Finding the Right Craftsman 15-1/2 Drill Press Belt: A Compatibility-First Guide
The belt broke on Saturday. You pull out the snapped piece, squint at the model plate on the head, and realize the number is too faded to read. Or maybe the plate reads clearly and you have a model number, but three different online listings claim to fit your press and they all specify different belt dimensions. Either way, you are in familiar territory for anyone who maintains a vintage Craftsman 15-1/2-inch drill press.
A V-belt on a drill press transmits power from the motor pulley to the spindle pulley by friction between the belt’s trapezoidal cross-section and the grooved faces of both pulleys. The belt’s top width and outside circumference (or outside length) determine whether it fits the pulley grooves correctly and spans the center-to-center distance between motor and spindle without slipping or running too tight. Both dimensions must match your machine.
The central problem with the Craftsman 15-1/2-inch class is this: Sears sold this press under many 113.2XXXXX model numbers over several decades, and not all of them use the same belt. Picking the wrong one is easy if you skip the measuring step.
Why Compatibility Is Not Automatic in the 15-1/2-Inch Class
The Craftsman 15 to 15-1/2-inch floor and bench press family was manufactured across multiple generations from the 1940s through the early 2000s. The well-documented 113.213850, for example, is a 15-inch floor press with a 1/2 HP motor from the early 1980s. Aftermarket suppliers have published specific belt data for models like the 113.213702, whose belt is documented at 45 and 1/4 inches outside length. Amazon listings confirm that some 15-1/2-inch models use a 45-inch, 3/16-inch top width V-belt. A Hobby Machinist forum member reported a belt measuring 38.9 inches on their press, a substantially different length on what appears to the outside to be the same class of machine.
The Garage Journal’s comprehensive Craftsman drill press reference (covering 1946 to 1984) confirms that all Craftsman 15.5-inch presses in the King-Seeley and Emerson generations share a No. 33 Jacobs taper on the spindle, but it does not promise uniform belt sizing across the family. The chuck taper is standardized; the belt is not.
This is the core compatibility problem: the 15-1/2-inch label tells you the swing of the machine. It does not tell you which belt fits.
The Compatibility Matrix: How Different Models Differ
| Model | Swing | Belt Outside Length | Belt Top Width | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113.213850 | 15 inches | Verify by measurement | Verify by measurement | Craftsman 113.213850 manual |
| 113.213702 | 15-1/2 inches | 45-1/4 inches | 3/16 inch | Polybelt documented listing |
| Unknown model | 15 or 15-1/2 inches | 38.9 inches (one user report) | 3/16 inch | Hobby Machinist forum |
The point of this table is not to give you a complete lookup, because a complete lookup does not exist in a single authoritative public source. The point is to show that the length varies meaningfully across models in the same nominal family, and that you cannot rely on the swing measurement or the “15-1/2 inch” label alone to select a belt.
The Only Reliable Method: Measure the Old Belt
If the old belt is available, even broken into pieces:
Step 1: Measure the top width. On a V-belt, the top width is the flat face across the widest part of the trapezoidal cross-section. On Craftsman 15-1/2-inch presses, documented top widths in the 3/16-inch range appear frequently. Use calipers for accuracy.
Step 2: Measure the outside circumference. Lay the belt flat on a workbench and measure its total outside length, or tape a cloth measuring tape around the outside of the belt loop. If the belt is in two pieces, add the lengths. This is the outside circumference, not the pitch length. Most consumer-grade belt sizing is done by outside circumference.
Step 3: Cross-reference. With top width and outside length confirmed, search by those dimensions on aftermarket belt supplier sites or bring the measurements to an auto parts store. Standard V-belts in these dimensions are stocked by multiple suppliers.
If the old belt is completely gone or destroyed beyond measurement, measure the center-to-center distance between the motor pulley shaft and the spindle pulley shaft, then use a belt length calculator (available from belt suppliers) to estimate the correct outside circumference for the known pulley diameters. This is less precise than measuring the old belt but is a workable fallback.
When the Model Number Is Missing or Unreadable
Faded, painted over, or simply missing model plates are common on 30 to 40-year-old floor presses. In this case, belt measurement is your only reliable method. Do not guess based on what a listing says fits “most Craftsman 15-1/2-inch presses.” That claim is probably true for a subset of the models, not all of them.
A secondary approach: photograph your step pulleys, count the steps, and note the groove cross-section profile. Post this information to a machinist or woodworking forum such as Garage Journal or Hobby Machinist. Experienced members can often narrow down the generation and likely belt size from pulley photos alone.
