Craftsman Benchtop Drill Press: Reading the Models and Finding the Parts
You inherited a Craftsman benchtop drill press, or you spotted one at a sale, and now you are staring at a number like 113.213850 wondering what it fits and where the belt comes from. That confusion is the real story of the craftsman benchtop drill press, because the name covers decades of machines built by different makers. Sort out how to read the model number and you can judge any of them and keep it running. I worked through the manuals, parts listings, and the model-number system to make that simple.
A Craftsman benchtop drill press is a compact, bench-mounted press sold under the Sears Craftsman name. Over the years these were built by several manufacturers, so the model number, not the brand, tells you who made it and which parts fit.
Here is the direct answer. Do not shop by the word Craftsman alone. Read the model number prefix, which identifies the maker and the parts family, then match belts, chucks, and speeds to that specific machine. Older Craftsman presses are capable tools, but because many lines are discontinued, buying one is a used purchase where parts sourcing decides whether it is a bargain or a headache.
Why the model number matters more than the name
Craftsman was a Sears house brand, not a factory. Sears contracted various makers to build tools and stamped Craftsman on them, so two presses with the same badge can share almost no parts.
The prefix on the model number is the key. A number beginning with 113, for example, points to an Emerson-built tool, and that prefix is what parts sellers use to match belts, chucks, tables, and switches.
So the first thing to do with any Craftsman press is find the full model number on the plate and write it down. Everything else, specs, manuals, and parts, flows from that number.
How to read a Craftsman model number
The format is a three digit prefix, a dot, then the rest of the model number, like 113.213850.
| Part of the number | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Prefix before the dot (e.g. 113) | The manufacturer that built the tool for Sears |
| Digits after the dot | The specific model within that maker’s line |
| Plate location | Usually on the head, column, or motor housing |
The 113 prefix is the one drill press owners meet most, and it corresponds to Emerson Electric. Once you have the full number, you can pull the matching owner’s manual and parts diagram, which list the correct belt, chuck, and speed settings for that exact machine.
What older Craftsman benchtop presses offer
Specs vary by model, but the common benchtop Craftsman presses fall into a familiar range. Smaller units use a 1/3 HP motor and an 8 to 10 inch swing, while mid-size ones step up to 2/3 HP and a larger swing with more speeds.
Verdict: a clean older Craftsman benchtop press is a capable tool for wood and light metal, with the heavy cast tables and solid columns that older machines are known for. Many owners keep them running for decades.
Honest flaw: nearly all of these lines are discontinued, so you cannot buy one new, and factory parts support has shrunk. Speed changes are belt moves, and features like work lights or lasers appeared only on certain models and often fail with age.
Who should skip an old Craftsman press: anyone who wants a new tool with a warranty and guaranteed parts. A current benchtop press from an active brand removes the sourcing gamble entirely.
Finding parts for a discontinued Craftsman press
Parts sourcing is the heart of Craftsman press ownership, and the model number is your lever. With the full number you can search Sears Parts Direct and third-party sellers for the exact belt, chuck, and switch.
The good news is that the most common wear items are generic by size. Drive belts match by length and profile, and chucks match by taper (many use a JT33 arbor or an MT2 spindle), so those are usually easy to replace even without a factory part.
The harder items are model-specific castings and any electronics, like a laser or a digital feature, which appeared on limited runs. Before buying a used press, run every speed, check the chuck for runout, and confirm any special feature works, since those are the parts you cannot easily replace.
Judging a used Craftsman press before you buy
Treat the inspection like a short checklist. Power it on and run each speed, watching for a smooth belt and steady motor. Chuck a straight bit and lower it to look for wobble, which signals a worn chuck or bearing.
Check the quill return spring and depth stop, then look at the table for cracks and make sure it raises, lowers, and tilts. These cast parts are the ones that make a press worth restoring or not.
If everything mechanical is sound, a missing manual or a dead laser is not a deal breaker, because the mechanicals are what matter. Match the model number to a manual afterward and you have everything you need to set speeds and order wear parts.
The verdict
The Craftsman benchtop drill press is not one machine but a family, and the model number is the key that unlocks specs, manuals, and parts.
- Read the number first: the prefix identifies the maker and the parts family, so never shop by the Craftsman name alone.
- Capable used tools: clean older presses drill wood and light metal well, with heavy cast tables built to last.
- Parts are mixed: belts and chucks match by size easily, while model-specific castings and electronics are the hard finds.
- Skip it if: you want a new machine with a warranty and dependable parts, where a current benchtop press is the safer buy.
FAQ
Why do Craftsman drill presses vary so much? Craftsman was a Sears house brand, not a factory. Different makers built the tools, so two presses with the same badge can have different specs and parts. The model number, not the name, tells you what you have.
How do I read a Craftsman model number? It is a three digit prefix, a dot, then the model, like 113.213850. The prefix identifies the manufacturer, and the digits after the dot identify the specific model. The number is usually on a plate on the head, column, or motor.
What does the 113 prefix mean? A 113 prefix indicates a tool built by Emerson Electric for Sears. It is the prefix drill press owners see most, and parts sellers use it to match belts, chucks, and other components.
Can I still buy a Craftsman benchtop drill press new? Most of the classic lines are discontinued, so you are generally buying used. Current Craftsman-branded tools exist under the brand’s newer owner, but the older presses people ask about are out of production.
Where do I get parts for an old Craftsman press? Use the full model number to search Sears Parts Direct and third-party sellers. Belts match by length and profile and chucks match by taper, so those are easy. Model-specific castings and electronics are the harder finds.
What should I check before buying a used one? Run every speed, chuck a straight bit to check for wobble, test the depth stop and quill return, and confirm the table raises, lowers, and tilts without cracks. Sound mechanicals matter more than a missing manual.
Are older Craftsman drill presses good tools? Yes, a clean one is a capable press for wood and light metal, with heavy cast tables and solid columns. The main risk is parts sourcing, not the quality of the machine itself.
References
- Craftsman 113.213850 Drill Press Owner’s Manual: https://craftsman.manymanuals.com/power-tools/113-213850/owners-manual-4808/21
- OSHA Woodworking eTool, Drill Press: https://www.osha.gov/etools/woodworking/production/machines-tools/drill-press
- CCOHS, Metalworking Machines, Drill Presses: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/drillpresses.html
