Systems and methods for configuring a reciprocating saw

A hand-held power tool configured to implement a cut-stop feature, the hand-held power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor within the housing;
• a drive device configured to be driven by the motor to perform a cutting task;
• a blade holder coupled to the drive device;
• a sensor configured to monitor a motor current;
• a mode selection switch located on the housing and configured to be actuated by a user to enable the cut-stop feature;
• an electronic processor located within the housing of the hand-held power tool and coupled to the sensor and to the mode selection switch, wherein the electronic processor is configured to:
• determine that the mode selection switch has been actuated to enable the cut-stop feature, and
• enable the cut-stop feature of the hand-held power tool in response to determining that the mode selection switch has been actuated to enable the cut-stop feature, wherein during implementation of the cut-stop feature the electronic processor is configured to:
• start driving the motor in response to determining that a trigger of the hand-held power tool has been depressed,
• determine that an item is being cut based on the motor current exceeding a cutting threshold,
• determine that the item is no longer being cut based on the motor current decreasing below the cutting threshold, and
• cease, in response to determining that the item is no longer being cut based on the motor current decreasing below the cutting threshold, driving the motor for avoiding cutting of another object proximate the hand-held power tool.

A method of controlling a hand-held power tool to implement a cut-stop feature, the method comprising:

• determining, with an electronic processor of the hand-held power tool, that a mode selection switch of the hand-held power tool has been actuated to enable the cut-stop feature, wherein the hand-held power tool includes:
• a housing,
• a motor within the housing,
• a drive device configured to be driven by the motor to perform a cutting task,
• a blade holder coupled to the drive device, and
• a sensor configured to monitor a motor current;
• and
• enabling, with the electronic processor, the cut-stop feature of the hand-held power tool in response to determining that the mode selection switch has been actuated to enable the cut-stop feature, wherein implementing the cut-stop feature includes:
• controlling, with the electronic processor, the motor to start driving in response to determining that a trigger of the hand-held power tool has been depressed,
• determining, with the electronic processor, that an item is being cut based on the motor current exceeding a cutting threshold,
• determining, with the electronic processor, that the item is no longer being cut based on the motor current decreasing below the cutting threshold, and
• controlling, with the electronic processor and in response to determining that the item is no longer being cut based on the motor current decreasing below the cutting threshold, the motor to cease driving for avoiding cutting of another object proximate the hand-held power tool.