I am sure most of you have heard by now – a Lowe’s executive is in hot water this week for saying that a specific cordless drill was perfect for “some of our Hispanic pros with smaller hands.” The comment was made in a corporate video that was distributed to Lowe’s store managers.
Store associates found the comment objectionable, and the video was leaked to online media. The executive, Joe McFarland, executive VP of stores, has apologized and released appropriate statements.
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But, let’s talk about the Dewalt cordless drill they were referring to as being a nice match for small hands.
I have medium-sized hands, which I guess could be considered small when you consider that stores seem to only carry promo packs of gloves in large and extra-large sizing. Some cordless drills have better ergonomics, in my opinion, and Dewalt’s 12V Max and 20V Max drills are in that group.
A lot of ToolGuyd readers have commented about their drill preferences over the years. Some prefer drills with slimmer handles, like Dewalt’s, others prefer drills with thicker handles, and some don’t have much of a preference – a drill is a drill.
When talking about 12V-class cordless drills, there are still two very different form factors. Bosch and Milwaukee have a stem-style battery pack that is partially inserted into their 12V-class cordless power tools, while Dewalt and Makita have slide-style battery packs that attach at the bottom.
12V-class cordless drills and other power tools with stem-style batteries tend to be more compact height-wise, while those with slide-style batteries are unavoidably taller. Drills that accept stem-style batteries have to be able to accommodate battery packs within their handles, leading to a minimal size and specific geometry must be adhered to. Bosch and Milwaukee have worked hard to improve their 12V-class drills and other tools with each new generation. Still, Dewalt’s 12V Max cordless drills have even slimmer handles since their batteries connect at the bottom and not inside them.
Pro or DIY users with smaller hands, regardless of gender, race, ancestry, or ethnicity, might find Dewalt’s Xtreme Subcompact cordless drills more comfortable than other brands’.
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In my opinion, it’s a very good drill at great pricing, especially considering it has a brushless motor and that the kit comes with (2) 2.0Ah batteries.
Specifications:
- 3/8″ chuck
- 15 clutch settings
- 250 UWO max power*
- 0-425/0-1500 RPM
- 5.97″ length
- Weighs 1.9 lbs
* Read More: Dewalt Cordless Power Tools, UWO, and Torque – Here’s What it all Really Means
Kit: DCD701F2, comes with (2) 2.0Ah batteries, charger, carrying bag
Price: $99
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(via Lowes)
Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
Some of the other Dewalt Xtreme Subcompact cordless power tool kits are also $99. The drill and impact driver combo kit is $149.
Do you prefer cordless drills with slimmer handles, thicker handles, or do you not have a preference?
Joe Hanson
I wish stores like Home Depot and Lowes would have size small gloves in other brands and types than generic goat skin leather gardening gloves typically. Also I have trouble finding rubber chemical resistant gloves in size small for the better brands locally. I hear Harbor Freight has decent rubber gloves for a good price but they also don’t seem to stock size small gloves locally either. I pretty much have to always order gloves online.
David
I agree. Try finding medium or small(depending on the glove). I do find various sizes at Menards, Fleet farm too. On a different topic try finding a size 7 shoe(especially boots).
Vards Uzvards
Having medium-sized hands, couple days ago decided to try out nitrile gloves sold by HD, which are only available in size L:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Firm-Grip-Nitrile-Dip-Gloves-5-Pair-5558/205644545
Turns out, they are exactly the same size as Medium-sized women’s gloves from Wells Lamont:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01IHGROVQ/
gregg
I have the opposite issue. My local HD never have xxl gloves
Altan
I don’t understand why when somebody talks about the differences between races is going to be in hot water, we all know all that the races have differences, that does not mean some races are lower than others, after Olympics Athens 2004 they said no black man will win a medal in swimming in Olympics history because of their anatomic structure of their body, but we all know that no white (almost no white) can not win a medal in Sprint/Running also. Countries like China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia have average IQ level of 105 and Europe has average IQ level of 100, these are facts, you talk about them or not they are not going to change. You Americans are luck as your country is so mixed and that gives you a little bit of everything. I assume Americans in general are healthy by their genetics also, some ethnics genetically were already mixed before migrating to US and some got mixed there. My brother had small hands also, my hands are big, but his IQ level was a bit higher than me, he can do a few things at the same time, but if I do I become stressed so I prefer to concentrate on one thing only. We all should find out what we are good in and concentrate on that, not concentrate on useless things.
