On Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 5:46:31 PM UTC-8, DerbyDad03 wrote:
I have a 70's era Craftsman contractors saw. 113.298031

Why not just cut a piece out of the sheet metal housing and do it all
from the side of the saw? As far as I can tell, that would give me direct
access to the 3 arbor bearing retainer screws.

Removing the assembly is two knobs and a dozen screws; it too gives
full access, including to parts you won't get to through a hole.
That seems to me quicker than making a hole, and neater.