A method for making a core for one of a rotor and a stator for use in an electric motor, the core being formed from a plurality of laminations, includes forming a predetermined number of through-material slots in a first portion of a material stock, forming at least one angled interlocking projection in the material stock, the projection having a circumferential length and being formed so that at least a portion of the projection remains integral with the material stock, cutting the material stock to define a receiving opening corresponding to the interlocking projection, the receiving opening positioned relative to the projection at an angle &phgr; that is a whole number multiple of &bgr;, where &bgr; is an angle defined as a ratio of 360 degrees to the number of slots and cutting the material stock to form a first substantially circular lamination. Second and third laminations are formed in kind. The second lamination is rotated relative to the first lamination and positioned on the first lamination such that the projection from the first lamination engages the receiving opening in the second lamination. The third lamination is positioned on and rotated relative to the second lamination in kind to form the core.