A Closer Look at the Craftsman 8in Drill Press

There is a Craftsman 8-inch drill press in a lot of American garages, and it usually got there the same way: bought at Sears decades ago, used for a hundred small jobs, and never quite worn out. If you have one, or you are eyeing a used one on a marketplace listing, the questions are almost always the same. What model is it, can I still get a belt and a chuck for it, and is it worth keeping, or should I just replace it with something new?

Good news on all three counts, with one honest caveat about power that has always been true of 8-inch presses.

What the Craftsman 8-inch press is

Craftsman, sold through Sears, offered 8-inch bench drill presses for decades, and the ones you meet today are typically five-speed, roughly 1/3 HP belt-driven machines. Common model numbers include the 113.213080 and the later 137-series units like the 137.219080 and 137.280050, several of which were made in Taiwan. An 8-inch swing means the spindle sits 4 inches from the column, so it drills to the center of an 8-inch-wide board. Speeds change by moving the V-belt across stepped pulleys under the cover.

That Craftsman model prefix matters. The 113 numbers point to the older Sears-era tooling; the 137 numbers are the later run. Both are light-duty bench presses in the same class, and the prefix is your key to the right parts list on Sears PartsDirect.

Can you still get parts?

Mostly yes, and this is Craftsman’s quiet advantage over no-name imports. Sears PartsDirect still hosts owner’s manuals and parts diagrams for these drill presses by model number, so you can identify the exact belt, chuck, spring, and switch your machine needs. The parts that fail on an 8-inch press are the usual suspects: the V-belt (a stock consumable), the chuck (generic replacement), the quill return spring, and the switch. None of those are exotic.

The move that saves frustration: find your model number on the plate at the rear of the head, then pull the matching manual before ordering anything. Craftsman reused designs across model numbers, and the diagram removes the guesswork.

Where it fits, and the power question

An 8-inch Craftsman is a light-duty press, full stop. It is excellent for pilot holes, dowels, small brackets, drum sanding, and general shop work. It is not built to hog large holes in steel, and its roughly 1/3 HP motor will bog if you push a big bit hard. That is not a Craftsman flaw; it is simply what an 8-inch press is. Owners who outgrow it move to a 10- or 12-inch machine, and keep the 8-inch for small work.

Here is the comparison worth making. A used Craftsman 8-inch in good shape, with a trued chuck, will do everything a new entry-level 8-inch (a WEN 4208 or a Harbor Freight Central Machinery) will do, and it often has heavier, older build quality. The new machines win on warranty, a fresh motor, and features like an onboard light. If you already own the Craftsman and it runs true, keeping it is the easy, sensible call.

Setup, upgrades, and tooling

Two small upgrades make an old Craftsman feel new. Replace a worn or wobbly chuck with a good 1/2-inch keyed chuck and matching arbor, and fit a fresh drill press V-belt to kill vibration and slippage. Add a drill press vise for safe work-holding and a spare drill press chuck key, because the original always goes missing. Before buying an arbor, drop the chuck and read the taper, since it varies across the 113 and 137 runs.

The verdict

The Craftsman 8-inch drill press is a keeper if you have one that runs true, and a sensible used buy if the deal is right, because parts and manuals are still available by model number and the failure points are all common wear items. Its one limit, modest motor power, is inherent to every 8-inch press, so match it to light drilling and sanding rather than heavy steel. Identify your model prefix (113 or 137), pull the correct parts diagram, fit a good chuck and belt, and this old Sears standby will keep earning its bench space for years.

Takeaways:

• Craftsman 8-inch presses are light-duty, five-speed, roughly 1/3 HP machines under 113 and 137 model numbers.
• Manuals and parts diagrams are still on Sears PartsDirect by model number.
• Common repairs (belt, chuck, spring, switch) are simple and generic.
• Keep it for light work; move up to a 10- or 12-inch press for heavy steel.

FAQ

How do I find the model of my Craftsman 8-inch drill press? Check the plate at the rear of the head. Common numbers include 113.213080 and 137-series units like 137.219080 and 137.280050.

Can I still get parts for a Craftsman 8-inch drill press? Yes. Sears PartsDirect hosts manuals and parts diagrams by model number, and the common wear items (belt, chuck, spring, switch) are generic and available.

How powerful is the Craftsman 8-inch press? Most run a roughly 1/3 HP motor, which suits light drilling and sanding. It is not built for hogging large holes in steel.

What size chuck does it use? Typically a 1/2-inch keyed chuck. Confirm the arbor taper by removing the chuck before ordering a replacement.

Is a used Craftsman 8-inch worth buying? If it runs true and the deal is fair, yes. A trued Craftsman does everything a new entry-level 8-inch does, often with heavier build quality.

Why does my Craftsman drill press vibrate? Usually a worn belt or a wobbly chuck. Replacing both, and making sure the base is bolted down, solves most vibration.

8-inch or 10-inch, which should I get? The 8-inch is fine for light woodworking. If you drill wider stock or heavier metal, step up to a 10- or 12-inch press for more swing and power.

References

• Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman 113.213850 / 113213850 drill press manual and parts: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/manual/uwyhcr0kgb-000247/craftsman-113213850-drill-press-parts
• Craftsman 113.213080 8-inch Bench Model Drill Press Owner’s Manual: https://c.searspartsdirect.com/mmh/lis_pdf/OWNM/L0904330.pdf
• Craftsman 137.280050 8-inch, 1/3 HP, 5-speed drill press listing (specifications): https://www.lenmark.com/products/8-inch-drill-press-1-3hp-5-speed