How to replace a table saw drive motor

This DIY repair guide explains how to replace the drive motor on a table saw. The drive motor drives the arbor shaft that turns the saw blade. If the motor wears out or locks up, the motor could run weakly or won't start at all. Replace the drive motor with the manufacturer-approved replacement part.

This procedure works for Craftsman, Companion, Tradesman and Mastercraft table saws.

Instructions

1. Shut off the electricity

Unplug the table saw’s power cord from the wall outlet.

Wear work gloves to protect your hands.

2. Remove the blade guard

Raise the blade to its highest cutting position.

Push the red button on the blade guard and lift off the blade guard assembly.

2. Remove the table insert

Pry out the table insert by inserting a slot screwdriver into the large hole in the table insert.

4. Remove the riving knife and anti-kickback pawl

Loosen the blade tilt-locking knob.

Tilt the saw blade to a 45-degree angle and tighten the blade tilt-locking knob.

Remove the riving knife locking knob and washer.

Remove the riving knife, mounting plate and the anti-kickback pawl.

5. Remove the saw blade

Loosen the blade-tilt locking knob and tilt the blade to a 90-degree angle.

Use the 2 wrenches supplied with the table saw to loosen the blade arbor nut.

Remove the arbor nut, outer flange washer and saw blade from the arbor.

6. Remove the table saw support stand

Flip the table saw upside down onto a surfaced protected with cardboard or other padding.

Release the 4 table locking levers that secure the table saw to the support stand and remove the table saw support stand.

7. Remove the drive motor

Release the 3 green ground wires from the ground wire bracket.

Remove the On/Off switch cover mounting screws and pull off the On/Off switch cover.

Using a wire cutter, cut the white wire at the base of the wire crimp.

Pull the black drive motor wire off the reset switch.

Using pliers, squeeze the sides of the strain relief on the motor wire cord attached to the On/Off switch box cover and pull out the strain relief.

Pull the motor wires out of the On/Off switch box cover.

Rotate the hand wheel to lower the motor to the lowest position.

Remove the 4 motor mounting bolts and brackets.

Pull out the motor.

8. Install the new motor

Position the new motor in the saw.

Reinstall the 4 motor mounting bolts and brackets.

Push the motor wires into the On/Off switch box cover and reinstall the strain relief.

Connect the black motor wire to the reset switch.

Use the wire strippers to strip 1/4-inch of insulation from the white wire ends and then use a wire nut to connect the white wire ends.

Reinstall the On/Off switch cover, using the mounting screws.

Reconnect the 3 green ground wires to the ground wire bracket, using the mounting screws.

9. Reinstall the table saw support stand

Position the support stand on the saw base and lock the levers to secure the stand to the saw base.

Flip the table saw upright.

10. Reinstall the saw blade

Rotate the hand wheel to raise the motor to the highest position.

Position the blade on the arbor and reinstall the flange washer and arbor nut.

Firmly tighten the arbor nut.

11. Reinstall the riving knife and the anti-kickback pawl

Loosen the blade-tilt locking knob.

Tilt the blade to 45 degrees and tighten the blade tilt locking knob.

Reinstall the riving knife and anti-kickback pawl.

Reinstall the mounting plate.

Reinstall the washer and riving knife locking knob.

Firmly tighten the riving knife locking knob.

12. Reinstall the table insert

Push the table insert back into the top of the table.

13. Reinstall the blade guard

Loosen the blade-tilt locking knob, tilt the blade to 90 degrees and then retighten the blade tilt locking knob.

Push the red release button on the blade guard, reinstall the blade guard assembly on the riving knife and then release the red button.

14. Restore power

Plug the table saw into the electrical outlet.