Sears Craftsman Drill Press: Models, Capacity, and Parts Support Explained

For most of the 20th century, if an American home shop had a drill press, there was a good chance it wore a Sears Craftsman badge. Sears sold these machines by the hundreds of thousands, in every size from little 8-inch bench units to full floor-standing presses, and a huge number of them are still running today. That ubiquity is exactly why the topic is confusing: a “Sears Craftsman drill press” is not one machine but a sprawling family sold over decades, built by different contractors, in wildly different sizes. Here is how to make sense of the models, what capacity to expect, and how parts support actually works.

A Sears Craftsman drill press is any of the many benchtop and floor-standing drill presses sold by Sears under the Craftsman brand, built by contract manufacturers such as Emerson Electric (model numbers beginning with 113), King-Seeley, and Atlas, ranging from 8-inch benchtop machines to floor presses, and supported for parts through Sears PartsDirect by model number.

Short answer: Sears Craftsman drill presses break down by size (8-inch and 9-inch bench, larger bench, and floor models) and by builder (the model-number prefix, with 113-series Emerson machines being the most common and best-supported). Capacity scales with size and motor, and parts support runs through Sears PartsDirect keyed to your exact model number. Here is the full picture.

Reading the model number: the key to everything

Sears never built these machines. It contracted them out and stamped the Craftsman name on the result, so the model number, not the badge, tells you what you actually have. The prefix identifies the builder:

• 113.xxxxx: Emerson Electric, the maker of many of the best Craftsman stationary tools. The most common and best-supported prefix.
• Other prefixes: Other contractors including King-Seeley and Atlas, with varying parts support.

A representative example is the 113.213850, a common Emerson-built bench press. Record your full model number from the ID plate before doing anything else; it drives parts, manuals, and identification. Our Craftsman drill press buying guide covers decoding the number in more detail.

The size range and capacity

8-inch and 9-inch benchtop. The smallest and most common Craftsman presses, often 5-speed machines with 1/3-HP motors (some 1/2 HP). Capacity suits small parts, thin stock, and hobby drilling. Light and compact.

Larger benchtop. More swing and often more power (up to 1/2 HP and beyond), covering general hobby woodworking.

Floor models and larger presses. These bring 3/4-HP motors, bigger swings, and the stability of a standing column or more mass, including 15-inch and larger machines. The right choice for larger holes and heavier work.

Capacity scales predictably with size: bigger swing reaches wider work, more horsepower drives larger bits without bogging, and more quill travel drills deeper without repositioning. Match the machine to the largest work you actually do. For a specific popular size, see our Craftsman 15-1/2 inch drill press guide.

Parts support: a genuine Craftsman strength

This is where owning a Craftsman pays off. Sears PartsDirect maintains diagrams and parts listings for many models, keyed to the model number. For a typical 113-series machine you can often order the V-belt, retaining rings, ball bearings, center and motor pulleys, motor bracket, chuck key, torsion spring, spring cap, spindle pulley, and locking switch by number. Generic wear items (belts, chucks) cover the rest.

The catch is model drift: parts fit varies by model, so the full model number is essential before ordering. Our Craftsman drill press parts guide walks through ordering by model number.

What to check when buying used

Most Sears Craftsman presses on the market are decades old, so condition decides value:

• Spindle runout: Spin a bit by hand; a wobble is usually a worn chuck (cheap fix) or a bent arbor/worn spindle (bigger job).
• Quill action: Smooth full travel with clean spring return.
• Motor: Quiet, smooth start.
• Belt: Old V-belts crack and are a guaranteed, inexpensive replacement.
• Table and column: Firm locking, no deep rust affecting flatness or height adjustment.

A machine that passes and needs only a belt and chuck is a good buy.

The honest trade-offs

Age and wear. Expect to replace a chuck, belt, or switch on most used examples. All are serviceable.

Belt-change speeds. These are stepped-pulley machines; changing speed means opening the cover and moving the belt.

Sold as-is used. No warranty on a used machine, so condition is the whole deal.

Craftsman versus buying new

A clean used Craftsman gives you heavy iron for little money, which is its appeal. It cannot give you variable speed, a laser, or a warranty. If those matter, a current benchtop like the WEN 4214T offers dial-and-read speed and a fresh start, and the WEN drill press lineup spans hobby to floor sizes. Buy the Craftsman for value and mass; buy new for convenience and support.

The verdict

The Sears Craftsman drill press family is vast, but it makes sense once you read it by size and builder. Decode the model number to learn who made it and favor Emerson-built 113-series machines, match the swing and motor to your work, and lean on Sears PartsDirect for the belt or chuck it will likely need. A sound used Craftsman is one of the best values in small-shop equipment. If you want variable speed and a warranty, buy new instead.

Frequently asked questions

Who made Sears Craftsman drill presses? Contract manufacturers including Emerson Electric (113-series), King-Seeley, and Atlas. Sears sold them under the Craftsman brand; the model-number prefix identifies the builder.

How do I find the model number on a Sears Craftsman drill press? Look for the ID plate on the head casting, column, or base and record the full number including the prefix. It is required for parts and identification.

What size Sears Craftsman drill press should I buy? An 8-inch or 9-inch bench model for hobby and small-part work, a larger bench model for general woodworking, or a floor model with a 3/4-HP motor for larger holes and heavier work.

Can you still get parts for a Sears Craftsman drill press? Often yes, through Sears PartsDirect keyed to the model number, plus generic belts and chucks. Availability of model-specific parts varies, so record the full model number.

Are Sears Craftsman drill presses good? Many are, especially Emerson-built 113-series machines: heavy, simple, and repairable. Quality varies by builder, so the model number matters more than the badge.

What should I check on a used Sears Craftsman drill press? Spindle runout, quill action, motor sound, belt condition, and table and column locking and rust. A machine needing only a belt and chuck is a good value.

Do Sears Craftsman drill presses have variable speed? Most are stepped-pulley machines with a set number of belt-position speeds, not a variable-speed dial. For variable speed, look to a current machine.

References

• Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman drill press parts and diagrams by model: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
• VintageMachinery.org, Craftsman, Emerson, and Atlas documentation: https://vintagemachinery.org
• Popular Woodworking, used drill press buying guidance: https://www.popularwoodworking.com