Thread: got my motor.....but.......... - Family Woodworking

...I always thought single phase meant 110/120 V. Apparently not. This motor is 240V...

Yeppers, as you've discovered, the single phase/3 phase denotation has nothing to do with the voltage. I won't try to explain the difference (you and elektriks, and all that), but suffice to say that most home shops are only using single phase power.

I'm with Bart, though. That saw may not be beefy enough to handle a 3 HP motor. Also, putting together a 240v switch will likely be kind of costly. Lastly, making an extension cord out of Romex is flirting with disaster. Not saying I've never done the same thing, but it's not a good idea. The wire inside is not meant to be bent repeatedly (as will happen with an extension cord). It's meant to be bent once as it's built into a wall, then left alone. You'll be running a risk of a broken wire, short, or fire.

Harbor Freight has a good return policy (which I believe also applies to their motors). My suggestion would be for the friend to take it back next time he goes there.

Source: http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?28187-got-my-motor-but

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