. In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the saw blade  24  includes a set of coarse teeth  48  for cutting workpieces  28  made of wood and a set of fine teeth  56  for cutting workpieces  28  made of metal. The saw blade  24  also includes a first material indicator  72 , such as the word “WOOD” and a substantially vertical downward pointing arrow, substantially positioned over the center of the coarse teeth  48  for indicating the teeth to be used when performing cutting operations on workpieces  28  made of wood, and a second material indicator  76 , such as the word “METAL” and a substantially vertical downward pointing arrow, substantially positioned over the center of the fine teeth  56  for indicating the teeth to be used when performing cutting operations on workpieces  28  made of metal. Accordingly, cutting operations are properly performed with increased efficiency by positioning the appropriate teeth of the saw blade  24 , via the material indicators  72 ,  76 , relative to the workpiece  28  to be cut. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a fifth alternate construction of the saw blade  24  is illustrated. With some exceptions (described in greater detail below), the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is similar to the saw blades  24  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . Accordingly, reference is made to the above discussion regarding the structure, operation, and alternatives of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , wherein like elements and features of the saw blade  24  illustrated in  FIG. 7  have like reference numerals. 
         [0046]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the saw blade  24  is configured to cut a variety of workpieces  28  and to position the saw blade  24  relative to the workpieces  28 . The saw blade  24  also includes a plurality of cutting depth indicators  80  to indicate a cutting depth of the saw blade  24 . The cutting depth indicators  80  are spaced from one another at any appropriate increment, such as by quarter inches, half inches, inches, or any other appropriate English or metric increments. In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the saw blade  24  includes three cutting depth increments, such as “1″”, “1½″”, and “2″”, spaced at half inch increments. 
         [0047]    The workpiece  28  can be cut at one of the desired depths in a variety of manners. An operator can position the desired cutting depth indicator  80  at an edge of a workpiece  28  with the portion of the saw blade  24  between the desired cutting depth indicator  80  and the tip of the saw blade  24  positioned over the workpiece  28 . The operator can then manually move the saw blade  24  through the workpiece  28  and manually maintain alignment of the desired cutting depth indicator  80  with the edge of the workpiece  28 . Alternatively, the shoe  44  of the reciprocating saw  20  can be aligned with the desired cutting depth indicator  80  and the shoe  44  can be pressed against the edge of the workpiece  28 . The operator can then move the saw blade  24  through the workpiece  28  while maintaining contact between the shoe  44  and the edge of the workpiece  28 . This ensures that the workpiece  28  is cut with a substantially uniform cutting depth throughout. 
         [0048]    It should be understood that the saw blade  24  described above with reference to  FIG. 7  can include any number of cutting depth indicators  80  and can have any increment of spacing between the cutting depth indicators  80 . Accordingly, the cutting depth indicators  80  and increments described above and illustrated in  FIG. 7  are for exemplary purposes only. 
         [0049]    It should also be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the indicators  32 ,  40 ,  64 ,  68 ,  72 ,  76 ,  80  may be used to indicate different properties, such as the proper cutting alignment of the saw blades  24  when the saw blades  24  are in the extended or retracted position. 
         [0050]    It should further be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the indicator  32 ,  40 ,  64 ,  68 ,  72 ,  76 ,  80  may be used to indicate different properties, such as, for example, the selected stroke length of the saw blades  24 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  illustrates a power tool, such as an electric-powered circular saw  84 , and a tool element, such as a circular saw blade  88 , embodying aspects of the present invention. The electric-powered circular saw  84  is similar to the electric-powered circular saw described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,789, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0052]    The saw blade  88  and circular saw  84  operate in combination to perform a circular sawing operation. The saw blade  88  includes a plurality of teeth defined in a perimeter thereof and is rotatable by the circular saw  84  to cut a workpiece  28  positioned underneath a guide or shoe  92  of the circular saw  84 . The circular saw  84  is advanced along a workpiece  28  and the shoe  92  slides along the top of the workpiece  28  to provide vertical support to the circular saw  84 . 
         [0053]    In the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the saw blade  88  includes a marking system for indicating to an operator the proper alignment of the saw blade  88  relative to the workpiece  28  for uniform cutting depth in the circular cutting operation. The saw blade  88  includes a plurality of cutting depth indicators  96  concentrically disposed around the saw blade  88  and incrementally spaced from one another. In the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the cutting depth indicators  96  are disposed on the saw blade  88  to facilitate a three-eighths inch cut and a half inch cut in a workpiece  28  and are incrementally spaced one-eighth of an inch from one another. 