Stuart
Let’s only talk about the drill, please.
It was an unfortunate comment that upset Lowes associates and then the general public. We can talk about it all day, but ultimately what matters is that Lowes associates found it to be offensive or objectionable. I haven’t read much about the public response, but the tone of all of the news coverage suggests general public belief that it crossed the line of propriety.
Altan
I am not with you about this 🙂 but I understand your concerns also, so when you think I am going to pass the border please remind me. I did talk about this because it was mentioned in the beginning of the post otherwise I am always with talking about tools here. What I meant was that modern people are a bit too much just looking for some excuse/subject/person to blame/put down/etc. for very small things, kind of there is nothing more important to talk about. I wanted to explain more but I am going to end it here as this is not going to be about tools. You can always remind me if I go off topic and you don’t need to ask it with please and in a kind way, not with me and not with others I believe :)) Rules are rules and everybody should obey. I like strict admins!
Thanks
Chris
Well said!
Joee
There is no need to say hispanics in that sentence period.
Stuart
Agreed.
But plenty of news outlets already discussed his comments, store associate and public reactions, and his apology. I wanted this post to only be able the tool.
ca
Then why mention the comments at all?
Logir
Agreed. Sometimes it’s hard to take stuart seriously. Especially seeing some of the comments here.
Stuart
Sorry you feel that way.
While it might be an interesting discussion, there’s a 99% chance that open discussion about the executive’s comments would result in considerable comment moderation workload. You don’t see the off-topic political comments that hit the moderation panel.
All the news channels are focusing on the exec’s words and apology, but nobody has been covering the drill. It seemed interesting to me and maybe an interesting path for anyone who been following the news stories.
Altan
No, I don’t think so. Stuart is doing a job that is not going to make everybody happy, because it is not possible to keep everybody happy. I have done something similar a decade ago and always some were unhappy. Instead of thinking how much use they have from his work and how much time he spends and effort he had here some just are looking for excuses to blame for small things. We are not going to be perfect but we can try to see the total outcome. So lets stop this here and go to the tool itself.
Stuart
Because a lot of people emailed in about the news and there were a ton of news stories, but nobody has been talking about the drill.
Altan
If you think that way you can delete my comments, I find it kind of time waste for all of us that we discuss something else continuously rather than discussing the tool itself. I don’t want to be part of that and I am sorry if I have caused it. I see a lot of comments about this issue, it is not that I can not discuss further about it but I can not be off topic more than this. I extremely believe in professional discussion which minimizes people from being off topic. Of course we can not clarify the borders easily for this but we can try our best.
Stuart
Your comment was fine. =)
Your post was off-topic in support of me, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
That’s also not the type of off-topic post I’m talking about.
I have to do a lot of moderation with regular post comments. If a topic is anywhere close to any political topic, keeping things civil is so much hardee.
On just about a daily basis, there’s name-calling, personal attacks, bullying, off-topic soap-boxing that seems to further personal agendas, and sometimes a combination of all that. Maybe 98% of those comments are from first-time commentors, and so it hits my moderation panel to be published, deleted, or marked as spam.
It’s never been this difficult to things civil. New readers and commentors are always welcome, but it sometimes takes time for them to realize that comments here aren’t as “wild west, anything goes” as elsewhere on the web. ToolGuyd readers are used to a comfortable comment environment, and I’m doing all I can to help maintain that type of friendly atmosphere, lest comments start looking like they do on YouTube.
Altan
Today I joined ToolTalk and there is more strict than here, I have already used the max limit today :))) and am not allowed to do anything more except reading ….
Stuart
It’s also not just new commentors who go way over the line with comments, I’ve had to warn a lot of people – including some regulars – about personal attacks and political agendas over the past few months.
