Craftsman 8-Inch Drill Press 1/3 HP 5-Speed: What Owners Should Know
You inherit a compact Craftsman drill press or spot one at an estate sale. The head plate shows 1/3 HP and a label inside the belt guard lists five speed positions. That is a more capable machine than the 3-speed version covered elsewhere, and understanding exactly why matters before you set it up or decide to replace it.
A benchtop drill press in the 8-inch class means an 8-inch swing (4-inch throat depth from chuck to column). Step-pulley 5-speed machines achieve their speed range by offering five distinct belt positions across a pair of multi-step pulleys. More steps means a wider and more finely graduated RPM range without any electronic variable-speed control. That is the fundamental mechanical advantage this press has over its 3-speed sibling.
The short answer: the Craftsman 8-inch 1/3 HP 5-speed benchtop drill press is a genuinely useful shop tool for wood, plastics, and light non-ferrous work. Five speeds give you real flexibility across bit sizes and materials. The honest limitation is that a 2-inch spindle travel puts a ceiling on deep drilling applications.
Confirmed Models and Specs
The best-documented Craftsman 8-inch 1/3 HP 5-speed benchtop model is the 137.280050, confirmed by multiple parts and resale listings. Documented specifications for the 137.280050 include:
- 8-inch swing (4-inch throat)
- 1/3 HP motor
- 5 speeds via step pulley
- 1/2-inch keyed chuck
- 2 inches of spindle travel
- 120V, single phase
A related 5-speed model documented at Sears Parts Direct is the 137.219080. If you have a model number in the 137.2XXXXX range on an 8-inch benchtop press with 5 speeds and 1/3 HP, the specs above are a reasonable starting reference. Always pull the exact model number from your machine’s head plate before ordering parts.
Five Speeds vs. Three Speeds: The Real Difference
The 3-speed 113.213080 gives you 620, 1300, and 3100 RPM. That is a workable range, but the gap between 1300 and 3100 is large. The 5-speed configuration fills in that gap, giving you intermediate steps that let you better match surface footage recommendations for different combinations of bit diameter and material.
| Speed Step | Approximate RPM Range |
|---|---|
| 1 (slowest) | Around 600 to 750 |
| 2 | Around 1000 to 1100 |
| 3 | Around 1500 to 1600 |
| 4 | Around 2000 to 2100 |
| 5 (fastest) | Around 3000 to 3100 |
Note: exact RPM values for the 137.280050 are not confirmed in publicly available documentation at writing. The ranges above reflect what is typical for 8-inch 5-speed benchtop presses of this era. Confirm your machine’s actual speeds from the chart inside your belt guard.
Both OSHA’s drill press eTool and CCOHS guidance emphasize using the recommended speed for each operation. With five steps instead of three, you are more likely to land close to the correct speed for a given job.
What This Press Handles Well
Softwood drilling at any bit size up to 1/2 inch is easy work for this machine. Plastics (acrylic, PVC, polycarbonate) with appropriate speeds run cleanly. Thin aluminum and non-ferrous sheet material at low RPM with cutting fluid is feasible. The 2-inch spindle travel is the constraint to internalize before you start a project. Two inches is enough for most through-holes in common lumber thicknesses. It is not enough for deep mortises or any application requiring more than 2 inches of plunge depth.
The Honest Flaw
Spindle travel of 2 inches is not unique to this machine, but it limits the Craftsman 8-inch class broadly. You cannot drill through 2x lumber at full thickness in one plunge. You cannot use this press for deep-hole drilling in any meaningful sense. That is the ceiling, and it is built into the physical design of the machine.
Who should skip this: Anyone needing more than 2 inches of plunge depth, anyone drilling steel of any real thickness, or anyone doing production work in hardwood at large bit diameters. For those needs, move up to a 10-inch or larger drill press with a 1/2 HP or stronger motor.
Setting Up the Machine
The step-pulley system requires the machine to be off and unplugged before speed changes. Open the belt guard, loosen the motor bracket lock, move the belt to the correct pulley step as shown on the inside-guard chart, re-tension the belt, and close the guard. The belt should deflect roughly 1/2 inch under moderate finger pressure at its midspan. Too loose causes slipping and speed loss under load. Too tight loads the motor and spindle bearings unnecessarily.
