Craftsman Drill Press Parts: How to Find the Right Ones for Your Model

The Craftsman drill press in your shop probably came from Sears decades ago, ran faithfully for years, and now needs one small thing: a belt, a chuck, a switch that finally quit. And that is where people get stuck, because Craftsman was a brand Sears stamped on machines built by other companies, so “Craftsman drill press parts” is not one catalog but many. The trick to ordering the right part on the first try is understanding that the model number, not the Craftsman name, is what actually identifies your machine.

Craftsman drill press parts are the replacement components (belts, chucks, chuck keys, switches, quill springs, pulleys, and tables) for drill presses sold under the Sears Craftsman brand but manufactured by contractors such as Emerson Electric and King-Seeley. Because the machines came from different makers, parts are organized and sourced by the full Craftsman model number, which usually begins with a maker-specific prefix.

The reliable method: read the full model number off the ID plate, note the prefix that identifies the manufacturer, then order from a parts source that lists diagrams for that exact number, with Sears PartsDirect being the primary resource. Here is how to do it without guessing.

The model number is everything

Craftsman tools carry a model number with a prefix that tells you who built the machine, and that prefix is the key to parts:

• 113.xxxxx points to Emerson Electric
• 137.xxxxx points to another contractor
• 149.xxxxx and other prefixes point to still others

This matters because a belt or switch for a 113-series Emerson machine is not the same part as one for a 137-series machine, even though both wear the Craftsman badge. When you search for parts, you search the full number, prefix included. Guessing by the Craftsman name alone is how the wrong part ends up in the cart.

Find the ID plate on the head casting, the column, or the base. Write down the entire number before you shop.

Where to find Craftsman drill press parts

Sears PartsDirect is the primary source, maintaining exploded diagrams and parts listings for a huge range of Craftsman model numbers. You enter your model, click the part on the diagram, and see whether it is still available. This is the closest thing to an official catalog for these machines and the first place to look.

Aftermarket and generic parts cover the wear items well. Belts are sized by length and width, so a correctly measured V-belt from any supplier works. Chucks are sized by capacity (1/2-inch or 5/8-inch) and mount (threaded or tapered arbor), so a quality generic chuck that matches those specs restores clean drilling regardless of brand.

Used and salvage covers the discontinued stuff. For obsolete switches, pulleys, or tables, a parts machine of the same model number is often the only source, and vintage tool communities are good for tracking these down.

The parts that fail most, and how to match them

Belt. The most common replacement. A glazed or cracked belt causes bogging and squealing. Measure the old belt’s length and width, or read the size from the diagram, and match it. Belts are not maker-specific beyond their dimensions.

Chuck. A chuck that will not hold a bit true is the second most common issue. Confirm capacity (1/2-inch versus 5/8-inch) and mount (threaded versus tapered arbor) before ordering. A correctly sized generic chuck is a clean fix.

Chuck key. Small and easily lost. Match the pinion size; a generic key of the right size works.

Switch. A toggle that needs jiggling is a wear item. This one is often model-specific, so check Sears PartsDirect for your number, and consider a used part if the original is discontinued.

Quill return spring. When the quill drifts or feels rough returning, the spring has weakened. Match it to your model’s diagram.

Confirm fit before you order

Whatever the part, confirm three things: the exact model number match, the physical size or capacity, and the mount or attachment style. For chucks especially, a tapered-arbor chuck is pressed and wedged, while a threaded chuck spins on, and the two are not interchangeable. Reading these details off the parts diagram before ordering is what turns a frustrating two-order repair into a one-order fix. The same discipline applies to any vintage machine; our Craftsman 15-1/2 inch drill press guide covers what to inspect on the machine itself.

The verdict

Finding Craftsman drill press parts comes down to respecting the model number. Read the full number off the ID plate, use the prefix to know who built the machine, and order from Sears PartsDirect diagrams for that exact model, falling back to correctly sized generic belts and chucks for wear items and to used parts for anything discontinued. Confirm size and mount before you click. Do that, and most Craftsman presses are easy and cheap to keep running, which is the whole reason these heavy old machines are still worth owning.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find parts for my Craftsman drill press? Read the full model number off the ID plate, then search Sears PartsDirect, which maintains diagrams and parts listings for many Craftsman models. Use correctly sized generic parts for belts and chucks.

What does the Craftsman model number prefix mean? The prefix identifies the manufacturer. For example, 113 points to Emerson Electric, while 137 and other prefixes point to different contractors. Parts are matched to the full number.

Where is the model number on a Craftsman drill press? On the ID plate, usually located on the head casting, the column, or the base. Record the entire number, including the prefix.

Can I use a generic belt or chuck on a Craftsman drill press? Yes, for wear items. Belts match by length and width, and chucks match by capacity and mount style. A correctly sized generic part restores full function.

Are Craftsman drill press parts still available? Many are, through Sears PartsDirect and aftermarket suppliers. Some model-specific parts like switches or pulleys are discontinued and may only be found used or from a parts machine.

How do I know which chuck fits my Craftsman drill press? Confirm the capacity (1/2-inch or 5/8-inch) and the mount style (threaded or tapered arbor). The parts diagram for your model lists both.

Why won’t the wrong-looking part fit even though it looks the same? Machines from different makers share the Craftsman badge but not the parts. Mount style and dimensions vary, so always match to the full model number, not the appearance.

References

• Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman drill press parts and exploded diagrams: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
• VintageMachinery.org, Craftsman and Emerson tool documentation: https://vintagemachinery.org
• Popular Woodworking, maintaining and repairing older drill presses