On Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:49:52 -0700 (PDT), Ivan Vegvary
wrote:

Still working on cobbling together the best of four Craftsmen table saws. Biggest motor I have is an old (heavy) 3 hp outboard motor on one of the saws. I can wire it either for 220v or 110v. The only difference I see is that I could possibly put a smaller gauge wire into my conduit if I run 220v. I have both wire (10 & 12 awg) and 20 or 30 amp breakers. I should obviously run the heavier wire with a 30 amp breaker for future loads.

Question: Does the motor care? Is there a preference?

240v is the way to go. Quicker startup, better torque. If you move to
a 5hp beastie in the future, you'll thank yourself for using the
larger gauge wiring now, but I doubt a 3hp motor would feel it.

Using the 10ga/30a is a no brainer.

--
Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself.
-- Thomas Jefferson