Which Craftsman Drill Press Table Lift Fits? Start With the Model and Taper

Craftsman sold drill presses for decades, which is wonderful until you need a part. The name on the machine tells you almost nothing about which components fit, because “Craftsman” covered many models made by different manufacturers over the years. When the table lift, the rack, pinion, and crank that raise and lower the table, wears out, the right replacement depends entirely on your specific model. Starting with that model number, not the brand, is what turns guesswork into a correct order.

A Craftsman drill press table lift is the mechanism that moves the table up and down the column and locks it: the rack, the pinion gear, the crank handle, and the lock. On a model like the Craftsman 113.213850, these parts are tied to that machine’s column and geometry. Identifying your model, and understanding your machine’s taper and specifics, is the starting point.

Short answer: identify your Craftsman by its full model number (the 113.xxxxxx style), then match the lift parts to that model’s column diameter and rack geometry. Craftsman parts are model-specific, so the model number, not the brand, is what determines fit. On older machines, be ready for a parts hunt or a restoration approach.

Why the model number, not the brand, decides fit

Craftsman was a retail brand, and its drill presses were built by several makers across generations. That means column diameters, rack tooth pitch, and mounting all vary between models. A table lift for one Craftsman will not mesh on another.

Your model number, typically in the 113.xxxxxx format on Sears-era machines, is the key. The owner’s manual for a model like the 113.213850 lists the parts, the spindle and taper details, and the assembly, which is exactly what you need to match a lift component. Start from that manual and parts breakdown.

Know your machine’s specifics

Beyond the lift itself, knowing your machine’s taper and setup helps when sourcing parts and doing the work. Restoration accounts of these older Craftsman presses walk through the spindle assembly, the taper pin, the center and motor pulleys, the torsion spring and spring cap, and the head casting, all context that helps you understand how the table and lift relate to the rest of the machine before you start replacing pieces.

The honest limitation: many Craftsman presses are decades old and their exact parts are discontinued. When the original lift part is gone, your options are a salvaged part from the same model, a machined replacement, or a restoration that reconditions the existing mechanism rather than replacing it.

Identify and measure before ordering

• Full model number. The 113.xxxxxx style identifies the exact machine and its parts list.
• Column diameter. Caliper it; the lift collar, rack, and pinion all depend on it.
• Rack geometry. Tooth pitch and length must match the pinion and the travel.
• The failed piece. Identify whether the rack, pinion, crank, or lock failed so you order the right part.

Replace the part versus recondition versus reduce the load

Against replacing the lift part, reconditioning the existing mechanism, cleaning, de-burring, and re-greasing, often restores smooth motion on an old machine when no new part exists. And if the trouble is a heavy table that sags, reducing the load by fitting a lighter upgrade top can ease the lift’s job. None of these fully substitutes for the right part, but each is a realistic path on a vintage press. You can compare general drill press replacement parts with a lighter drill press table with fence to reduce strain.

Setting up the repair

1. Find your full 113.xxxxxx model number and pull its parts breakdown.
2. Measure the column diameter and identify the failed lift component.
3. Source the matching part, a salvaged one, or plan to recondition the mechanism.
4. Support the table so it cannot drop, then work with the power off.
5. Reassemble so the lift turns smoothly and locks firmly, and re-square the table before drilling.

Who should read this

If your Craftsman table sags or the crank slips, identify the model first, since the brand name will not find the part. If your machine is a decades-old Sears press, weigh reconditioning against a long search for a discontinued part.

Bottom line

A Craftsman drill press table lift is matched by model, not brand, because Craftsman spanned many machines. Find your full 113.xxxxxx number, measure the column, and match, salvage, or recondition the lift accordingly. On these older presses, understanding the machine and being open to reconditioning often beats hunting for a long-gone original.

• Craftsman is a retail brand across many models; match the lift by model number.
• Measure the column diameter and identify the exact failed part.
• On vintage presses, reconditioning or a lighter top may beat a discontinued part.

FAQ

Are Craftsman drill press table lifts interchangeable? No. Craftsman spanned many models by different makers, so column diameters and rack geometry vary. Match the lift to your specific model.

Where is my model number? Usually on a plate on the machine, in the 113.xxxxxx format on Sears-era presses. It identifies the exact model and its parts list.

What should I measure? The column diameter and the rack tooth pitch and length, plus which lift component actually failed, so you order the correct part.

What if the part is discontinued? Look for a salvaged part from the same model, a machined replacement, or recondition the existing mechanism rather than replacing it.

My table sags. Can I just reduce the load? Fitting a lighter upgrade top eases the lift’s job, which can help. It does not fix a broken lift but reduces the strain on it.

How do I keep the table from dropping during repair? Support it from below and work with the power off, so it cannot fall while you service the lift.

References

• Craftsman 113.213850 Owner’s Manual: https://craftsman.manymanuals.com/power-tools/113-213850/owners-manual-4808/21
• Craftsman Drill Press Restoration: https://veryhappyrobot.com/projects/drill-press-restoration/
• WEN 24 x 12-Inch Drill Press Table with Adjustable Fence and Stop Block: https://wenproducts.com/products/24-by-12-inch-drill-press-table-with-an-adjustable-fence-and-stop-block-t
• IBUILDIT Drill Press Table Plans: https://ibuildit.ca/plans/drill-press-table/
• Woodsmith Drill Press Table Plan: https://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/pw-drill-press-table/