Understanding the Sears Craftsman Drill Press Stand Model 25921: Setup, Limits, and Support
Floor space is money in a small shop. That’s the calculus that makes the Craftsman Model 25921 drill press stand worth knowing about.
The idea is simple enough: you have a benchtop Craftsman drill press taking up real estate on your workbench. You’d rather have that bench space back, and you’d like the drill press at a better ergonomic height. The 25921 stand is Sears’s answer — a floor stand accessory that converts a compatible benchtop drill press into a floor-standing configuration without requiring you to buy an entirely new machine.
It’s a sensible idea, executed in typical Sears fashion: functional, affordable, occasionally frustrating. Here’s everything you need to know before you buy one, set one up, or try to source parts for one.
What the Model 25921 Actually Is
The Craftsman 25921 is a floor stand — not a drill press itself. It is an accessory, sold separately, designed to extend the column of a compatible Craftsman benchtop drill press down to the floor.
The stand consists of:
- A base (cast iron or heavy steel, depending on production year)
- A column extension that mates to the benchtop machine’s column stub
- A table support arm (the accessory allows the drill press table to remain in place)
- Adjustment hardware for height positioning
When you mount a compatible Craftsman bench drill press on the 25921, the combined assembly is functionally equivalent to a purpose-built floor press — with some important differences we’ll get to.
The stand was sold as a companion to specific Craftsman benchtop drill presses, most notably the 113.213850 and related 113-series benchtop models. The fit is specific: not every Craftsman benchtop will mate cleanly to a 25921 stand.
Compatible Benchtop Models
The 25921 was designed around the Craftsman 113-series benchtop drill presses with a specific column diameter. Before buying a stand, confirm:
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Column diameter: The 25921’s column extension must match your machine’s column outer diameter. Common Craftsman 113-series benchtop presses use a 2¾-inch outside column diameter. Measure yours.
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Column connection method: The stand extension typically slides onto or into the existing column stub and locks with a set screw or clamping collar. Check that the interface on your machine matches the stand’s design.
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Model number cross-reference: Sears’s original compatibility documentation lists specific 113.XXXXX models. If you can find the stand’s original packaging insert or a Sears Parts catalog page (OWWM.org is your best source), verify your model is on the list.
Benchtop models commonly referenced as compatible:
- Craftsman 113.213120
- Craftsman 113.213850 (and close variants)
- Other Craftsman 8-inch and 10-inch benchtop models from the same production era
If you’re purchasing a stand and machine separately, buy the machine first, confirm the column dimensions, then source a stand.
Assembly Steps
The 25921 is not a complex assembly, but a few things will save you time and frustration.
Step 1: Prepare the base The base should sit level. On an uneven concrete floor, use shims or a floor grinder. A drill press that rocks is a drill press that drifts.
Step 2: Install the column extension The column extension attaches to the base with bolts through a flange. Hand-tighten, then check alignment: the column extension should be plumb (vertical) in both axes. Use a machinist’s level or a precision level against the column. Plumb the column before final tightening.
Step 3: Mount the benchtop unit With the column extension plumb and locked, slide the benchtop drill press down onto the top of the column extension. The interface should be snug. Lock the set screw or clamping collar.
Step 4: Verify column straightness With the full assembly assembled, sight down the column from the top. The combined column should be straight.
Step 5: Check table height and tilt Position the table to a comfortable working height. Lock the table bracket. Confirm the table is perpendicular to the spindle by drilling a test hole in scrap and checking with a square.
Step 6: Anchor the base (strongly recommended) The 25921 base is heavy enough to be stable under normal drilling loads, but anchor it anyway. Bolt through the base mounting holes into the floor, or use anti-tip straps to a wall stud. A floor press that tips over can seriously injure you.
Stability Assessment
What it does well:
- Frees up bench space. This is its primary purpose, and it delivers.
- Brings the drill press to floor-press ergonomics — standing at proper height rather than hunching over a bench.
