How to Remove the Pulley on a Craftsman 150 Drill Press, Step by Step
The Craftsman 150 series drill press is a common find, and getting a pulley off one is the gateway to nearly every drive repair: a cracked pulley, a worn belt path, or reaching the spindle bearings. On these presses the pulley can be more stubborn than owners expect, since decades on the shaft plus a set screw seated in a flat can make it feel stuck fast. Knowing how to remove the pulley on a Craftsman 150 drill press, step by step, keeps a routine job from cracking a die cast pulley or scoring the shaft.
The Craftsman 150 uses stepped cone pulleys on the motor and spindle, with the belt running between matching steps. Each pulley is fixed to its shaft by a set screw seated on a flat, and the die cast pulleys of this era are known to crack if pried.
The direct answer: with the press unplugged and belt off, back out the set screw fully, confirm there is not a second screw or key, then draw the pulley off with a puller rather than prying. Support the shaft so the pull does not load the bearings.
Step by step
- Unplug the press and open the belt cover.
- Remove the belt so nothing is under tension.
- Find and back out the set screw on the pulley hub, seated on a flat on the shaft. Back it fully clear.
- Check for a second set screw or a key. Some hubs use two screws; confirm there is no key holding the pulley.
- Fit a puller. Seat a gear and pulley puller squarely on the pulley and draw it up the shaft evenly, supporting the shaft so the load bypasses the bearings.
- Clean the shaft and flat once the pulley is off.
If the pulley you removed is cracked, a machined drill press step pulley resists cracking on reinstall, and a fresh drill press V belt is worth fitting while you are in there.
Where people go wrong
The first mistake is prying the pulley off with screwdrivers, which cracks a die cast pulley and scores the shaft. The second is pulling without supporting the shaft, driving the load through the bearings and damaging them. The third is forcing a pulley that has a second set screw or a key still holding it, when a quick recheck would have found the retention.
The verdict
Removing the pulley on a Craftsman 150 is a simple, ordered job: unplug, remove the belt, back out the set screw, confirm no second screw or key, and pull, never pry, while supporting the shaft. Respect that a decades old die cast pulley cracks easily under prying, so let the puller do the work. Do it in that order and the pulley comes off clean, the shaft stays unmarked, and whatever drive repair brought you here is now within reach.
Three takeaways:
- Back out the set screw and check for a second screw or key.
- Use a puller, never pry, to protect the die cast pulley and shaft.
- Support the shaft so the pull bypasses the bearings.
FAQ
How do I remove the pulley on a Craftsman 150 drill press? Unplug the press, remove the belt, back out the set screw fully, confirm there is no second screw or key, then draw the pulley off with a puller while supporting the shaft.
Why won’t the pulley come off after I loosened the set screw? There may be a second set screw, a key, or a press fit. Recheck all retention before applying more force, and use a puller rather than prying.
Can I pry the pulley off? No. Prying cracks the die cast pulley and scores the shaft. A gear or pulley puller draws it off evenly without damage.
Why support the shaft? So the pulling load does not pass through the spindle or motor bearings and damage them. Back up the shaft as you pull.
Which pulley should I remove? The motor pulley for motor and belt work, the spindle pulley to reach the spindle bearings. Confirm which before you start.
Should I replace the pulley while it is off? If it is cracked, yes. A machined pulley resists the cracking die cast ones suffer, and a fresh belt is worth fitting at the same time.
Do I need to remove the belt first? Yes. Take the belt off so the pulley is free and nothing is under tension while you work.
References
- The Engineering ToolBox, Belts: Pulley Diameters vs. Speed. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pulley-diameters-speeds-d_1620.html
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Woodworking eTool: Drill Presses. https://www.osha.gov/etools/woodworking/production/machines-tools/drill-press
