Work piece guiding system for a table saw

An apparatus for coupling a mounting plate component of a cutter guard assembly to a machine tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a work table having an upper surface, the work table being coupled to the base;
• a cutter mounting system configured for mounting and adjustably locating a cutter substantially in a variable-angle cutting plane angularly-adjustable over a range of angular positions, including perpendicular to the work table upper surface, in both a cutting position in which the cutter protrudes above the work table upper surface and in a receded position in which the cutter is receded below the work table upper surface;
• an anchor block that is coupled to the cutter mounting system, the anchor block having portions that define a slot for receiving a cutter guard mounting plate;
• a spring plate that is coupled to the anchor block, the spring plate being configured so that portions of the spring plate are biased toward the mounting;
• and
• a catch that is coupled to the spring plate, the catch being biased by the spring plate and being configured for engaging and disengaging the mounting plate.

A table saw, comprising:

• a base;
• a work table having an upper surface, the work table being coupled to the base;
• a cutter mounting system configured for mounting and adjustably locating a cutter substantially in a variable-angle cutting plane angularly-adjustable over a range of angular positions, including perpendicular to the work table upper surface, in both a cutting position in which the cutter protrudes above the work table upper surface and in a receded position in which the cutter is receded below the work table upper surface;
• an anchor block that is coupled to the cutter mounting system, the anchor block having portions that define a slot for receiving a cutter guard mounting plate;
• a spring plate that is coupled to the anchor block, the spring plate being configured so that portions of the spring plate are biased toward the mounting plate;
• and
• a catch that is coupled to the spring plate, the catch being biased by the spring plate and being configured for engaging and disengaging the mounting plate.