Before drilling, clamp your workpiece. OSHA’s drill press eTool is explicit: never do freehand work in a drill press. A spinning bit can catch the material and rotate it violently. Use a fence, a drill press vise fastened to the table, or clamps.
Parts Sourcing
Sears Parts Direct (searspartsdirect.com) is the starting point for 137.280050 and 137.219080 components. Enter the full model number in the parts search. Belts, chuck keys, table lock hardware, and switch components are the most commonly needed items. For major mechanical components like pulleys, quill housings, or spindle assemblies, eBay is often the only practical source for discontinued machines.
The 1/2-inch keyed chuck on these machines uses a standard Jacobs taper. If the chuck develops runout or the jaws no longer grip reliably, a replacement chuck is a straightforward aftermarket fix. Confirm the taper specification for your specific model before ordering.
Comparison: 5-Speed Craftsman vs. 3-Speed vs. WEN 4208T
| Feature | Craftsman 137.280050 (5-speed, 1/3 HP) | Craftsman 113.213080 (3-speed, 1/3 HP) | WEN 4208T (5-speed, 2.3A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swing | 8 inches | 8 inches | 8 inches |
| Speed steps | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Motor | 1/3 HP | 1/3 HP | 2.3A induction |
| Chuck | 1/2 inch keyed | 1/2 inch keyed | 1/2 inch keyed |
| Spindle travel | 2 inches | Not confirmed | 2 inches |
| Table | Steel | Steel | Cast iron, tilts 45 degrees |
| Status | Discontinued, secondhand | Discontinued, secondhand | New, available |
The WEN 4208T is available new: WEN 4208T. It matches the Craftsman 5-speed on speed count and spindle travel while adding a cast iron table and current parts availability.
Verdict and Takeaways
The Craftsman 8-inch 1/3 HP 5-speed drill press (137.280050 and close relatives) is the more capable version of the 3-speed 8-inch Craftsman benchtop family. For softwood, plastics, and light non-ferrous work, the five speed steps give you meaningful flexibility. The 2-inch spindle travel is the practical ceiling on the machine’s versatility.
- Five speeds give you a notably wider RPM range than the 3-speed version, especially in the middle range where it matters most.
- Spindle travel of 2 inches is the hard limit; plan projects accordingly.
- Parts sourcing through Sears Parts Direct is the first move; eBay is the backup for mechanical components.
- If you are buying today rather than maintaining what you own, the WEN 4208T delivers equivalent speed range with a cast iron table and current parts support.
FAQ
What is the model number of the Craftsman 8-inch 1/3 HP 5-speed drill press? The most documented model is 137.280050. Model 137.219080 is another variant in this family. Check the head plate for your exact number.
What are the five speeds on the 137.280050? Exact RPM values are not confirmed in public documentation. Check the speed chart inside your machine’s belt guard. Typical 8-inch 5-speed machines of this class range from around 600 to around 3100 RPM across five steps.
How does the 5-speed Craftsman compare to the 3-speed version? Same motor rating and swing, but two additional speed steps. The extra steps let you better match recommended surface footage for different materials and bit diameters.
What is the spindle travel? Two inches on the 137.280050, confirmed by parts and resale documentation.
Where do I get parts? Sears Parts Direct (searspartsdirect.com) first. eBay and vintage tool forums for mechanical components that are no longer stocked.
Can I drill metal with this press? Thin aluminum and non-ferrous sheet, yes, at slow speeds with cutting fluid. Structural steel, no.
How do I change belt speeds? Power off and unplug. Open the belt guard. Loosen the motor bracket. Move the belt to the correct pulley step shown on the inside-guard chart. Re-tension. Close the guard before starting.
Is the chuck replaceable? Yes. It uses a Jacobs taper. Confirm the taper specification for the 137.280050 before ordering a replacement chuck.
What is the best current replacement? The WEN 4208T: WEN 4208T.
References
- Sears Parts Direct, Craftsman 137.280050 and 137.219080 drill press listings: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
- WEN Drill Press FAQs: https://wenproducts.com/pages/drill-press-faqs
- OSHA Woodworking Drill Press eTool: https://www.osha.gov/etools/woodworking/production/machines-tools/drill-press
- CCOHS, Drill Presses: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/drillpresses.html
