Craftsman 12-Inch Drill Press: How the Range Breaks Down

The Craftsman 12-inch drill press is the size a lot of home shops eventually settle on, big enough to reach the center of real workpieces, small enough to live on a bench, and common enough that used ones turn up constantly. But “Craftsman 12-inch” is not one machine; it spans several versions across the years, some with a laser, some with variable speed, some with a bigger motor. If you are shopping or trying to identify one, understanding how the range breaks down (and how to find parts) makes the whole thing simple. Here is the breakdown.

What the Craftsman 12-inch is

The 12-inch designation refers to the swing, so the spindle sits about 6 inches from the column and reaches the center of a 12-inch-wide workpiece. These are benchtop machines built on the standard layout: a motor driving a stepped-pulley belt for multiple speeds, a spindle with a keyed chuck, a quill with a return spring, and a cast table that tilts. As with all Craftsman stationary tools, they carry Sears model numbers (a 113 or later prefix), and that number is what unlocks parts, manuals, and diagrams. The 12-inch sits above the light 8-, 9-, and 10-inch presses, offering more reach and usually a stronger motor.

How the range breaks down

The 12-inch appears in several flavors over the years:

• Standard 5-speed models. The mainstream version, with a belt giving several speeds and a fractional-horsepower motor (some in the 3/4 HP range on stronger units). Good for general woodworking and light metal.
• Laser models. Later versions added a laser to help line up the bit on the workpiece. A convenience, not a precision guarantee, but useful.
• Variable-speed and 12-speed models. Some machines added more speed steps or a variable-speed feature for changing RPM without moving the belt as often.
• Different motor ratings. Watch for the horsepower on the plate, since a 3/4 HP 12-inch has more muscle than a lighter one.

The practical takeaway: identify your exact version by its model number and features, since a laser 12-speed differs from a basic 5-speed even though both are “Craftsman 12-inch.”

Parts and the model number

Here is where Craftsman shines over off-brands. Because these were Sears machines, parts diagrams and manuals are available by model number through Sears PartsDirect, and the failure points are standard: a V-belt, the chuck and key, a torsion return spring and spring cap, ball bearings, the spindle pulley and center pulley, and the locking switch. Find the model number (a 113 or later prefix), pull the matching diagram, and you can order or match nearly everything. That documented parts support is a big reason these presses stay useful for decades.

Tooling and replacement parts

Get the most from a Craftsman 12-inch with good tooling. Fit a quality keyed drill chuck with the matching arbor if the original wears, keep a fresh drill press V-belt on the shelf, and fix a weak quill return with a drill press quill return spring. Add a drill press vise and a set of Forstner bits to use the extra swing and muscle. Keep a spare drill press chuck key. Confirm the taper before ordering an arbor, and match springs and pulleys by model number.

The verdict

The Craftsman 12-inch drill press is a strong home-shop size, offering enough swing to reach the center of real workpieces and, on the stronger versions, enough motor for confident woodworking and light metal. The key is knowing which version you have, since the range spans basic 5-speed machines, laser models, and variable-speed or 12-speed units with different motor ratings. Identify yours by its Sears model number, pull the matching parts diagram, and keeping it running is easy because the failure points are all standard, documented parts. Fit a good chuck, belt, and Forstner bits, and a Craftsman 12-inch earns a long life on the bench. For heavy steel or wider stock, a floor press is the next step.

Takeaways:

• The Craftsman 12-inch is a benchtop press with a 12-inch swing, above the light 8- to 10-inch machines.
• The range spans basic 5-speed models, laser models, and variable-speed or 12-speed units with different motor ratings.
• Identify your exact version by its Sears model number (a 113 or later prefix) to get the right parts.
• Failure points are standard, documented parts: belt, chuck, key, return spring, pulleys, bearings, switch.

FAQ

What can a Craftsman 12-inch drill press do? General woodworking and light metal, reaching the center of a 12-inch-wide workpiece. Stronger versions with a 3/4 HP motor handle larger bits confidently.

How do I identify my Craftsman 12-inch version? Find the Sears model number (a 113 or later prefix) and note the features (laser, speed count, motor rating). The model number identifies the exact machine.

Do Craftsman 12-inch presses have a laser? Some later models do, to help line up the bit. It is a convenience, not a precision guarantee. Check your specific model.

Where do I get parts? By model number through Sears PartsDirect. Failure points (belt, chuck, key, return spring, pulleys, bearings, switch) are standard and documented.

How many speeds does it have? Commonly five on standard models, with some 12-speed and variable-speed versions. Check your model’s speed count.

Why won’t the quill return? Usually a tired torsion return spring under the spring cap. Match the correct spring by model number and adjust its tension.

What chuck and taper does it use? A keyed chuck on a standard taper. Confirm the taper by removing the chuck before ordering a replacement arbor.

References

• Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman 12-inch drill press model lookup and parts diagrams: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/
• Craftsman drill press owner’s manuals (Sears model-number archive): https://www.searspartsdirect.com/model-lookup
• OWWM.org, Craftsman and Sears stationary tool identification forums: https://owwm.org/