- The combined mass of stand plus machine is reasonable — heavier than most modern budget floor presses.
Where it falls short:
- The combined column is a bolted joint, not a single casting. Any column extension introduces a potential flex point at the connection. A purpose-built floor press has a single-piece column that is inherently stiffer.
- Table support is less rigid. Benchtop machines have smaller table brackets and shorter table arms than purpose-built floor presses.
- Height adjustment is limited compared to full floor presses.
- Vibration. The added column length acts as an antenna for motor vibration. If your benchtop machine already vibrates, the stand may amplify it. A link belt on the benchtop drive cuts vibration at the source before it propagates down into the stand.
For woodworking — drilling dowel holes, Forstner-bit mortises, shelf pins — the stability of a 25921-converted machine is perfectly adequate. For serious metalwork requiring heavy feed pressure, a dedicated floor press with a one-piece column is the better tool.
Stand vs. Dedicated Floor Press: The Honest Comparison
| Factor | 25921 Stand + Bench Press | Dedicated Floor Press |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (used) | $30–$80 stand + $80–$200 bench press | $150–$400 total |
| Column rigidity | Moderate (two-piece) | High (one-piece) |
| Table travel | Limited | Full column height |
| Table size | Bench-press scale (~6”–8”) | Floor-press scale (10”–12”) |
| Footprint | Same as bench press | Same as bench press |
| Parts complexity | Two machines worth of parts | One machine |
| Best for | Woodworking, light metalwork | Any serious metalwork |
The math: If you can find a clean 25921 stand for $40–$60 and you already own a compatible Craftsman benchtop press, the conversion makes obvious economic sense. You get floor-press ergonomics for minimal cost.
If you’re starting from scratch and need to buy both the stand and the benchtop machine, the economics are less clear. A used Craftsman floor press in the same price range gives you better rigidity and more table movement. Add a drill press vise and a magnetic LED light, and a used floor press beats the stand-converted benchtop for versatility.
The verdict: The 25921 is a value-added accessory for people who already own a compatible benchtop press. It’s not an ideal starting point if you’re building a shop from scratch.
The Pinion Spring: A Known Replacement Part
The pinion spring is worth calling out specifically because it’s the most frequently searched replacement part associated with the 25921 stand.
The pinion spring relates to the table height adjustment mechanism — the rack-and-pinion system that allows you to slide the table up and down the column. The spring provides return tension or detent function in the adjustment mechanism.
On older stands, the pinion spring fatigues and breaks. Symptoms: table height adjustment feels loose, sloppy, or fails to hold position without the lock engaged.
Parts sourcing:
- Check eReplacementParts.com with the model number “25921” or the full Craftsman cross-reference number.
- The spring is a small, inexpensive component — but if eReplacementParts.com shows it as discontinued, check eBay for listings from parts machines.
- In extremis, a competent machinist can fabricate a replacement spring from stock spring wire.
If you’re evaluating a used 25921 stand, test the table height adjustment mechanism. Grab the table and try to slide it with the lock off. It should move smoothly and resist movement just enough to not free-fall. A sloppy adjustment mechanism that won’t hold position likely has a fatigued or broken pinion spring.
Where to Find a Used Model 25921 Stand
These stands were never sold in large quantities — they were an accessory item, not a primary tool — and they often get separated from the drill press they were paired with.
Best sources, ranked:
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eBay: This is your primary market. Search “Craftsman 25921 drill press stand” and also “Craftsman drill press stand” (without the model number, as many sellers don’t know the model). Filter by your zip code for local pickup.
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Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist: Estate sales and shop cleanouts regularly surface these stands, often without the matching drill press.
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Local estate sales: Call the estate sale company and describe what you’re looking for.
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OWWM.org classifieds: The Old Woodworking Machines forum has an active classifieds section, and members are knowledgeable about Sears-era Craftsman equipment.
