Craftsman Drill

[pilot199]

I've got a Craftsman 3/8 VSR drill that dates back to 1977 or so.
Model # 315.11480.

Anyone know a good source for finding a new trigger switch? Sears no longer makes it available but somebody manufactured them for Sears at some point & I'm thinking their must still be some around.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[torqueman2002]

Try: http://www.ereplacementparts.com/

 

[exmaxima1]

Any suggestions are appreciated.

No offense, but IMHO those are the ugliest drills I've ever seen, and I would view the switch failure as an opportunity to get a new drill.

I would suggest a used Dewalt (either yellow or the Sears black version), or Milwaukee "hole shooter". Both brands offer much better balance and ergonomics.

Something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeWalt-DW106-3-8-Corded-Drill-/281297300672?pt=Drills&hash=item417ea02cc0

 

[exmaxima1]

This is the Dewalt I would buy:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011XSEW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$56 Delivered!

 

[skruft]

I hope you can find a switch - perhaps look for a beat up drill at the flea market.

I am surprised it still works. I had poor luck with Craftsman drills of that period. They worked fine but failed very quickly.

 

[torqueman2002]

I've got a Craftsman 3/8 VSR drill that dates back to 1977 or so.
Model # 315.11480.

Does it look like this?

Here's a complet 1 for $25 + S&H.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sears-Craftsman-3-8-Electric-Drill-Model-No-315-11480-Made-in-USA-/271440148531?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f3317f833

 

[pilot199]

That's it torqueman. This was the first drill I owned as a kid & was a gift from my folks around 1977 or so.

I'm sure that some third party manufacturer supplied these to Sears but can't find any info. on it as Sears no longer makes it available. May have to go the salvage route to get one.

Thanks,

Gary

 

[alandsburg]

I have one of these. It has been a workhorse. Although I have more modern drills, they have chucks that hand tighten and the drill slips whenever there is load. My grandson dropped it the other week resulting in the cord being separated from the drill. While I have worked on it many times I never noticed how the power supply wires attached so am wondering if you can tell me? Do the both go to the switch (seems unlikely)? How do I reattach them? If I cant get it back together perhaps I will have an extra switch (and other parts) to dispose of?

Alex

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I've got a Craftsman 3/8 VSR drill that dates back to 1977 or so.
Model # 315.11480.

Anyone know a good source for finding a new trigger switch? Sears no longer makes it available but somebody manufactured them for Sears at some point & I'm thinking their must still be some around.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

The first three digits of the part number indicate the original manufacturer. 315 is Diehl Manufacturing.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1954

These drills sold in huge numbers and I think the best source for another switch is another drill.

 

[DWise]

I bought mine in the early 70's and it is still going strong.

 

[monomach]

Can't blame a guy for wanting to repair that rather than replace it. Those things are nice. My dad's had one since I was a toddler. It was the first drill I ever used. It's outlasted three houses, two wives, and seven cars...still runs perfectly. He uses a cordless for most things now, but that's still the go-to when he's in the workshop.

 

[Zeke]

I have one of these. It has been a workhorse. Although I have more modern drills, they have chucks that hand tighten and the drill slips whenever there is load. My grandson dropped it the other week resulting in the cord being separated from the drill. While I have worked on it many times I never noticed how the power supply wires attached so am wondering if you can tell me? Do the both go to the switch (seems unlikely)? How do I reattach them? If I cant get it back together perhaps I will have an extra switch (and other parts) to dispose of?

Alex

both wires from the cord don't go through the switch.

 

[neo_Evanston]

I have one of these. It has been a workhorse. Although I have more modern drills, they have chucks that hand tighten and the drill slips whenever there is load. My grandson dropped it the other week resulting in the cord being separated from the drill. While I have worked on it many times I never noticed how the power supply wires attached so am wondering if you can tell me? Do the both go to the switch (seems unlikely)? How do I reattach them? If I cant get it back together perhaps I will have an extra switch (and other parts) to dispose of?

Alex

I was researching a source for replacement switch too, but I guess ~40 years is a lot to expect. I'll keep my drill for another year or so and check back here.

BUT, as your drill may still be working, I attach some pictures of the wiring

And you can clearly read all of the lettering. Unfortunately, the switch doesn't really have a part number, SG seems to be manufacturer, CH is something else and other meaningful markings are 5A 125 V on one side, and BI-RISTOR on the other.

Front view of switch

http://tinypic.com/r/x1wxmr/8


Back view

http://tinypic.com/r/5cyq9f/8

OK, this took way too long! Good luck.

Incidentally, I also checked at ereplacmentparts.com and they had the same parts that are available on the sears parts website. NO switch available.

AND ... I'm sure the motor on this is fine. Is there typically anyone in a community that can benefit from dropping this off? More that copper value? Experimenters, but needing 125V doesn't sound like what the modern experimenter would want. Ideas? Thanks!!!

 

[LB-1911]

Another possible source is Eurton Electric

POWER TOOL SWITCHES
http://store.eurtonelectric.com/powertoolswitches.aspx

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