         [0054]    To perform a cutting operation at a desired cutting depth, the saw blade  88  is positioned in the circular saw  84  so that the bottom surface (or surface that is engageable with the workpiece  28 ) of the shoe  92  is substantially tangential to the desired cutting depth indicator  96 . In other words, the desired cutting depth indicator  96  will not substantially extend below the bottom surface of the shoe  92  when the desired cutting depth indicator  96  and the shoe  92  are properly aligned. 
         [0055]    It should be understood that the saw blade  88  described above with reference to  FIGS. 8-9  can include any number of cutting depth indicators  96  and can have any increment of spacing between the cutting depth indicators  96 , including both English and metric increments. 
         [0056]    It should also be understood that the saw blade  88  described above with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9  can include other indicators that correspond to things other than cutting depth. These other indicators can correspond to properties of the workpiece  28 , such as, for example, the diameter of a circular workpiece  28 , the width of a workpiece  28 , and the material of the workpiece  28 , or correspond to properties of the saw blade  24 , such as, for example the coarseness or fineness of the teeth, the type of saw blade  24 , and the stroke length of the saw blade  24 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  illustrates a tool element, such as a drill bit  100 , embodying aspects of the present invention. The drill bit  100  is operable in combination with a drill, such as a manual drill and an electric-powered drill (not shown), such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,102,633, 4,682,918 and 4,229,981, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The drill includes a chuck  104  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 10 ), which is operable to connect the drill bit  100  to the drill. 
         [0058]    The drill bit  100  and drill operate in combination to perform a boring or drilling operation. The drill rotates the drill bit  100  to cut or bore a hole in a workpiece  28  and is advanced to bore deeper into the workpiece  28  by applying a force on the drill in the desired advancing direction. 
         [0059]    In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the drill bit  100  includes a marking system for indicating to an operator the proper alignment of the drill bit  100  relative to the workpiece  28  and the drill. The marking system also assists in producing uniform bore depths during drilling operations. The drill bit  100  includes a plurality of boring depth indicators  108  incrementally spaced from one another. In the construction illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the boring depth indicators  108  are disposed on the drill bit  100  to facilitate a one inch bore and a two inch bore in a workpiece  28  and are incrementally spaced one inch from one another. 
         [0060]    To perform a boring operation at a desired boring depth, the drill bit  100  is connected to the chuck  104  by inserting the drill bit  100  into the chuck  104  until the desired boring depth indicator  108  is aligned with the outermost surface of the chuck  104  (as shown in phantom in  FIG. 10 ). The chuck  104  is then tightened around the drill bit  100  to secure the drill bit  100  to the drill. Alternatively, the drill can include a depth locator or other device (not shown) surrounding the drill bit  100  and extending toward the tip of the drill bit  100 . The depth locator is aligned with the desired boring depth indicator  108  rather than the chuck  104 . The drill bit  100  is biased against a workpiece  28  and appropriately bores into the workpiece  28  until the outermost surface of the chuck  104  or the depth locator engages the workpiece  28 . Upon engagement between the chuck  104  or depth locator and the workpiece  28 , a bore is bored into the workpiece  28  by the drill bit  100  to the desired boring depth. An operator can alternatively visually inspect the boring operation and terminate the boring operation when the desired boring depth indicator  108  is flush with the surface of the workpiece  28 . 
         [0061]    It should be understood that the drill bit  100  described above with reference to  FIG. 10  can include any number of boring depth indicators  108  and can have any increment of spacing between the boring depth indicators  108 , including both English and metric increments. 
         [0062]    It should also be understood that the drill bit  100  described above with reference to  FIG. 10  can include other indicators that correspond to things other than boring depth. These other indicators can correspond to properties of the workpiece  28 , such as, for example, the diameter of a circular workpiece  28 , the width of a workpiece  28 , and the material of the workpiece  28 , or correspond to properties of the drill bit  100 , such as, for example the size of the drill bit  100  and the type of drill bit  100 . 
         [0063]    In addition, it should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), additional indicators (not shown) may be provided to indicate different conditions as necessary for a given operation, whether the operation be cutting, drilling, or any other operation performed by a power tool. 
         [0064]    Although particular constructions of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternate constructions will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims.