Craftsman 113213170 17" drill press Parts

A good horsepower depends on what you drill most often. For typical home shop work, 1/2 HP to 3/4 HP is a strong, practical range; for frequent large bits, hard metals, or heavy hole-saw use, 1 HP or more helps. Your Craftsman 113213170 drill press is rated at a maximum developed 1 1/2 HP.

How to choose the right HP for your work

Horsepower matters most when you push larger diameter bits, drill thicker stock, or drill tougher materials. More HP helps maintain spindle speed under load, which reduces stalling and overheating.

• Woodworking and light metal (small to medium bits): 1/2 HP to 3/4 HP
• Regular metalworking (larger bits, step bits, frequent use): 3/4 HP to 1 HP
• Heavy-duty drilling (large hole saws, thick steel, production-style use): 1 HP+
• If you already own the Craftsman 113213170, you have power headroom for many demanding tasks when you use the correct speed and sharp bits (see the owner's manual).

Power is only part of the story (speed control matters)

Even a higher-HP drill press can struggle if the belt speed is too fast for the bit and material. The Craftsman 113213170 uses a belt-and-pulley system with 16 spindle speeds from 200 to 3630 RPM, which is a big advantage for matching speed to the job.

Task type	Typical approach	What to prioritize
Large bits in wood	Lower speed, steady feed	Torque, sharp bit, clamping
Drilling steel	Low speed, cutting fluid	Correct RPM, firm feed
Small bits	Higher speed	Runout control, bit quality

Quick checklist before you “buy more HP”

• Use the lowest practical RPM for larger bits and harder metals.
• Keep bits sharp; dull bits mimic “low horsepower.”
• Clamp the workpiece and use a backup board to prevent grabbing and tear-out.
• Set belt tension correctly so the belt does not slip under load.
• Use a dedicated, properly grounded outlet and correct circuit protection as described in the owner's manual.

Why it matters

Choosing the right horsepower helps you drill cleaner holes with less stalling, less heat, and better control. In real use, correct RPM selection, belt setup, and bit condition often improve results more than jumping to a bigger motor.

Last updated: February 2026

On the Craftsman 113213170 17" drill press, spindle repair usually means removing the quill assembly, inspecting the spindle taper and bearings, then replacing worn spindle bearings or the spindle if it’s bent. Use the owner's manual for the correct disassembly order and safety steps.

Before you start (safety and setup)

• Unplug the drill press before any adjustment or disassembly.
• Do not wear gloves, loose clothing, jewelry, or a necktie; tie back long hair.
• Lower the table for clearance and support the head and quill parts as you remove them.
• Clamp and support workpieces during testing to reduce kickback risk.
• If any safety device, switch, or cord is damaged, stop and repair that first.

Spindle repair steps (typical process)

1. Remove the chuck and any guards needed to access the quill/spindle area.
2. Prevent the quill from dropping; then remove the quill retaining hardware and slide the quill out.
3. Separate the spindle from the quill and inspect:
   • Spindle taper (rust, oil, scoring)
   • Spindle bearings (roughness, play, noise)
   • Pulley retaining nut and pulley set screws (loose hardware can mimic bearing problems)
4. Replace worn spindle bearings; if the spindle is bent or the taper is damaged, replace the spindle.
5. Reassemble, then verify smooth quill travel and correct return action.

Quick diagnosis guide (what you’re fixing)

Symptom	Most common cause	What to do
Wobble or runout at the bit	Bent drill bit or worn spindle bearings	Try a straight bit; replace bearings if play remains
Chuck falls off or slips	Dirty or oily tapers	Clean chuck and spindle tapers with household detergent; reinstall
Quill does not return smoothly	Quill return spring tension issue	Adjust spring tension per manual

Why it matters

A worn bearing or dirty taper can cause wobble, poor hole accuracy, and higher kickback risk. A smooth, tight spindle and properly returning quill help the drill press cut cleanly and safely.

Last updated: February 2026

On a drill press, the 4-inch rule means we keep our hands and fingers at least 4 inches away from the rotating drill bit, chuck, and spindle while drilling. On the Craftsman 113213170 17" drill press, this works with the manual’s core safety guidance: secure the work and avoid any setup work while the tool is rotating.

