Chop saw

A chop saw comprising:

• a base assembly;
• a saw assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly for movement between an upper position and a lower position, the saw assembly including a motor, a blade driven by the motor, an upper blade guard covering an upper part of the blade;
• and
• a laser assembly disposed on the saw assembly, wherein the laser assembly comprises a housing attached to the saw assembly, a laser diode supported by the housing for emitting a laser beam along a first path, and a line lens disposed in the first path for converting the laser beam into a laser plane projected towards the base assembly, the laser plane being wider than the blade.

A method for installing a light assembly on a chop saw, comprising:

• providing a chop saw having a base assembly, a saw assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly for movement between an upper position and a lower position, the saw assembly including a motor, a blade driven by the motor, an upper blade guard covering an upper part of the blade, and a handle for pivoting the saw assembly between the upper and lower positions;
• connecting a power supply to a connector disposed within the handle;
• disposing the power supply on the handle;
• connecting the light assembly to a connector disposed on the upper blade guard;
• and
• disposing the light assembly on the upper blade guard.