You have an awesome Craftsman 113 table saw. It works but bogs down when cutting. Time to upgrade that old stock motor. Whether you have the regular saw or the “3HP” Contractor Saw, you will be glad to make this change.
You picked up one of these cast iron beasts for a song on Craigslist or some secondhand store. You have it restored and the fence is once again true. A new motor will potentially add more power, not need to be rebuilt/repaired, and should bolt right on to the saw.
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Now, if the motor is running fine, before you shell out several hundred for a new replacement, you might want to try a thin kerf blade. That may be all you need. But if even that is getting bogged down, the motor is the way to go.
- HP: 2, RPM: 3450, Frame: 56C, Phase: 1
- Voltage: 115/230; Service Factor: 1.15
- Full Load Amp: 18.0/9.0; Hertz : 60;
- Efficiency: 76.0%; Enclosure: Totally Enclosed
- Overload: None; Rotation: Reversible; Shaft Size: 5/8″
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Motor Descriptions and Weakness
If you are curious about the stock motors, let’s look at the “3HP” Contractor Saw. I remember that saw from when I was a kid. We had a contractor working on my mom’s house and he used this saw. I thought he was amazing and was excited by the work he was doing. I am happy I wound up with one of these beauties.
But have you noticed how I put the “3HP” in quotes? That’s not an accident. The “3HP” is a marketing gimmick. It may say “3HP”, but that is only for the initial startup. It is not a constant 3 horsepower. Take a look at the label on the motor. Label don’t lie. The continuous horsepower rating for the contractor version is 1.5 horsepower. Not 3.
It is even worse for the homeowner version. While they are still cast iron awesome, they are only rated for 1 horsepower continuously. Boo.
Don’t get me wrong, the contractor version of the saw definitely has a more powerful motor than the homeowner version. But it is a far cry from the “3HP” they were trying to sell you back then. What I’m looking to get is a legitimate 2 horsepower motor. That is a good amount of continuous power and the power draw is low enough that you can wire it for 110v. I don’t have a 240v supply in the Project Cave.
Motor RPM
A table saw blade generally spins at about 3,450 RPM. That speed can be changed with different pulley sizes, but your best bet is to get a motor that also spins at 3,450 RPM and use a pulley ratio of 1:1. Then you don’t have to start worrying about changes in torque or any other quirks that may happen with a slower or faster motor.
NEMA Size 56
NEMA stands for the National Electrical Manufacturer Association. The organization was founded about a century ago and they helped to standardize many things used in industry today. One of those is mounting points on the frame or chassis a motor is built on.
These old Craftsman table saws use a motor that conforms to NEMA standards. If you select a NEMA 56 motor, it should bolt right onto the motor hanger. Now in some cases, the motor may be larger than the original and may interfere with the tilting of the blade. Be aware.
Compressor Duty vs TEFC/Continuous/Farm Duty
Another choice you will confront about the motor is compressor duty vs continuous or farm duty. One is cheaper. By a lot. That is the compressor duty. There are quite a few people that have success using these motors. But they are not sealed and will require more maintenance. Like blowing the sawdust out of the motor with a compressor a few times per year. Even then, motor failure can still happen.
Compressor duty motors are also not recommended for table saws in busy shops that have machinery running many hours each day. I would only use this type of motor on a table saw in a pinch. They do much better in things like jointers and planers. If you do opt for one for a table saw, make sure you get the proper rotation. You can’t always rewire these motors to change the rotation.
The TEFC (Totally Enclosed, Fan Cooled) motor is a more expensive option. But you don’t have to worry about material getting into the motor enclosure and potentially causing the motor to eventually fail. This kind of motor is recommended for table saws that are constantly running. These motors will better handle that kind of dust output.
They are sometimes labeled “farm duty” or “continuous duty” motors. But in all cases, make sure the RPMs of the motor will provide the proper RPMs for the saw blade. 3,450 RPM is the goal you are looking to achieve.
Both kinds of motors can most likely be wired for 120v or 240v.
Ultimate Selection
Now that you know what size motor, which one do you select? I’ve narrowed it down to three 2HP motors. And when I say 2HP, I mean an actual 2 horsepower, not just the start up power.
My top choice would be this Grizzly motor. It is a NEMA 56 and fully enclosed TEFC motor. Just what a busy table saw might demand. The price is such that some might keep saving and get a new saw. But I really love my Craftsman. I have read about many people that have put this motor on their saws and they work great. It is my first choice. Click here to find it at Amazon.
I also came across this motor that is well rated, although there are not very many ratings available. It is a TEFC motor and the positive reviews are pretty positive. This may be the best compromise between Grizzly TEFC motors and compressor duty motors. As a home gamer, I think this will be the motor I wind up with. Get it at Amazon by clicking here.
The compressor duty option. Like I said, these will work and have done well for some people. However, they may not last very long in a table saw because they are vented open and will allow dust from the material you are cutting to get in there. I have no table saw recommendations for this type of motor.
You have an awesome saw that you restored and are ready to put to work. A little extra power is going to go a long way in your workshop.
- HP: 2, RPM: 3450, Frame: 56C, Phase: 1
- Voltage: 115/230; Service Factor: 1.15
- Full Load Amp: 18.0/9.0; Hertz : 60;
- Efficiency: 76.0%; Enclosure: Totally Enclosed
- Overload: None; Rotation: Reversible; Shaft Size: 5/8″
Check out the cross cut sled I built for my Craftsman Contractor saw!
All material presented here is my opinion and for entertainment purposes only. As always, make sure you follow all safety precautions. If you are unsure about anything mentioned here, contact a professional. Any project or technique you attempt is done at your own risk. I make no warranty about the accuracy or validity of this material.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
