A handheld power tool comprising: an elongated housing having a grip portion that is shaped to be grasped by a user; a brushless electric motor residing in the elongated housing and having a drive shaft; an end tool; an output shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the output shaft being connected to the drive shaft of the brushless electric motor and the second end of the output shaft being connected to the end tool to impart motion to the end tool when the brushless electric motor rotates; a fan driven by the brushless electric motor for circulating air through the elongated housing when the brushless electric motor is operating; and a circuit board residing in the elongated housing and having a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing, the circuit board having thereon a rectifier configured to receive power from an alternating current power source and operable to convert an alternating current to a direct current, a switching arrangement having a plurality of motor switches connected electrically between the rectifier and the brushless electric motor and operating to deliver the direct current from the rectifier to the brushless electric motor, a capacitor connected electrically between the rectifier and the switching arrangement, wherein the capacitor is coupled in parallel across the rectifier, a driver circuit interfaced with the motor switches and operable to control switching operation of the motor switches, a controller interfaced with the driver circuit and operable to provide pulse width modulated signals to the driver circuit for driving the brushless electric motor, and a power switch connected electrically between the rectifier and the driver circuit and operable by a tool operator to selectively energize the driver circuit and thereby power on the end tool; characterized in that the power switch is interposed between the rectifier and the driver circuit. an elongated housing having a grip portion that is shaped to be grasped by a user; a brushless electric motor residing in the elongated housing and having a drive shaft; an end tool; an output shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the output shaft being connected to the drive shaft of the brushless electric motor and the second end of the output shaft being connected to the end tool to impart motion to the end tool when the brushless electric motor rotates; a fan driven by the brushless electric motor for circulating air through the elongated housing when the brushless electric motor is operating; and a circuit board residing in the elongated housing and having a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing, the circuit board having thereon a rectifier configured to receive power from an alternating current power source and operable to convert an alternating current to a direct current, a switching arrangement having a plurality of motor switches connected electrically between the rectifier and the brushless electric motor and operating to deliver the direct current from the rectifier to the brushless electric motor, a capacitor connected electrically between the rectifier and the switching arrangement, wherein the capacitor is coupled in parallel across the rectifier, a driver circuit interfaced with the motor switches and operable to control switching operation of the motor switches, a controller interfaced with the driver circuit and operable to provide pulse width modulated signals to the driver circuit for driving the brushless electric motor, and a power switch connected electrically between the rectifier and the driver circuit and operable by a tool operator to selectively energize the driver circuit and thereby power on the end tool; characterized in that the power switch is interposed between the rectifier and the driver circuit.