Proximity sensor for stationary power tools

A power miter saw comprising:

• a saw base having a fence for positioning a work piece;
• a table rotatably connected to said saw base, said table having a table surface;
• a miter arm assembly for angularly positioning said table relative to said saw base;
• a saw blade and motor assembly pivotally connected to lower a saw blade toward said table into position to cut a work piece;
• a handle connected to said saw blade and motor assembly for lowering said saw blade into cutting position;
• an activation switch for activating said saw blade and motor assembly adjacent said handle and positioned to be engaged by an operator;
• a proximity sensor disposed on said saw blade and motor assembly for detecting the presence of objects within a zone of detection associated with said table, said zone of detection extending in an angular arc generally from said handle downwardly into free space above and in front of said table a maximum distance of a few feet;
• electrical circuitry connected to said proximity sensor configured to generate an electrical detection signal in response to said proximity sensor detecting the presence of an object within said zone of detection;
• and
• a light connected to said saw blade and motor assembly and configured to direct light onto said table for providing general illumination of said table surface so that a work piece is illuminated and is more visible to an operator in response to said detection signal being generated and a laser for generating at least one thin visible line that is generally coincident with at least a part of a cut line made in a work piece by the blade.