Craftsman 15-Inch Drill Press: Specs, Capacity, and Owner Notes

The Craftsman 15-inch drill press is one of the more capable machines Sears sold under the Craftsman name, and it is a common find for anyone shopping the used market for a floor-standing press without floor-press money. But “Craftsman 15-inch” hides an important split: there is a later 137-prefix machine built by Rexon of Taiwan, and older 113-prefix machines built by Emerson, and they are not the same press. Sorting out which one you have (or are buying) is the key to knowing its specs and getting the right parts. Here is the guide to specs, capacity, and owner notes.

The Craftsman 15-inch drill press is a floor-standing drilling machine sold by Sears, most commonly the later model 137.229150 (built by Rexon) with a 1-HP maximum-developed motor, 8 amps at 120V, 12 speeds from 250 to 3,100 RPM, a 5/8-inch chuck, a 3-1/8-inch spindle travel, a 7-1/2-inch throat, and a 13-1/4-inch square tilting table, distinct from the older Emerson-built 113-prefix 15-inch machines.

Short answer: the Craftsman 15-inch (model 137.229150) is a floor press with a 1-HP maximum-developed motor, 12 speeds from 250 to 3,100 RPM, a 5/8-inch chuck, 3-1/8 inches of travel, and a big 13-1/4-inch square tilting table with a built-in light. It handles general wood and metal drilling. Identify whether you have the Rexon 137-prefix or older Emerson 113-prefix machine before buying parts, and support both through Sears PartsDirect. Here is the detail.

Specifications (137.229150 / 137.229250)

The later Rexon-built Craftsman 15-inch is the most common, and its specs are genuinely capable:

• Motor: 1 HP maximum developed, 8 amps at 120V.
• Speeds: 12, from 250 to 3,100 RPM, belt-driven.
• Chuck: 5/8-inch keyed.
• Spindle travel: 3-1/8 inches.
• Throat: 7-1/2 inches (a 15-inch swing).
• Table: 13-1/4 by 13-1/4 inches, tilts 45 degrees right and left.
• Base: roughly 11 by 20-3/8 inches.
• Height: about 63-1/4 inches (a floor machine).
• Light: a 60-watt built-in work light.
• Quill lock for repeated setups.

Note that “1 HP maximum developed” is a peak rating; the 8-amp draw tells you the continuous power is more modest. It is still a capable general-purpose floor press.

Understanding capacity

• 15-inch swing (7-1/2-inch throat): centers a hole in a 15-inch workpiece.
• 5/8-inch chuck: bit shanks up to 5/8 inch fit directly; larger bits need reduced shanks.
• 3-1/8-inch travel: deeper holes than a benchtop press in one pass.
• 12 speeds (250 to 3,100 RPM): slow enough for larger bits and metal, fast enough for small bits in wood.
• Big tilting table: real support for larger and angled work.

That capacity suits general woodworking and metal drilling well, a genuine step above any benchtop machine.

The important owner note: two different machines

Here is what trips up owners: the Craftsman 15-inch is not one machine.

• Later 137-prefix (137.229150, 137.229250): Built by Rexon of Taiwan for Sears. The specs above apply. This is the common modern used-market machine.
• Older 113-prefix 15-inch machines: Built by Emerson, with different specifications (often a 1/2-HP motor) and different parts. These are the older vintage presses.

Always read the full model number off the ID plate. A 137 prefix means Rexon; a 113 prefix means Emerson. The prefix determines which specs and which parts apply, so never assume they interchange. Our Sears Craftsman drill press guide explains the prefix system in full.

Setting one up

• Level and stabilize the floor machine so it cannot rock.
• Square the table with a rod in the chuck and a square, in two directions.
• Set the belt speed using the chart: slow for large bits and metal, fast for small bits in wood.
• Use the depth stop and quill lock for repeatable holes.
• Service the belt and chuck first; they are the common wear items.

The honest flaws

“Maximum developed” motor rating. The 1-HP figure is a peak; the 8-amp draw means continuous power is more modest. Do not expect industrial performance.

