Reciprocating saw
A reciprocating saw includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, and a shoe coupled to the housing. The shoe is configured to engage a workpiece. The reciprocating saw also includes a proximity sensor configured to detect the workpiece when engaged with the shoe. In response to the proximity sensor detecting formation of a gap between the shoe and the workpiece, the proximity sensor is operable to deactivate the motor.
1. A reciprocating saw comprising:
a housing;
a motor positioned within the housing and configured to drive a reciprocating saw blade;
a shoe movable relative to the housing between a retracted position, in which the shoe is configured to engage a workpiece, and an extended position in which a gap is defined between the shoe and the workpiece; and
a workpiece detection system configured to detect movement of the shoe from the retracted position to the extended position;
wherein, in response to the shoe moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the workpiece detection system is operable to deactivate the motor.
2. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , further comprising a spring biasing the shoe toward the extended position.
3. The reciprocating saw of claim 2 , wherein the workpiece detection system includes a switch operable to deactivate the motor in response to being actuated by movement of the shoe from the retracted position to the extended position.
4. The reciprocating saw of claim 3 , wherein a force input is removed from the switch in response to movement of the shoe from the retracted position to the extended position.
5. The reciprocating saw of claim 4 , further comprising a controller in communication with the switch, wherein, in response to the force input being removed from the switch, the controller determines a gap has formed between the shoe and the workpiece.
6. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , wherein the workpiece detection system includes
a magnet coupled for movement with the shoe between the retracted position and the extended position, and
a Hall-effect sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect the magnet.
7. The reciprocating saw of claim 6 , wherein, in response to the Hall-effect sensor detecting the magnet in the extended position, the Hall-effect sensor is operable to deactivate the motor.
8. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , further comprising a trigger configured to activate and deactivate the motor.
9. The reciprocating saw of claim 8 , wherein the workpiece detection system is operable to deactivate the motor, while the trigger is actuated, if the shoe is detected in the extended position.