Drilling into metal, wood and other materials can be tough, especially if you have nothing to anchor it in place. A drill press helps you drill holes into almost any type of material both quickly and efficiently. There are two major types of drill presses: floor and benchtop. Although floor models can tackle bigger projects, benchtop drill presses take up less space and can handle most drilling tasks with ease.

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure your drill press can handle the challenges you’ll put in front of it. That generally means versatility. Drill presses with speed control built in make it easy to switch from one speed to another to customize your drilling power. You should also look at how many options you’ll have for speeds. Some drill presses only have a couple of speed settings, while others give you the option of as many as 16 speeds.

Weight is another factor. Drill presses usually aren’t portable items, so heavier can actually be better. It will provide a sturdiness you’ll need when working with heavy-duty metals. But some bench drill presses are much larger than others, so make sure you have room for the model you choose.

Your first concern when you buy your drill press will be setting it up. Weight factors into this. You may invest in a heavier drill press due to the stability it provides when tackling tougher jobs, but keep in mind that you may need help when it’s time to set it up. A 300 pound-plus drill press will be tough to tackle alone.

There are many little things that add up to accuracy when drilling. One is the type of drill bits and chucks you use, but another is simply the ability to see what you’re doing. Many drill presses have lights to illuminate your work area. So be sure to look for that, especially if your shop isn’t well lit. Some drill bits have a built-in scale to help you choose the depth and keep things consistent throughout a project.

Lastly, there’s the issue of price. You can pay more than $1,000 for a drill press, but you can also find them in the low hundreds. Determine your budget and exactly how much you’re willing to spend. You may find some of the more advanced features aren’t worth the extra money.