We can’t have a civil conversation about politics or a lot of social topics, even political correctness. So, l have to avoid such topics and draw big lines around boundaries.
Comments were made, let’s talk about the drill and handle grip sizes related to current events.
But about the comments/news, experiences has proven that I need to block it off with a huge wall.
If we could have a civil discussion about it, that would be different. But can we? I’ve been disappointed into pessimism.
Sal
I disagree with you Joee. I am Hispanic and did not take any offense whatsoever.
In fact, I use size large. Two things bother me.
1, his information is incorrect. What he meant to say is “Mexican” or “South American”. He would be right. The term he could have used was “Asiatic” people. South American peoples are not Hispanic. They only speak Spanish. True Hispanics are from Europe. I am sure that most of everyone knows that the natives in North and South Americas come from Asia.
2, the last thing that bothers me is the fact that we can’t even speak about anything without someone getting bent out of shape. It is a sad state of affairs when we have to constantly watch what we say because some sjw somewhere might take offense to any little thing.
As an aside, it is common knowledge regarding video game systems like the Sega Genesis and Microsoft Xbox as well as the Sony playstation to have a lead time of between 3 to 6 months to make new controllers for the respective market they are going to release. The American market always got larger controllers and the Asian market got smaller controllers. That’s a fact that used to be discussed in game magazines years ago. You can online and pickup a Genesis and it’s Japanese
counterpart called the Megadrive an compare yourself.
Lastly, regarding the tool, even though I have large hands I prefer DeWalt’s handles because they feel just right. My second choice would probably be Bosch’s 12v line in regards to ergonomics.
joee
There is no need to specify an ethinc group on that statement. And yes I do find it offensive.
Sal
Then get used to it. You are much too sensitive and in this world you are going to go through a lot of heartache. And secondly, If I didn’t take offense, who are you to take offense on my behalf?
Joee
You responded to my comment saying you don’t think is offensive, but it is offensive to me, and I’m not taking anything on your behalf.
John Flores
Joee, im with you. He should have just said PEOPLE with small hands. No matter what color or race we’re just people.
Sam
I have had the Bosch 12v for years due to its lighter weight and size compared to others. However I recently bought into the new brush-less Dewalt 12v line. I have medium sized hands with a bit of hereditary early onset an arthritis. I found the stem-style handles to be increasing difficult to insert and remove batteries.
Aaron
I think what’s equally important is the size and location of the forward/reverse toggle switch. DeWalt may have the most comfortable handles but their switches tend to be just a bit too far away from the handle for my liking. They also have a tendency to stick halfway through the selection rather than a seemless transition. Bosch is perfect in this regard.
Matt J
Mixed bag for me. I do prefer the feel of the slimmer handles on the slide style packs, but I like the smaller space in the bag of the stem style. Given that we’re only really talking about 12V, I’d probably go with the stem style, with the idea that if I’m doing any kind of sustained, difficult work, I’ll reach for my 18V slide style tools, but if I’m just drilling a few holes or putting in a few screws, I’m not going to really notice or benefit from the slimmer handle in a 12V tool. In any event, having the Milwaukee dual M12/M18 charger has encouraged me into that line more than others.
Rob Stephenson
Early adopter of the M12 platform. Early enough that none were Fuel brushless.
Now that the Xtreme came out I decided to switch to them instead of upgrading to M12 Fuel on the items that overlap. So far, very happy with the Xtreme’s.
On a side note, I grabbed the 3/8 impact and then the screw driver from my local Lowes.
Then I completed the set with the drill/driver and 1/4 impact kit from CPO. $149!!!
AngryDrumGuy
My hands aren’t average- I have what is, in some glove sizes, an XL palm with M/L length fingers. DeWalt and M18 are more comfortable for me than M12, but I have a good M12 collection because it’s where I started (2011) and no other manufacturer was providing what Milwaukee delivered until now.
Milwaukee stuff overall has been great for me and only have one DeWalt 18V NiCad battery left in a drill, but am paying great attention to any new stuff from the Yellow Team.
