Craftsman 15-1/2 Drill Press Parts: How to Identify the Correct Version
Someone hands you a Craftsman 15-1/2 drill press parts number over the phone and you order it, only to find the chuck or belt does not fit when it arrives. That mismatch happens constantly with these old Sears presses, and it comes down to one thing: Sears sold several similar 15 to 15-1/2 inch Craftsman drill presses under different 113.2xxxxx model numbers, and they do not all share the same parts. Before you order anything, read the full model number off the machine.
Craftsman drill press parts are the individual components you replace as the machine ages: the V-belt, the chuck, the quill return spring, the key switch, the pulleys, and the spindle bearings. Sourcing them correctly is a matter of matching each one to your exact model and, where possible, to a measurement rather than to a name.
The direct answer: find the 113 model number stamped on the machine, pull the exploded parts diagram for that exact number on Sears PartsDirect, and match each part by diagram position and measurement. Never assume two 15-1/2 inch Craftsman presses use the same parts, because they frequently do not.
Where do you find the model number?
Look for a metal or foil plate on the head casting, the motor, or the column near the base. The number reads as 113 followed by a period and more digits, for example 113.213850. That full string, not just “15-1/2 inch,” is what parts systems key on. If the head plate is worn off, check the motor plate, since the motor often carries its own identifying data that helps narrow the machine.
Once you have the number, enter it on Sears PartsDirect. For 113.213850 the parts page organizes the machine into a spindle assembly, a base assembly, a motor and pulley assembly with guard, and a key switch assembly, each with its own diagram and part callouts.
Why can two 15-1/2 inch presses need different parts?
Because Sears revised these presses across years and suppliers. One 15-1/2 inch press might take a V-belt around 3/16 inch by 45 inches while another (113.213850) takes a belt near 3/8 inch by 24 inches. Chucks, switches, and springs can differ too. The “15-1/2 inch” label describes the swing class, not the parts set, which is exactly why ordering by that label alone leads to returns.
Model 113.213850 is a specific case worth pinning down: it is a 15-inch floor press with a 1/2 HP, 1725 rpm motor, a 12-speed belt drive, and a 5/8 inch chuck, and it has no laser. If a seller or a listing ties it to a laser guide or a higher-horsepower motor, you are looking at a different machine, and its parts will not all match.
Which parts wear out, and how do you match them?
Match every wear part by measurement and diagram position, not by eye. Here is where most part orders go.
| Part | How to match it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| V-belt | Top width and outside length | Roughly 3/8 in. by 24 in. on 113.213850; measure yours |
| Chuck | Arbor taper and capacity | 5/8 in. keyed on this model |
| Quill return spring | Diagram position, coil size | Listed as a torsion spring in the parts list; handle under tension |
| Key switch | Diagram position, terminals | 113.213850 uses a locking key switch |
| Spindle pulley | Diagram position | Confirm step count matches your speed chart |
| Spindle bearings | Bearing number | 6205 ball bearings (25 mm bore, 52 mm outside, 15 mm wide) on this family |
For the belt and chuck, a measurement beats any part number, because you can confirm a match against a ruler. For the spring and switch, use the exploded diagram to identify the exact part by its position number, then order that callout.
What if the diagram does not match your machine?
If the online diagram does not line up with what you see, you probably have the wrong model number or a machine that was modified by a previous owner. Re-read the plate carefully, and compare the pulley step count and switch style against the diagram. When a part cannot be confirmed against your machine, order a standard-sized replacement (for belts and bearings especially) matched to your measurements rather than a model-specific part you are unsure of.
Verdict and takeaways
Getting Craftsman 15-1/2 drill press parts right is 90 percent identification and 10 percent ordering. Read the number, pull the right diagram, and match by measurement.
- Read the full 113.2xxxxx number off the head or motor before ordering a single part.
- Use the Sears PartsDirect exploded diagrams (spindle, base, motor and pulley, key switch) for your exact model.
- Match belts, chucks, and bearings by measurement; match springs and switches by diagram position.
- Remember 113.213850 is a 1/2 HP, no-laser press, so do not order parts meant for laser or higher-horsepower models.
FAQ
Where is the model number on a Craftsman drill press? On a plate on the head casting, the motor, or the column near the base. It reads 113 followed by more digits, such as 113.213850.
Are all 15-1/2 inch Craftsman drill press parts the same? No. Sears sold several similar presses under different 113 numbers with different belts, switches, and chucks. Always match parts to your exact model and measurements.
What bearings does this press use? The spindle pulley on this Craftsman family runs on 6205 ball bearings measuring 25 mm bore by 52 mm outside diameter by 15 mm wide. You need two.
How do I know if I have the 113.213850? It is a 15-inch floor press with a 1/2 HP, 1725 rpm motor, 12 belt-driven speeds, a 5/8 inch chuck, and no laser. The number is stamped on the machine; confirm the features match.
Can I replace the chuck with a modern one? Yes, if the arbor taper and capacity match. Confirm the taper on your spindle before ordering, since a mismatched arbor will not seat.
Where do I get an exploded diagram? Sears PartsDirect hosts diagrams and parts lists by model number, split into spindle, base, motor and pulley, and switch assemblies for this press.
Why did my ordered part not fit? Almost always because it was ordered by the “15-1/2 inch” description instead of the exact model number, or because a prior owner swapped a component. Re-verify the model and measure the old part.
References
- Craftsman 113.213850 Owner’s Manual and Parts List: https://craftsman.manymanuals.com/power-tools/113-213850/owners-manual-4808/21
- Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman 113213850 drill press parts: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/model/uwyhcr0kgb-000247/craftsman-113213850-drill-press-parts
- OSHA Woodworking eTool, drill press: https://www.osha.gov/etools/woodworking/production/machines-tools/drill-press
- CCOHS, drill presses safety: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/drillpresses.html
