I’ve been DIY renovating my house for the last 8 years, and during that time I’ve used power tools to undertake some pretty extreme projects. There’s no task I won’t attempt, from laying my own parquet floor to boarding out my loft.
Despite the fact that I never have enough time, and my bank balance is always running on empty, the aspect I find most frustrating about renovating a house is the inevitable point during a DIY project where I have to accept that I am the brains and my husband is the brawn.
As a female DIYer, I’ve found that most power tools on the market are either too big or heavy for me to use comfortably, effectively, and safely. I’m on a mission to put appropriate tools into the hands of like-minded women, so save yourself a lot of aches, pains and unfinished projects with my tried-and-tested power tool recommendations.
The power tools I trust as a female DIYer
1. Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Compact Cordless Brushless Combi Drill
This combi drill packs enough power to tackle masonry as well as the materials you’d expect any drill to work through, like metal, wood and plastic. It can also be used to drive screws.
I find myself reaching for this compact piece of kit time and time again. I’ve used mine to fit skirting boards, prepare subfloors, build a floor-to-ceiling bookcase in my spare room chimney breast, and to hang shelves, mirrors and wall cupboards.
I chose this model because Ryobi claims that it is 10% smaller than its predecessor, making it the perfect size for me to handle. The dimensions of this drill are small enough for me to be able to wrap my fingers around the barrel, alter the settings, and for my whole hand to comfortably reach around the handle while operating the variable speed trigger – all without straining.
With the battery pack attached the drill is still light enough for me to work at height, and well-balanced enough in terms of weight distribution that I don’t have to adjust my grip to counteract any shifting weight as I work. Truly designed with DIYers of all kinds in mind, it makes it easy to switch the speed setting the flick of a switch, and the chuck is smooth and simple to secure when changing the drill bit.
This lightweight, high-performance Ryobi drill can drive screws, hammer-drill into metal and drill into wood, metal and plastic. It requires a compatible Ryobi 18V battery and charger (sold separately).
2. Erbauer 18V Brushless V2 Cordless Random Orbit Sander
Before I discovered this sleek Erbauer model, I really struggled with orbital sanders because the surface to grasp is usually too cumbersome for the palm of my hand. I once spent a week on my hands and knees, sanding my parquet floor with one of these sanders to save on the cost of hiring a floor sander. Having to use both hands just to hold the tool securely left me with all sorts of upper body strains and pains.
The grasping surface on this model is oval shaped and fits nicely in my palm, allowing me to effortlessly tap the on/off switch with my index finger, and adjust the variable speed dial with my thumb during use. Without a battery the sander is super-lightweight, but the battery pack does add a lot of heft, so I’d recommend that female DIYers purchase a 2.0Ah battery to go with this tool, instead of a 4.0Ah one.
This Erbauer orbital sander is intended for sanding wide areas of material, without leaving swirl marks. It requires a comptible Erbauer 18V battery and charger (sold separately).
3. Draper 230V Storm Force Oscillating Multi-Tool
My multi-tool has rescued many a project, enabling me to make fine adjustments to wooden details, sand awkward corners, and paint-scrape hard-to-reach places. On this model the accessory is changed using an Allen key, which doesn’t require too much strength to loosen or tighten and is suitable for hands of any size.
The body of this tool is more slimline than those of other models I've used, making it painless for me to hold in one hand while I use my free hand to stabilise my project. I don’t usually opt for corded tools, but I need to be nimble and nifty with my multi-tool, and I find that a heavy battery can make for an awkward user experience.
Having to take into account offsetting an uneven weight distribution hugely impacts the results of my work as I manoeuvre the tool into nooks and crannies. This Draper model is basic, but it avoids these issues, and ticks all the boxes for me at a very accessible price point.
This corded Draper multi-tool has three attachments for different DIY tasks: a saw blade, a hook and loop base with sanding sheets, and an offset scraper blade.
4. Vonhaus 405mm Scroll Saw with LED Light
I cannot sing the praises of this scroll saw loud enough. For creative women like me, with a background in craft, this feels like the DIY version of a sewing machine. A scroll saw is the bench-top version of a jigsaw, which completely removes the burden of holding a heavy power tool, and leaves both hands free for guiding and handling the wood, metal or plastic that you’re working on.