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Garage sales in older neighborhoods: Look in areas with houses built in the 1960s–80s.
What to pay: A stand alone, without a drill press, should be under $60. A stand that has been cleaned up and is confirmed functional is worth up to $80.
Setting It Up for Daily Use
Add a work light. The column of a floor press casts a shadow on your drill point. A magnetic LED work light that clamps to the column and angles down toward the table solves this immediately.
Upgrade the belt. Any machine that’s been sitting in a garage for years will have a hardened, cracked V-belt. A link belt replaces the original in minutes, doesn’t require measuring for exact length, and reduces vibration throughout the entire stand assembly.
Check the chuck. If the chuck is the original and hasn’t been replaced in decades, test it for runout. A replacement JT33 chuck is inexpensive and often dramatically improves drilling accuracy. Make sure you have the right chuck key — originals go missing constantly.
Add a vise for metal work. If you’ll ever drill metal on this setup, bolt a drill press vise to the table. Drilling metal without securing the workpiece is dangerous on any drill press.
Wax the table. Clean up any rust with a wire wheel and 220-grit sandpaper, then apply a coat of paste wax. Wax keeps the table from rusting again and lets workpieces slide smoothly.
Comparison: 25921-Converted Setup vs. Alternatives
| Configuration | Cost (approx.) | Rigidity | Table Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25921 + 113-series benchtop | $120–$280 total | Moderate | Small (~7”) | Wood, light metal |
| Craftsman 15½” floor press (used) | $150–$300 | High | Large (11”) | All-purpose |
| WEN 4214T (new floor press) | $200–$250 | Moderate-High | Medium (9.5”) | New buyer, warranty |
| Jet JDP-17 (new floor press) | $500–$600 | High | Large (11”) | Serious shop |
FAQ
Q: What drill presses is the Craftsman Model 25921 compatible with? A: The 25921 was designed for Sears-era Craftsman 113-series benchtop drill presses, primarily 8-inch and 10-inch swing models with a 2¾-inch column. Verify your column diameter before purchasing.
Q: Can I find the manual for the 25921 stand online? A: Try VintageMachinery.org and OWWM.org. Sears PartsDirect occasionally has archive documentation.
Q: Where do I find the pinion spring for the 25921? A: Check eReplacementParts.com using the model number 25921. If unavailable, search eBay for parts-machine listings.
Q: Is a stand-converted benchtop better than buying a floor drill press? A: If you already own the compatible benchtop press, yes — the conversion is cheap and practical. If buying both from scratch, a used floor press of equivalent or better quality is often available in the same price range with better rigidity.
Q: The table on my 25921 setup won’t hold position — what’s wrong? A: The most common cause is a fatigued or broken pinion spring in the table height adjustment mechanism. Source from eReplacementParts.com by model number.
Q: Can I use any benchtop drill press with the 25921? A: No. The stand is designed for specific Craftsman 113-series benchtop models. Column diameter must match, and the connection interface must be compatible. Confirm before buying.
Q: How do I reduce vibration in my stand-converted setup? A: Replace the V-belt with a link belt. Link belts reduce vibration at the source. Also check that all bolted connections on the stand are tight and the base is firmly on level ground.
Q: My drill press wobbles on the 25921 stand. How do I fix it? A: First, check that all column connection hardware is tight. Second, confirm the base is sitting on level ground — use shims if necessary. Third, anchor the base to the floor.
Q: How do I improve lighting on a floor-mounted drill press? A: A magnetic LED work light mounted to the column is the easiest upgrade. Position it from the opposite side of your shop’s primary light source to minimize shadow on the drill point.
Q: Is the WEN 4214T a better alternative to the 25921 setup? A: For a first-time buyer with no existing benchtop press: probably yes. The WEN 4214T is a new floor press with a warranty and WEN’s customer service. For someone who already owns a compatible Craftsman benchtop press, the 25921 conversion at under $80 is hard to beat.
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