Patent ID: 8176823

Claim:
A miter saw comprising: a base including a support surface; a bevel arm pivotably connected to the base, the bevel arm configured to rotate about a first axis that is substantially parallel to the support surface; a cutting arm with a blade positioned on the cutting arm, the cutting arm pivotably connected to the bevel arm and configured to rotate about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a locking surface connected to the base; a clamping surface moveably connected to the bevel arm and configured to engage the locking surface; and an actuator, including a clamp arm pivotably connected to the bevel arm and configured to rotate about a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, with the clamping surface connected to the clamp arm, the actuator further comprises a cam member engaging the clamp arm pivotally connected to the bevel arm and configured to rotate about a fourth axis, wherein rotation of the cam member causes the clamp arm to pivot about the third axis such that the actuator moves between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the actuator is configured to force the clamping surface against the locking surface when in the locked position and is configured to release the clamping surface from the locking surface when in the unlocked position.