Features such as the drop foot (for securing the piece that you’re working on) and the sturdy blade guard help me feel safe and in control of the tool. I still sometimes find the freedom of a hand-held tool a bit nerve wracking if I haven’t used it in a while.
The cutting speed and table angle are both adjustable via straightforward dials and screws, so I have total confidence before even starting up the tool. Then, all that’s left is to focus on the task at hand while I’m operating the saw. I like to use my scroll saw to cut irregular or intricate shapes to add the finishing decorative details to my woodwork projects.
This Vonhaus scroll saw is a tabletop solution for accurate, intricate cutting, with an LED light to illuminate your work and an air hose to blow away dust while you cut.
Why are some power tools better for women than others?
Traditionally power tools have been designed around the measurements and grip strength of men. This means that attributes such as the handle circumference, weight distribution and trigger reach are uncomfortable for the average female hand, as women tend to have smaller hands, shorter fingers and lower grip strength.
“I remember trying to drill into a stud when renovating a bathroom and I literally had to drive it in because I had one hand trying to grip this power tool, press the trigger, and hold the weight of it. It was quite high up, I was trying to push from behind and it was going nowhere. I had no strength or force left in me because operating the drill was so difficult a task in itself,” says Sharn Rayment, a DIY Content Creator who is currently renovating her house in London and sharing the journey on Instagram and TikTok.
Sharn continues, “I don’t think power tools are designed with women in mind at all. I think they’re designed for trade and if we look at the people in those trade roles, they’re mostly men. But I think in DIY there’s a gap in the market there, and it’s growing as we see more and more woman online showing other women how to do DIY, how to renovate their own house, how to do projects big and small. I can see why the tools haven’t caught up yet but I can also see how it’s something that needs to be addressed.”
She adds that power tool brands could improve their offering for female DIYers by, “looking at the ergonomics of their tools, along with the standard measurements and sizes of women’s hands and physicality, and by asking what do women need to get out of a power tool and what’s going to make using these tools easier for them.
“These manufacturers should be consulting with women. We don’t just want tools to be painted pink, we want tools that are easier in the hand, not quite as heavy and supplied with clear instructions.”
Sharn is a Content Creator who has been renovating her London home for the last five years and sharing her colourful brand of home renovation and DIY hacks across social media. She’s learnt all of her DIY know-how on the job and is no stranger to power tools.
FAQs
What should every female DIYer have in their tool box?
Emily Porecka, professional tradeswoman and owner of Emily’s Handywoman Services, says: “At the top of my list would be an impact driver and a combi drill. A combi drill is good for putting pilot holes into wood. When you drive a screw straight into wood, the wood will split, so you need to pilot it first with your combi drill and then screw into it with an impact driver. Having one of each tool saves you the effort of changing your heads all the time.
“Multi-tools come in handy for all sorts of jobs like cutting plasterboard, putting sockets in, and cutting little pieces of wood. I even used mine the other day to cut a steel rod. Your multi-tool is for detailed work, such as when you need to create a place to run a cable but have it flush to the wall.”
The professional DIYer also recommends adding a circular saw and an SDS drill to your starter kit.
Emily has worked as a construction industry professional for 11 years, specialising as a qualified Electrician and ‘Jane-of-all-trades’. She owns and runs Emily’s Handywoman Services in West Yorkshire, and appeared in the first series of Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning ‘The Great House Giveaway’.
Which power tool brands are best for women?
“I’ve got all Erbauer tools and I’ve used them for years,” Emily Porecka shares. “They’re not heavy and I’ve never had an issue holding them. You can easily grip your hand around them.”
Meanwhile, Sharn Rayment is full of praise for Ryobi and Screwfix. “Ryobi are good for lightweight and easy-to-use tools with clear instructions, and they do a really good detail sander and jigsaw,” she says.
“I also find you don’t need to spend the world to get good power tools if you’re a DIYer. Screwfix’s own rage, Titan, are really good, and I’ve used a lot of their stuff. They’re really good value and they’re targeted more towards DIYers.”
Feeling inspired to take on some more DIY projects with your own tools and skills? Read our guides on how to use a plumb bob and line and tile spacers to top up your toolkit.
