Tool drive assembly with integrated lead drive shaft

A drive assembly for a portable, hand-held tool, the drive assembly comprising:

• a drive assembly housing;
• a lead drive shaft having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion and an intermediate portion between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the proximal end portion is positioned within the drive assembly housing and interacts with a gear assembly positioned within the drive assembly housing, the gear assembly being configured to translate high speed low torque rotation to lower speed higher torque rotation of the lead drive shaft, the distal end portion being threaded and substantially outside the drive assembly housing, and the intermediate portion has a smooth exterior surface;
• a bearing system associated with at least the intermediate portion of the lead drive shaft such that when the lead drive shaft rotates during an operation of the tool, the lead drive shaft withstands:
• radial loads applied to the lead drive shaft;
• and
• axial loads applied to the lead drive shaft in the direction of the distal end portion of the lead drive shaft;
• and
• axial loads applied to the lead drive shaft in the direction of the proximal end portion of the lead drive shaft.

A drive assembly for a portable, hand-held tool, the drive assembly comprising:

• a drive assembly housing;
• a gear assembly positioned within the drive assembly housing;
• a lead drive shaft having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion and an intermediate portion between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the proximal end portion is positioned within the drive assembly housing and interacts with the gear assembly, the distal end portion is threaded and is substantially outside the drive assembly housing, and the intermediate portion is positioned at least partially within the drive assembly housing and has a smooth exterior surface;
• and
• a bearing system that is interactive with at least the intermediate portion of the lead drive shaft enabling the lead drive shaft to withstand radial and axial loads as the lead drive shaft is rotated during operation of the tool.