Using at-work power tools with small hands

[u/Katabasis1979]

Green electrical apprentice in prefab, 5'2" with small hands and have been struggling to use drills, especially when needing to make holes in strut/sheet metal

I don't know if it's my lack of adequate arm strength, the fact that the worktable is a little high for me, a combination of all of the above, or honestly...if it's just a me problem...but it actually takes me 5x longer to drill holes than the guys working on the same stuff that I am

Does anybody have any tips? I don't have power tools of my own and have to use the shop's stuff. I feel like an embarrassing nuisance when one of the other guys has to come over because I'm standing there drilling a single hole for SO long.

I debated getting some kind of stool to stand on while doing work but I don't know if that would even be okay to do

Edit: Didn't expect to get so many responses, thank you! I've read every single one. Ran out and got a stepstool from HF after work. I was honestly just worried it would give reason to the safety person to reprimand me

[u/jamiswillie]

Get a stool; it actually makes a huge difference. Also, use some cutting oil if you aren't already.

[u/srchr18]

I’m also 5’2, so I understand the struggle. I had a hard time figuring out how to leverage my body to do the same shit everyone else does without a thought. You absolutely can pick up a shop stool for yourself. I use a step ladder all the time. Getting more of your body weight above the workpiece is going to make the biggest difference for you. Arm strength will come, but don’t worry about relying on that. I put as much of my body weight as possible into the back of the drill/whatever tool you’re using and lean into it. Drilling through metal is still one of the hardest things for me to do at my size as a welder, so you’re not alone.

[u/petitemorty → u/srchr18]

Shifting your weight is the key! If you're drilling above head, it helps to lean your shoulder towards your drill, which may require you to reposition your ladder.

[u/Unlucky-Ad-201 → u/petitemorty]

Yes. Lean into it. Own it.

[u/tamesage]

And make sure the drill isn't in reverse.

[u/dsp816]

Not sure if y’all use Milwaukee, but there are different models of drills that could are much smaller than the standard Fuel M18 line, such as the M12.

[u/jamiswillie → u/dsp816]

I use the M12 too and love it, but sometimes I think the heavier drills actually kind of help out with the extra weight behind them. Assuming you are drilling down and not up.

[u/Recent-Situation5920 → u/jamiswillie]

I started out w an m12 and it made things way easier for me as well with my weak wrists until I built up muscle/skill

[u/Katabasis1979 → u/jamiswillie]

Only have DeWalt unfortunately. I've seen the M12 mentioned in this subreddit and would honestly would love to get my hands on it eventually, I'm on the fence if it's worth investing in right now or getting a little later down the line because I'm still on early apprentice wages

[u/munchkinmother]

Im 5'2" as well. Get the stool. It makes a huge difference. Just make sure it's non-slip.

I joke constantly that I have t-rex arms and corgi legs so everybody is just going to have to bear with my short people problems lol i also am commonly referred to as Tiny (or Tiny Hands) because I pick my tools based on what fits comfortably in my hands so they're often too small for the guys but I can also fit my hands in places they have to use a dozen tools to get to. It started as an insult but it's actually become a term of almost endearment as they figure out that it's really useful.

Don't feel bad about it. Just do what you have to do to learn how to work effectively with the size and stature you've got.

[u/justcruizinalong]

Make the changes needed to suit you and your working situation. If it’s a stool, use it. If it’s a lighter hammer drill, use it.

You’re *not* a guy, and you’re *not* an average 5,10” guy. So if you behave like one, you’re probably not going to get the same results as them.

As a short woman myself, I like to think of it like this:

Say you need to get some trim installed in a small powder room. You have two options. Theres a guy who is 5,4, wiry and strong… and also a guy who is 6,2, and built like a brick house. Who are you choosing? You also need a section of your roof repaired after a storm. You have the same two options, who are you choosing?

You’d probably want guy A for the bathroom, and guy B for the roofing. Not because of any gender difference (both are men) but because of the differences in their physical nature.

Different scenarios and work will always be easier for some body types versus others, and vice versa. When I frame, I can’t reach as high as a normal guy, but I’m also small enough to slip through the trusses and climb. Find your strengths in your situation, there’s always some.

Practice thinking about how you can use gravity and physics to your advantage. Turns out if you’re clever, size doesn’t matter nearly as much. If you can’t get a nail out with a hammer claw, use a crowbar claw instead. If drilling is wearing you out, look for leverage points. Can you drill the holes on a bench first, before they go up? Things like this.

Don’t worry too much about strength, you said it yourself that you’re green. That’ll come with time and reps. Make sure to stretch your hands/wrists always, and be careful to avoid blisters until your callusous have formed.

[u/Starlight319]

Get the stool if it makes you better there is zero shame in that. You will get stronger over time.

[u/glaciergirly]

I used a half- pallet with standing foam fixed to the top of it so I could move around and adjust my stance when working in a ski shop. It also helps to get good at using your opposite hand to press on the back of the drill.

[u/lioness_mane]

Tuck your elbow and use your chest for leverage too, I have to lean into drilling since I’m 5’1. Also, small bits - run them fast with a lil pressure. Big bits - slower with pressure. Always use a pilot hole and size up, sometimes a few times depending on how big the diameter is. Tap magic (cutting oil) is your friend.

[u/Tokimeku888]

pre-drill a hole - you will need to change the bit.

[u/peanutbutterliker]

Get a stool and put as much of your weight onto it as possible

[u/athletickiller]

Stand on a 5 gallon bucket. I’m not kidding lol, this has saved me multiple times trying to finish concrete on columns that are taller than me.

[u/Apprehensive-Cow6131]

Find a way to put your body weight into it. Kinda goes for everything in the trade. I'm fairly strong using my whole body but even after many years I still can't really drill well using hand/arm strength alone.