Belt-change speeds. Twelve speeds, but set by moving the belt, not a dial.

Used-market condition. No warranty; condition and completeness are everything.

Parts depend on the maker. Rexon and Emerson machines do not share parts, so identify the prefix first.

Parts and support

Both the Rexon and Emerson Craftsman 15-inch machines are supported through Sears PartsDirect, keyed to the full model number, covering belts, chucks, springs, pulleys, switches, and the light, plus matched generics for belts and 5/8-inch chucks. Record the full model number before ordering. Our Craftsman drill press parts guide covers the ordering flow.

How it compares

Against a smaller Craftsman 8-inch, the 15-inch is a far more capable floor machine, more swing, more power, more travel, and a much bigger table. Against a name-brand floor press like the Delta 17900 or Delta 16-1/2, the Craftsman 15-inch is a comparable-class used-market machine, with the same belt-speed, cast-iron floor-press character. Against a compact benchtop like the variable-speed WEN 4212T, it trades size and a warranty for real floor-press capacity. Choose the Craftsman 15-inch for capable used-market floor drilling; choose a WEN for a compact variable-speed benchtop.

The verdict

The Craftsman 15-inch drill press (model 137.229150) is a capable general-purpose floor press: a 1-HP maximum-developed motor, 12 speeds from 250 to 3,100 RPM, a 5/8-inch chuck, 3-1/8 inches of travel, and a big 13-1/4-inch square tilting table with a built-in light. The single most important owner note is to identify whether you have the later Rexon-built 137-prefix machine or an older Emerson-built 113-prefix one, because their specs and parts differ. Support both through Sears PartsDirect by the full model number, set the press up carefully, and treat the “maximum developed” horsepower as a peak figure. On the used market, a clean Craftsman 15-inch is a lot of capable floor press for the money.

Frequently asked questions

What are the specs of the Craftsman 15-inch drill press (137.229150)? A 1-HP maximum-developed motor at 8 amps and 120V, 12 speeds from 250 to 3,100 RPM, a 5/8-inch chuck, 3-1/8 inches of spindle travel, a 7-1/2-inch throat (15-inch swing), a 13-1/4-inch square tilting table, a base around 11 by 20-3/8 inches, a height near 63-1/4 inches, and a 60-watt built-in light.

Who made the Craftsman 15-inch drill press? The later 137-prefix models (137.229150, 137.229250) were built by Rexon of Taiwan for Sears. Older 113-prefix 15-inch machines were built by Emerson and have different specs and parts. Check the model prefix on the ID plate.

What does “1 HP maximum developed” mean on the Craftsman 15-inch? It is a peak horsepower rating, not the continuous output. The 8-amp draw indicates the sustained power is more modest. It is still a capable general-purpose floor press, just not an industrial-duty machine.

How many speeds does the Craftsman 15-inch drill press have? Twelve belt-driven speeds from 250 to 3,100 RPM, set by moving the belt between pulley steps. The range is slow enough for larger bits and metal and fast enough for small bits in wood.

How do I find parts for a Craftsman 15-inch drill press? Use the full model number from the ID plate on Sears PartsDirect, which lists diagrams and parts. Because Rexon (137) and Emerson (113) machines differ, confirm the prefix first. Matched generic belts and 5/8-inch chucks also fit.

Is the Craftsman 15-inch drill press good for metal? Yes, for general metal drilling. Its low speeds (down to 250 RPM), 5/8-inch chuck, and floor-press mass handle steel within reason. Use a slow speed for large bits, a center punch, and steady feed.

What is the chuck size on the Craftsman 15-inch drill press? A 5/8-inch keyed chuck, so bit shanks up to 5/8 inch fit directly and larger bits need reduced shanks. That capacity is typical for a general-purpose floor press of this size.

References

• Sears PartsDirect, Craftsman 15-inch drill press parts and manuals by model: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
• VintageMachinery.org, Craftsman and Emerson drill press documentation: https://vintagemachinery.org
• Popular Woodworking, floor drill press guidance: https://www.popularwoodworking.com