Power tools for smaller hands

November 2, 2024 6:17 AM

Are there any generalisations amongst power-tool brands regarding size of grip? I am looking to make ergonomic choices regarding weight and grip-size to ensure my toolshop is accessible for women and younger people or others with smaller hands. Bonus: is there a good site where I can pop in tools for side-by-side comparison?

I don't have the ability to get hands-on with tools generally before buying, but have to buy online. I am looking at stuff from, amongst others, Dewalt, Makita and Ryobi. I use Ryobi tools at home myself and find them a good hand-fit, but am unsure if they would hold up to public usage.

posted by J.R. Hartley to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (9 answers total)

This list from Tinkering School is a common resource for museums and maker spaces.
posted by leastlikelycowgirl at 6:26 AM on November 2

Best answer: My wife’s hands aren’t super small, but we have found the Milwaukee M12 series of tools work a lot better for her- and we have done a TON of work with them.
posted by rockindata at 7:31 AM on November 2 [2 favorites]

Best answer: The Torque Test Channel sells digital merch in the form of a comprehensive spreadsheet that compares power tools from all the major manufacturers. You probably don't care about the torque rankings but the spreadsheet also compares weights and sizes, which could be useful. They also have thumbnail images. It's also just a good list of tools and model numbers for further research.
posted by Rhomboid at 8:21 AM on November 2

Best answer: M12 is good for this, and the DeWalt Atomic line is designed to be smaller and lighter weight.
posted by aramaic at 8:44 AM on November 2

I spent a bit of time doing commercial/industrial construction and the primary solution was DeWalt and sometimes Hilti. I also hate heavy tools and have come to prize reliability, particularly regarding the batteries. So I have replaced all of my personal DeWalt tools with Hilti, primarily the 12v line. The regional sale rep for Hilti is lovely to deal with, and when I’m looking for something they will send over a list of available reconditioned and demo units. I spring the $ for new batteries, and in my view that is primarily what I am buying. The tool will outlast the battery and Hiltis batteries are the best. And the Hilti batteries are relatively affordable and available at Home Depot. The refurb tools might have a scuff or two but they are backed by Hilti and I’ve had zero issues with mine. It’s a bit old fashioned to call a human to get a part or warranty repair, but they have always been quicker than my needs. Plus they will have and know about everything.

I also have a couple of 18v from Makita. Again, reconditioned units, but these are from an independent shop named CPO. Apart from the hot gun mark/label they look brand new.
posted by zenon at 9:54 AM on November 2

Just a grandfatherly comment: don’t be complacent about power tools and kids. Some tools are quite easy to injure yourself with, with copious torque, potential for kickback, etc., and kids are kind of convinced they’re invulnerable. Make sure you have right-size eye protection and think twice about letting kids use an angle grinder or circular saw.

I’m not saying you’re not safety-conscious, but after my son-in-law cut his wrist balancing my power miter saw on a light folding chair to cut some trim, I decided it’s easier to over-warn and listen to the “okay, boomer” comments. Other than my native nattering negativity, I applaud your plan—more people need to know how to make things.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 10:30 AM on November 2 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: I'm looking to go corded for various reasons. The weights in the excel help, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to have grip info, or indeed the item I'm looking for at the moment, a router that is good for smaller hands and can be inverse mounted.
posted by J.R. Hartley at 4:05 PM on November 2

Some things will be cordless even if you go mostly corded, I'm unaware of a corded impact driver for instance. In this I've generally found Makita to be better than Milwaukee and a better and lighter fit for my medium sized hands. They are the two top professional level brands here and I don't have much exposure to others.

For things like routers that are corded I think you'd have to have very small hands indeed for any tool to be a problem. I have a Hitachi TR12 router, which was the standard thing in every workshop for ages. I think someone with child's hands could use it but the difficulties come with its function, it's a brute of a thing that will last forever and go through anything. No one finds it particularly ergonomic but that's not a function of how big their hands are. FWIW I used identical ones when I was 16, which is about as young as I'd want to go with such a tool.

I've worked with a lot of women using tools, none have needed (or indeed wanted) special treatment in tool selection.
posted by deadwax at 5:03 PM on November 3

Mod note: Comment removed. Please keep in mind what OP is asking and avoid derails, such as the conversation about safety, thanks!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 11:12 AM on November 16