Craftsman 8-Inch Drill Press: How the Range Breaks Down

The Craftsman 8-inch drill press is the small, dependable benchtop machine that has anchored home shops for decades, and if you are shopping the used market you will quickly notice there is no single “8-inch Craftsman.” Sears sold several over the years: older 3-speed machines, later 5-speed models, different motors, different manufacturers behind the badge. That variety is exactly why buyers get confused about specs and parts. Sort the range by era and model number and it becomes simple. Here is how the Craftsman 8-inch drill press range breaks down, and how to buy and support one well.

The Craftsman 8-inch drill press is a compact benchtop drilling machine sold by Sears under the Craftsman name, spanning older 3-speed and later 5-speed models with 1/3-HP motors, 1/2-inch chucks, and small cast-iron tables, identified by model number (such as the 113-prefix Emerson-built and 137-prefix machines) and supported for parts through Sears PartsDirect.

Short answer: the Craftsman 8-inch range breaks down by era and model number. Older machines are typically 3-speed (620, 1,300, 3,100 RPM); later ones are 5-speed. Most are 1/3 HP with a 1/2-inch chuck and about 2 inches of travel. Identify the full model number to get the right specs and parts through Sears PartsDirect. They are good light-duty presses on the used market. Here is the breakdown.

The range by type

Craftsman 8-inch presses fall into a few groups:

• Older 3-speed machines: Classic benchtop presses running three belt speeds, commonly 620, 1,300, and 3,100 RPM, with a 1/3-HP motor, a 1/2-inch chuck, and about 2 inches of quill travel. Simple, cast-iron, and durable.
• Later 5-speed machines (137-prefix, for example 137.280050 and 137.219080): A 1/3-HP motor with five belt speeds for a wider range, otherwise similar in size and capacity.
• 113-prefix machines (for example 113.213100): Emerson-built Craftsman presses, the well-regarded ones, with strong parts support through Sears PartsDirect.

All are light-duty benchtop machines for wood, plastic, and thin metal. The differences are speed count, motor, and which manufacturer built them (the prefix tells you).

Reading the model number

Everything runs on the full model number, found on the ID plate:

• The prefix identifies the maker. A 113 prefix means Emerson Electric, generally the good vintage machines; a 137 prefix denotes later production. Our Sears Craftsman drill press guide explains the prefix system.
• The full number drives parts. Sears PartsDirect lists diagrams and parts by the complete model number. Record all digits before ordering.

Typical specifications

Across the 8-inch range, expect:

• Swing: 8 inches (4 inches from bit to column), for centering holes in an 8-inch workpiece.
• Motor: 1/3 HP, 120V, single-phase.
• Chuck: 1/2-inch keyed.
• Travel: About 2 inches of quill stroke.
• Speeds: 3 on older machines, 5 on later ones, set by moving the belt.
• Table: Small cast-iron, tilting for angle drilling.

Setting one up

• Mount it solidly to a sturdy bench.
• Square the table with a rod in the chuck and a square, in two directions.
• Set the belt speed for the bit and material.
• Use the depth stop for repeatable depths.
• Service the wear parts: expect to replace an aged V-belt, and check the chuck and spring.

The honest limits

Light-duty power. A 1/3-HP motor suits small bits in wood and thin metal; large bits will bog it.

Small capacity. An 8-inch swing and small table limit workpiece size, this is the smallest common press size.

Belt-change speeds. Three or five speeds by moving the belt, no dial.

Used-market condition. No warranty; buy on condition and completeness.

Parts and support

Craftsman 8-inch parts come through Sears PartsDirect, keyed to the full model number, covering the V-belt, chuck, torsion spring, spring cap, pulleys, and switch, plus matched generics for belts and chucks. The 113-prefix Emerson machines tend to have the best-documented parts. Our Craftsman drill press parts guide covers the ordering flow, and the older Craftsman drill press guide helps with vintage buying.

How it compares

Against a current 8-inch benchtop like the WEN 4208T, a used Craftsman 8-inch trades a fresh warranty and a work light for cast-iron simplicity and used-market value. The WEN adds modern convenience out of the box; the Craftsman’s appeal is availability, price, and Sears PartsDirect support. If you want a slightly bigger step up, a Craftsman 15-inch or a variable-speed WEN 4212T 10-inch gives more swing and speed control.

The verdict

The Craftsman 8-inch drill press range breaks down cleanly once you sort it by era and model number: older 3-speed machines, later 5-speed ones, mostly 1/3 HP with a 1/2-inch chuck and about 2 inches of travel, with the 113-prefix Emerson-built machines being the well-regarded picks. Identify the full model number to get the right specs and parts through Sears PartsDirect, set the press up carefully, and respect its light-duty limits. On the used market, a clean 8-inch Craftsman is a fine, inexpensive starter press. If you want more swing, power, variable speed, or a warranty, a larger Craftsman or a current WEN benchtop is the better move.

Frequently asked questions

How many speeds does a Craftsman 8-inch drill press have? It depends on the model. Older machines are typically 3-speed (around 620, 1,300, and 3,100 RPM), while later models are 5-speed. All set speed by moving the belt between pulley steps.

What horsepower is a Craftsman 8-inch drill press? Most are 1/3 HP, 120V, single-phase, sized for light drilling in wood, plastic, and thin metal. A few later or larger variants used different motors, so check your model’s plate.

How do I find parts for a Craftsman 8-inch drill press? Use the full model number from the ID plate on Sears PartsDirect, which lists diagrams and parts (belt, chuck, spring, pulleys, switch). Matched generic belts and 1/2-inch chucks also fit. The 113-prefix Emerson machines are the best documented.

What does the model prefix mean on a Craftsman drill press? The prefix identifies the manufacturer Sears contracted. A 113 prefix means Emerson Electric, generally the well-regarded machines; a 137 prefix denotes later production. The full number is what you use for parts.

Is a Craftsman 8-inch drill press good for metal? For thin metal and small bits at the correct slow speed, yes. Its 1/3-HP motor and small capacity are not suited to large-diameter bits or heavy continuous metal drilling.

Should I buy a used Craftsman 8-inch drill press? If it is complete and in good condition, it is a good-value light-duty starter. Check spindle runout, quill travel, motor sound, and belt condition, and budget for a belt and possibly a chuck.

What is the swing on a Craftsman 8-inch drill press? An 8-inch swing, meaning 4 inches from the bit to the column, so it drills to the center of an 8-inch-wide workpiece. It is the smallest common benchtop drill press size.

References

• Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman 8-inch drill press parts and manuals by model: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
• VintageMachinery.org, Emerson-built Craftsman documentation: https://vintagemachinery.org
• Popular Woodworking, benchtop drill press guidance: https://www.popularwoodworking.com