How to apply the 4-inch rule safely

• Clamp the workpiece to the table or hold it in a vise; do not hand-hold small parts.
• Use a scrap backer board under the work to reduce grabbing and tear-out.
• Use a brush or a stick to clear chips; never use your fingers near the bit.
• Stop the drill press completely before measuring, adjusting the table, or repositioning the work.
• Remove the switch key when you step away so the drill press cannot be started accidentally.

Related safety rules from the Craftsman 113213170 manual

The owner's manual reinforces several habits that support the 4-inch rule, including:

Safety habit	What it prevents	When to do it
Turn power off and wait for a complete stop	Accidental contact with the rotating tool	Before any adjustment or cleanup
Do not do layout, assembly, or setup on the table while rotating	Thrown workpiece, tool contact	Any time the bit is spinning
Use only approved accessories and correct speeds	Broken accessories, thrown parts	Before drilling or sanding
Keep the drill press stable (bolt down if needed)	Tipping, shifting, loss of control	During installation and heavy use

Why it matters

Most drill press injuries happen at the point of operation: the bit can grab the workpiece, pull material upward, or spin it unexpectedly. Keeping a 4-inch buffer gives you reaction time and reduces the chance your hand gets pulled into the rotating chuck or bit.

Last updated: February 2026

You can buy replacement parts for your Craftsman 113213170 17-inch drill press directly through Sears PartsDirect by searching the model number and matching the part number to the drill press parts list in the owner's manual. This helps you order the correct item the first time.

Best way to get the right part for model 113213170

We recommend using the parts diagrams and parts lists for this exact model, then ordering by the listed part number (not the diagram key number). The manual for this drill press includes repair parts breakdowns and ordering guidance.

• Confirm the model number is 113213170 on the tool’s ID label
• Use the repair parts lists and diagrams in the owner's manual
• Write down the part number you need (example categories: belt, chuck, spindle bearing)
• Match the description to the correct assembly (spindle/quill, pulleys/belt, table/column)
• Order the replacement using the model-based parts listing on Sears PartsDirect

Common drill press parts people replace

These are typical wear or service items on a Craftsman drill press like the 113213170:

Part type	What it affects	Common symptom
V-belt	Speed changes, power transfer	Slipping, squealing, poor torque
Chuck and arbor	Bit holding, runout	Bit wobble, chuck won’t seat
Spindle/quill bearings	Smooth drilling	Noise, vibration, rough feed
Table clamp and elevation parts	Table stability	Table drifts, won’t lock

Why it matters

Ordering by the correct model number and part number prevents fit issues and repeat downtime. This is especially important on a drill press because parts like belts, bearings, and chuck/arbor interfaces must match the original dimensions to run true and safely.

Last updated: February 2026

Drill press “size” is usually the swing: twice the distance from the center of the spindle (chuck) to the center of the column. That swing equals the largest diameter workpiece you can drill in the center without hitting the column; confirm your Craftsman 113213170 details in the owner's manual.

How to measure swing on your drill press

• Unplug the drill press and remove the switch key.
• Lower the quill so the chuck is easy to reference.
• Measure from the center of the chuck/spindle straight back to the center of the column.
• Multiply that measurement by 2 to get the swing.
• If you cannot find the exact spindle center, measure from the front of the column to the spindle center, then add half the column diameter.

What “size” can also mean (common drill press specs)

Different listings use “size” differently. Here are the most common meanings:

Spec people call “size”	What it describes	Why it matters
Swing	Max centered workpiece diameter	Clearance to drill the middle of a round piece
Throat depth	Spindle-to-column distance	Same measurement used to calculate swing
Spindle speeds	RPM range and number of speeds	Matching speed to bit size and material
Chuck capacity	Largest shank the chuck grips	Determines what drill bits/accessories fit

Why it matters

Knowing the swing helps you choose the right setup for larger workpieces and prevents the stock from contacting the column during drilling. It also helps when comparing a “17-inch drill press” class tool to smaller bench-top models.

Related setup checks that affect usable capacity

• Table position and height (raise/lower with the table crank)
• Table tilt (use the bevel scale and lock it securely)
• Depth stop setting (use the depth scale and depth scale lock)
• Speed selection (use the belt and pulley chart inside the belt guard)

Last updated: February 2026