I almost jumped on the Atomic Drill/Impact set until I saw all of the negativity about the impact. Still eyeing the drill, though. Looks great as an “oh @#$%” backup.
SP
I prefer slim handle and i think most users prefer slim. Can see it in many comments here and other blogs over the years.
The Bosch PS-41 (Today GDR 12V-105 in most parts of the world, and back then GDR 10.8 V-LI) impact driver is about 10 years old and still a very popular 12/10.8V tool, at least Europe and the mid east. Yet, I gave it away just becouse of the thick handle and never back to 12v tools. ( I still use 9-10 Bosh 18v power tools and I dont tend to work in tight places).
Many manufacturers moved from inserted style batteries to slide-on batteries (icluding Metabo and Hikoki / Metabo HPT that came out with new family of 12V tools in the recent months). Some of them still maintain the inserted style batteries.
I believe Milwaukee will introduce some time soon a slide style 10.8/12V battery-power tools and hope Bosch will do so too, but I dont develope too much expectations about the latter in the near future…
jason gloekler
I like the slimmer handles on my Dewalt 12v. I actually prefer the handle of my older 710 vs the new 701. Same for the 815/ 813 vs 801. And I dont have small hands, they just feel really comfortable.
Like anything, stuff like this is completely subjective. What one finds “this”, another may not or not even notice.
I sell vehicles and its the same thing.
Jay k.
I prefer smaller drills for the sheet metal work I do above me but, I do have to go online many times for gloves, because I prefer medium to grab my fasteners(screws) without having any wiggle room in the fingers… Otherwise I can’t hold them well…
Cr8on
I’m a large glove and think DeWalt’s grip is the most comfortable.
Mike
“Pro or DIY users with smaller handles. . . ” Would that be love handles or something else?
On serious note, being a smaller person, I appreciate the move towards more compact drills. Sold off my Ryobi drill and impact and bought Milwaukee compact drill simply because it was easier to grip.
Stuart
Whoops, thanks, fixed it!
Logir
Echoing other comments, why even mention the “controversy” if you want the discussion to be solely about the drill
Stuart
I assumed most readers have already heard or read about it ad nauseam.
Is this the first you’ve heard about it?
Logir
Yeah, dude. Had no idea. Bringing the comments up in the post made the comment rate jump for sure, but was detrimental to the type of conversation you like on the site as had been evidenced over years of reading your site.
You’re always quick to shut down political or any other talk that people can get upset over – and kudos for keeping it about the tools – and I think we might differ on views.
My point was just that including something you and others see as controversial was bound to bring comments that you typically distance Toolguyd from. I can include hispanic heritage and family ties etc but such qualifiers usually get paired up with weak arguments and appeals to emotion.
Stuart
In hindsight, whoops!
My phone pushes news stories to me that Google things I’m interested in, and every single day there was news article after news article about the comments and then the apology. I miscalculated and didn’t realize so many people weren’t being inundated with the same headlines. There wasn’t much to do after the fact but to treat this as a learning experience. What I really should have done was skip the topic, even though I wanted to look at the skinny tool handle angle, or give it more thorough treatment and just watch the comments more closely.
mmmtacos
Haha, well my wife’s small, Hispanic hands do like the new drill, for what it’s worth.
Nevertheless that’s a pretty dumb gaffe to make in today’s society, silly as it is, and reactionary as people are (Hispanic and otherwise alike). It doesn’t even make sense, anyway, like Hispanic people are the only people with small hands? Or they all have small hands?
For someone you’d assume to have more than a few brain cells to rub together you’d think he wouldn’t be so dumb as to say something like that. Oh well, welcome to 2019.
Brett
I still haven’t been able to get hands on those tools. My Ryobi 18V works well but is very large and heavy, especially with the 4 Ah batteries which are the only ones that don’t die after a few months.
Brett
Finally found them on display so I could get hands on them. Bought the drill & impact driver set. They’re pretty nice so far.
