Sears Craftsman Drill Press Parts: How to Identify the Correct Version

If your Craftsman drill press came from Sears, you are dealing with a specific era of the brand: the Sears-era 113.xxxxxx machines, built in the United States and Canada through various manufacturers under Sears’s direction from the mid-20th century onward. These are well-made machines with a strong following, but the Craftsman brand has changed ownership (now under Stanley Black and Decker), and the parts ecosystem that once ran through Sears has evolved significantly. Knowing how to navigate that landscape is the practical question. This guide covers how to identify the correct version and find the right parts for a Sears Craftsman drill press.

Sears Craftsman drill press parts are organized around the full model number, typically in the 113.xxxxxx format (for example, 113.213850). Each six- or seven-digit suffix after the 113 prefix identifies the specific model, its motor HP, table size, and configuration. Key components in these machines include the V-belt, retaining ring, ball bearing, center pulley, motor pulley, motor bracket, chuck key, torsion spring, spring cap, head casting, taper pin, spindle pulley, locking switch, spindle assembly, and bed lock. The spindle taper is typically JT33 (Jacobs #33) across most benchtop models.

Straight answer: find the full 113.xxxxxx model number from the machine’s label, then search by that number on SearsPartsDirect, Craftsman’s current support site, and third-party parts repositories. The full suffix matters: 113.213850 and 113.213810 are different machines with different parts.

Identifying the Sears era machine

Sears Craftsman drill presses from the vintage era carry a model number starting with 113 on a metal plate on the head or column. The full number (for example 113.213850) is more specific than the family name and is the key to finding the correct parts diagram. Several sub-families exist:

• 8-inch benchtop presses: 113.2xxxxx range, 5 speeds, small cast-iron table.
• 10-inch to 12-inch models: Various 113 numbers, belt-driven, some with multiple speeds.
• Floor-standing models: Some carry 137.xxxxxx or 351.xxxxxx prefixes depending on era.

Record the full number exactly. Even a single digit difference in the suffix means a different machine.

Where to find parts

Three paths, in order of relevance:

1. SearsPartsDirect: The historical Sears parts system (now separated from Sears retail) maintains a large inventory of Craftsman parts and diagrams, including many 113-series models. Search by the full model number. The diagram shows every numbered component; use the diagram reference number when ordering.

2. Craftsman.com (Stanley Black and Decker): Covers current Craftsman models and some recent-vintage machines. For older 113-series machines, the catalog may be limited.

3. Third-party parts repositories: eReplacementParts.com, PartSelect, and mmtoolparts.com carry diagrams and parts for many 113-series Craftsman machines. Searching the full model number on these sites often surfaces results when other sources do not.

Universal consumables

For parts that fit by measurement rather than by exact model number:

• V-belt: Measure the outside circumference and top width of the old belt, or check the parts diagram for the belt’s reference number and cross to a standard size. A Craftsman drill press replacement belt (45-inch L-section) covers several 113-series models, but confirm your size.
• Chuck: Most 113-series benchtop presses use a JT33 taper. A 5/8-inch keyed chuck with a JT33 arbor fits directly. A universal ratcheting chuck key replaces a lost key.
• Ball bearings: Match by outer diameter, inner diameter, and width from a bearing supplier.

The honest flaws

Two honest points. First, some OEM parts for older 113-series machines have been discontinued and are no longer stocked anywhere, particularly for the less-common suffix variants; measure and cross-reference to generic equivalents in those cases. Second, the brand transition means parts information is split between the old Sears ecosystem and the new Stanley Black and Decker system, so checking both sources is often necessary. Neither makes the machines unsupportable, just less convenient than a current machine with a single-source parts supply.

Conclusion: the model number suffix is everything

Sears Craftsman drill press parts are findable once you work from the full model number.

• Find the full 113.xxxxxx number on the machine’s label; the complete suffix is essential.
• Check SearsPartsDirect, craftsman.com, and third-party parts repositories.
• Match V-belt and chuck by size; use the diagram’s numbered references for structural parts.
• Measure for generic equivalents when OEM parts are discontinued.

FAQ

What does the 113 prefix mean on a Craftsman drill press? It identifies the product category within Sears’s internal model-numbering system. The full 113.xxxxxx number identifies the specific machine.

Where do I find Sears Craftsman drill press parts now? SearsPartsDirect (for older inventory), craftsman.com (current), and third-party sites like eReplacementParts and PartSelect.

What spindle taper do 113-series presses use? JT33 (Jacobs #33) on most benchtop models. Confirm from the machine’s parts diagram.

How do I measure the V-belt? Wrap a flexible tape around the old belt to get the outside circumference; measure the top width. Match both to a replacement.

Are ball bearings available for these machines? Yes, generically. Measure the outer diameter, inner diameter, and width of the old bearing and order a matching standard bearing from a bearing supplier.

Why is the full model number suffix important? Even a single digit difference in the suffix identifies a different machine with different parts; never order by the 113 prefix alone.

References

• SearsPartsDirect, Craftsman 113-series drill press parts: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
• Craftsman (Stanley Black and Decker), support and parts: https://www.craftsman.com/support
• eReplacementParts.com, Craftsman drill press parts by model: https://www.ereplacementparts.com/parts/power-tool/drill/drill-press/craftsman/