I had a friend growing up who was tall. I think he ended up around 6’8″. You always wanted him on your basketball team. In fact, you wanted him on your team for just about every sport, except for maybe crab soccer where the smaller, more nimble guys like me could excel. Most of the time his height was an advantage. But sometimes he suffered the fate of everyone who has to use a product that was designed with someone else in mind. His desk at school may be uncomfortably small. By high school it was hard for him to find shoes. Every once in a while I wonder what kind of car he drives. I’m sure his choices are severely limited.
I’m guessing he often curses the people that design things. I probably would too. But I also feel for the designer. Then again, I’m average height and weight and right handed. But sometimes I wonder about the decisions made on tool designs. A lot of the thicker handled cordless drills are just small enough for me to use comfortably. I’m sure people with small hands can’t (use them comfortably that is.) There are other factors too. The trade off between weight and power. If you’re stronger than average you’d probably like to see that balance go toward power. And the opposite is true too. I’ve seen some chucks that are easier to work with small hands because the two areas you have to grip are close together.
Back to my friend. I never worry whether he can find clothes. There are stores that cater to people like him. Shoes? I’m sure the Internet has helped immensely with that problem and in finding a lot of other niche products too. And I’m sure he eventually finds a car that is comfortable. But in all of these things his choices are limited. Most of the products just aren’t for him.
Back to cordless tools. Most of the drills I can think of are quite similar. That is, manufacturers seem to design for the middle, the type of hand that 90% of people have. If you have bigger or smaller hands, I’m sure you can find a drill. There are smaller drills and larger drills. But the 5 best 18 volt cordless drills I can think of are all designed for the middle. You’ll have to choose something other than the 5 best.
This isn’t a rant. I’m not saying that manufacturers should change their design process. (Although, I would like to see more quality niche products.) This is just me thinking about the design process and the people who have to use the products that have been designed. So I’d like to hear your stories of tools you couldn’t use or were uncomfortable and the alternatives you went with.
, and I’ve started to think about what I can make my son for Christmas. Last year I made him a “cubby house.” It’s 3 levels, made of plywood, and mostly covered in carpet. He used it some last year, but it’s the kind of thing you use in the winter when you can’t go outside. We’ll see how much he uses it this winter.