Patrick
Different sized hands and different options to make sense! I think the smaller handles seem more amenable to those with large hands vs. the Bosch and Milwaukee style (larger) feeling good for somebody with smaller hands. I love the feel of the Bosch 12v and 18v lines. Just personal preference. I totally see why the slide-style battery and slimmer grip would be preferred for others. It also has the ‘look’ of the more heavy duty 18/20v stuff.
Do you think the stem-style batteries are more prone to getting stuck inside the tool? If yes, that could be another nod in favor of the slide-style.
I’m also curious if there’s a chance we’ll see 18/20v go up to a 21/24v (yes, I know Kobalt exists) to gain some differentiation from the 10.8/12v stuff….or simply to keep selling tools once the 18/20v market is completely saturated. 12v has gotten pretty dang good that it kinda competes with 18v. With the addition of another cell, you could also sneak in some sort of Flexcell type battery so somebody could have a light 2ah battery for their 21/24v impact while using that same battery on their 10.8/12v saw and having 6 ah for something a little more power hungry. The slide-style interface could be used with both. The same charger could be used too.
How did I get to that? Weird. Keep doing what you do and have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Patrick
Obviously I meant 4 ah instead of 2 ah. Oops.
Altan
I use the brushed screwdriver of this line and it is amazing, just I hope they will come up with larger capacity batteries like Makita 4Ah 12V batteries, the 3Ah that they recently released is not enough, I want 4 or 5 Ah. I am tall with big hands but I don’t want to make myself tired with a bigger tool if I am going to screw in wood and plasterboard, these tools are enough, also I do use it for drilling in wood and it is good for holes up to 8-10mm. They should develop this line with making more 12V tools, I need a 12V tile cutter!
Jeff
My mom is Hispanic, my dad white. I think I’m gonna get this drill, bit I’d only feel comfortable using it 50% of the time.
GEORGE MICHENER
Nice!!!
DC
Should have said “small Asian hands…”. I’m Asian with small hands and would welcome tools that fits in nicely in my hands.
Mr. Creek
I’m a full blown Mexican American (Hispanic), I own over $10,000.00 of Dewalt products. I shop at Lowes and Home Depot. I don’t find the Lowes VP comments offensive at all. It will not change my purchasing decisions. I do however; find it hilarious. Even more funny is the comments, too this post. Thanks Stuart for this article, I needed the laughter. Everyone take a deep breath and realize we are all the same color when we turn off the light switch.
Mahalo
I have fairly large hands–at least need XL gloves for sure–and I prefer the DeWalt ergonomics to the stick battery units. In 12V, the larger handles on Milwaukee and Bosch are a turnoff, which is disappointing because of otherwise fantastic reviews regarding their performance. (P.S., I’m Hispanic and this has had no impact on my preference)
Sam Greenfield
I think it would be interesting if you could buy different size grips for power drills, just like you have different size gloves and such. Are there any manufacturers who support swapping out the grip itself?
Stuart
That would be an interesting idea!
When I bought an inexpensive pistol-grip RC transmitter, it came with a couple of different inserts to build up the handle to suit personal comfort preferences. I wonder if something like that could be done with drill and tool grips.
Kizzle
A lot of handguns have this too.
Mrs. M.
I see this is an old post, but it’s the only post I could find about Dewalt and small hand size. I’m a woman and finding tools ergonomically correct is tough.
Do you know if the Dewalt 20v MAX XR brushless drill and impact driver are a good size for small hands?
Stuart
They should be.
I have smaller hands and really like Dewalt’s grip. If their ergonomics don’t work for you, there are not going to be many other brands that provide a better fit.
If you don’t need a lot of power, Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme Subcompact tools also have great ergonomics and are still very capable.
Home Depot stores should have some 20V Max tools on display, and Lowe’s stores should have some 20V Max and 12V Max tools on display.
Mrs. M.
Thanks for the quick response!
We went with the 20v MAX XR… don’t have it in hand yet, as we had to get a rain check. But, this article and line of comments was the best information I could find online about cordless tools and hand size.
Thanks, Stuart, for the article and starting a conversation about it!