A method for forming an armature for an electric motor includes securing a lamination stack having slots therein on an armature shaft. A commutator is secured on one end of the armature shaft. Magnet wires are wound in the slots in the lamination stack and ends of the magnet wires are secured to the commutator. Plastic is molded around the lamination stack, commutator and magnet wires. Excess plastic is machined off. The magnet wires can have a layer of heat activated adhesive that is activated when the plastic is molded. Slots in the lamination stack can include slot liners formed of thermally conductive plastic. A fan can be formed when the thermally conductive plastic is molded to encapsulate the magnet wires.