Stop mechanism for a table saw and method of using the same

A power saw assembly, comprising:

• a blade defining a plane;
• a table having a support surface and a periphery that bounds the support surface, the support surface having an opening configured to receive the blade;
• a guide structure fixed on a portion of the periphery of the table, the guide structure defining a slide axis that extends parallel to the support surface and is oriented perpendicular to the;
• a fence assembly configured to be releasably connected to the guide structure, the fence assembly having a body that traverses the support surface and is movably guided via the guide structure along the slide axis so as to define a contact zone;
• and
• a stop mechanism configured to selectively block a movement of the fence assembly within the contact zone, the stop mechanism having a base member and a blocking member connected to the base member,
• wherein the base member is configured to be connected to the guide structure in (i) an unlocked state in which the base member is infinitely adjustably relative to the guide structure along the slide axis and (ii) a locked state in which the base member is fixed relative to the guide structure, the base member disposed outside of the contact zone in both the unlocked state and the locked state, and
• wherein, when the base member is in the locked state at a fixed position, the blocking member is moveable relative to the base member between (i) a blocking position in which a portion of the blocking member is positioned within the contact zone such that the blocking member is configured to block the fence assembly and (ii) a bypass position in which the blocking member is positioned outside of the contact zone such that no portion of the stop mechanism is configured to block the fence assembly over the total range of travel of the fence assembly on the table.