Adjustable reciprocating saw

A power tool comprising:

• a stationary housing portion;
• a movable housing portion mounted to the stationary housing portion for rotation about an axis of rotation;
• one of the stationary housing portion or the movable housing portion having a radial flange centered on the axis of rotation and extending at least part way around the axis of rotation;
• the other of the stationary housing portion or the movable housing portion having one or more locking pieces detachably mounted thereon, the one or more locking pieces each engaging the flange thereby blocking relative axial movement of the stationary housing portion away from the movable housing portion while permitting relative rotational movement of the stationary housing portion and the movable housing portion;
• and
• wherein when the one or more locking pieces are detached from the other of the stationary housing portion or the movable housing portion, the stationary housing portion and the movable housing portion can be disassembled from one another.

A power tool comprising:

• a stationary housing portion;
• a movable housing portion mounted to the stationary housing portion for rotation about an axis of rotation;
• a locking system for preventing rotation of the movable housing portion relative to the stationary housing portion comprising:
• a plurality of angularly spaced detents radially formed at least part way around the axis of rotation on one of the stationary housing portion or the movable housing portion;
• a locking mechanism mounted to the other of the stationary housing portion or the movable housing portion to be movable between first and second positions wherein when in the first position, the locking mechanism engages one of the detents, and in a second position, the locking mechanism bypasses at least one of the detents allowing relative rotation between the stationary housing portion and the movable housing portion;
• and
• wherein the locking mechanism can be actuated to move from its first position to its second position by the user's hand without the use of any tools.

A saw comprising:

• a reciprocating mechanism for producing a reciprocating motion;
• a reciprocating shaft assembly having a reciprocating motion driven by the reciprocating mechanism, the reciprocating shaft assembly comprising:
• a reciprocating shaft having a blade holder proximate a first end and a first flange integrally formed with the reciprocating shaft proximate a second end opposite the first end;
• and
• a second flange selectively detachably mounted to the second end of the reciprocating shaft;
• wherein a portion of the reciprocating mechanism alternately pushes against the first and second flanges while the reciprocating mechanism is driving the reciprocating shaft assembly, and the first and second flanges cooperate to trap therebetween the portion of the reciprocating mechanism.

A saw comprising:

• a reciprocating shaft having a reciprocating motion, the reciprocating shaft comprising a blade holder on one end thereof;
• a reciprocating mechanism driving the reciprocating shaft in its reciprocating motion;
• the reciprocating mechanism comprising a yoke;
• one of the reciprocating shaft or the yoke having both a first locking flange integrally formed therewith and a second locking flange selectively detachably mounted thereto;
• and
• wherein the first locking flange and the second locking flange alternately engage a portion of the other of the reciprocating shaft or the yoke to transfer a force therebetween thereby driving the reciprocating shaft in its reciprocating motion, and the first and second locking flanges cooperate to trap therebetween the portion of the other of the reciprocating shaft or the yoke.

A saw comprising:

• a first housing portion having a handle portion with a trigger switch for actuating the saw;
• a second housing portion mounted to the first housing portion;
• a reciprocating shaft extending from the second housing portion, the reciprocating shaft having a blade holder with a saw blade mounted thereon, and the reciprocating shaft having a reciprocating motion defining a reciprocating motion axis, wherein
• the saw blade is rotatable relative to the first housing portion about a first rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the reciprocating motion axis;
• and
• the saw blade is continuously rotatable relative to the first housing portion about a second rotational axis substantially parallel with the reciprocating motion axis.

A reciprocating saw comprising:

• a first housing having a handle portion and a motor portion for mounting a rotary electric motor;
• a second housing rotationally mounted to the first housing;
• a third housing rotationally mounted to the second housing;
• a reciprocating shaft extending out from the third housing, the reciprocating shaft having a reciprocating motion defining a reciprocating motion axis;
• wherein
• the second housing is rotationally mounted to the first housing about a first axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the reciprocating motion axis;
• and
• the third housing is rotationally mounted to the second housing about a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the reciprocating motion axis.

A saw comprising:

• a first housing portion having a handle portion with a trigger switch for actuating the saw;
• a second housing portion rotationally mounted to the first housing portion;
• a reciprocating shaft extending from the second housing portion, the reciprocating shaft having a blade holder with a saw blade mounted thereon, and the reciprocating shaft having a reciprocating motion defining a reciprocating motion axis, wherein
• the saw blade is rotatable relative to the first housing portion about a rotational axis generally perpendicular to the reciprocating motion axis when a release mechanism mounted on one of the first or second housing portions is depressed by a user's hand without the aid of any tool.