For OEM belt part numbers tied to specific 113.2XXXXX models, Sears Parts Direct (searspartsdirect.com) is the reference. Search by your model number if you have it. The parts diagram will show the belt as a line item with its original part number, which can then be cross-referenced to aftermarket equivalents.
The Craftsman 113.213850 as a Reference Point
The 113.213850 is one of the best-documented models in the 15-inch class thanks to a complete owner’s manual available through craftsman.manymanuals.com. It is a floor press with a 1/2 HP motor from the early 1980s. Its belt specs appear in the manual and in aftermarket supplier listings, making it a useful reference point for what a well-documented machine looks like.
What the 113.213850 does not do is stand in for the entire 15-1/2-inch family. If your press is a 113.24590, or a 113.213702, the belt specs may differ. Use the 113.213850 manual as a model for how to read your own machine’s documentation, not as a source of belt dimensions for a machine you cannot confirm is the same model.
The Honest Flaw: No Uniform Belt Standard Across the Family
Belt sizing is not standardized across the Craftsman 15 to 15-1/2-inch drill press family. Sears sold these machines across multiple decades and manufacturer generations (King-Seeley, Emerson, and others), and the belt specifications were set per-model, not per-size-class. This is a consequence of decades of model variation under the same brand umbrella.
Who should skip buying without measuring: Everyone. There is no exception to the measurement rule on a vintage Craftsman floor press. Even if a seller lists a belt as compatible with “Craftsman 15-1/2-inch drill presses,” verify the dimensions against your measurement before you order. A belt that is 6 inches too long or too short cannot be run on your pulleys.
Step-by-Step Belt Replacement
- Power off the machine and unplug it from the wall.
- Open the belt guard or motor access panel.
- Loosen the motor mount adjustment to reduce belt tension. On most 15-1/2-inch floor presses, a bolt or handle releases the motor pivot.
- Slide the old belt off the pulleys. If it is broken, remove all pieces.
- Inspect the pulley grooves for wear, cracking, or oil contamination. Contaminated pulleys cause premature belt failure.
- Route the new belt over both pulleys in the correct groove step for your desired speed.
- Re-tension by pivoting the motor until the belt deflects approximately 1/2 inch under moderate finger pressure at the midspan.
- Lock the motor mount.
- Close the guard before starting.
Both OSHA’s drill press eTool and CCOHS guidance note that belt guards must be in place during operation.
Verdict and Takeaways
Finding the right belt for a Craftsman 15-1/2-inch drill press is a compatibility problem, not a shopping problem. The solution is measurement, not model name matching.
- The 15-1/2-inch label tells you swing, not belt size. Models in this family use different belt dimensions.
- Measure the old belt (top width plus outside circumference) before ordering any replacement.
- If the model number is unreadable, measure first and consult forums with pulley photos as a secondary method.
- Sears Parts Direct (searspartsdirect.com) is the reference for OEM belt part numbers when you have a readable model number.
FAQ
What size belt does a Craftsman 15-1/2-inch drill press use? It depends on the model. The 113.213702 uses a belt with an outside length of 45-1/4 inches. Other models in the 113.2XXXXX family use different lengths. Measure your old belt before ordering.
What is the top width of the belt? Many models in this family use a 3/16-inch top width belt, but this is not universal. Measure with calipers to confirm your machine’s groove width.
Can I use a link belt instead of a V-belt? Yes, link belts are a practical alternative and are popular on vintage machines because they can be sized to exact length without measuring. Choose the correct width to match your pulley groove profile.
What is the Craftsman 113.213850? A 15-inch floor press with a 1/2 HP motor from the early 1980s. One of the best-documented models in the Craftsman 15-inch class, but its belt specs do not necessarily apply to other 113.2XXXXX models.
Where can I find OEM belt part numbers for my model? Sears Parts Direct (searspartsdirect.com). Search by model number and look for the belt in the parts diagram.
What if the model plate is unreadable? Measure the old belt if it is available. If not, measure pulley center-to-center distance and pulley groove width, then use a belt length calculator to estimate the required outside circumference.
How tight should the belt be? The belt should deflect approximately 1/2 inch under moderate finger pressure at the midpoint between the two pulleys.
Is there a single belt that fits all Craftsman 15-1/2-inch presses? No. The belt is not standardized across the family. Measure before ordering.
References
- Craftsman 113.213850 Owner’s Manual: https://craftsman.manymanuals.com/power-tools/113-213850/owners-manual-4808/21
- Sears Parts Direct, Craftsman drill press parts and manuals: 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
