Compound miter saw

A compound miter saw, comprising:

• (a) a base;
• (b) a turntable rotatably supported by the base;
• (c) a fence disposed above the base for supporting the orientation of a workpiece located on the base;
• (d) a support coupled to the turntable at a rear portion of the turntable;
• (e) cuttinghead means for cutting the workpiece, the cuttinghead means comprising a pivoting system coupled to the support for pivoting a motor driven saw between a raised, rest position and a lowered, operational position;
• and
• (f) beveling means for positioning the cuttinghead means so that it can be selectively positioned for cutting the workpiece not only perpendicular to the table but also with a bevel of up to at least 45 degrees from perpendicular, the beveling means comprising:
• (i) a male conical taper structure comprising an outer surface defining a cone-shaped member, the cone-shaped member being coupled to the support;
• (ii) a female conical taper structure defining a cavity having a conically-shaped inner wall, the conically-shaped inner wall having a configuration substantially matching the outer conical surface shape of the cone-shaped member, the female conical taper structure being coupled to the cuttinghead means;
• and
• (iii) biasing means for permitting a user to adjustably bias the conically-shaped inner wall of the female conical taper structure onto the outer conical surface of the cone-shaped member in order to lock the two taper structures together, the biasing means comprising unlocking means for moving the female conical taper structure away from the outer conical surface of the cone shaped member in order to permit the conically-shaped inner wall to rotate on the outer conical surface of the cone-shaped member and, therefore, permit the user to adjust the bevel of the cuttinghead means.