Milwaukee
Shift
Have you ever wanted to make something but couldn't because you didn't have the tools to do so? Many people face this issue every day, either giving up on what they wanted to achieve or finding shoddy alternatives to make it.
The Milwaukee shift aims to fix this pain point by giving beginners the tools they need in order to achieve success.
Project Brief
A power tool designed for beginners to introduce them to the Milwaukee brand.
Key question
Novice Vs Expert
Consumer-grade ovens are typically paired with stove top burners as well as having a more stylized form than a functional look. Professional-grade ovens are designed to be sterile and easy to understand at a glance.
Power tools are designed the same for both novices and experts. Novices and experts have different needs so what do other industries do to address this problem?
The consumer-grade iPhone is much more user-friendly with adequate camera quality and apps to help you edit photos. The professional grade is more expensive and is bulkier than the consumer grade but produces higher quality results.
The consumer-grade laptop is significantly more portable than the professional desktop, but the trade-off is less power and worse thermals. The professional-grade desktop is far less portable, but it’s much more powerful than the consumer-grade laptop.
Insights
Take-aways:
-Uses a wide range of equipment
-Highly proficient in using equipment
-Values longevity and power
Interview
Pro
Hayes Shanesy owns his own cabinetry company, making custom pieces for housing. While he does a wide range of woodworking, he primarily focuses on cabinetry and uses a wide range of machines to do so.
Educator
Interview
Novice Vs Expert
Ben Jones is the director of the Makerspace at UC’s 1819. His role is to educate students on how to build and create things within the Makerspace. Before his current role he was a sculptor working with different power tools on a daily basis.
Insights
Take-aways:
-Large range of different power tools
-Consistent battery ecosystem
-The beginners equipment barrier
Persona Analysis
Steve
Steve is a suburban dad. He is currently building a deck for his family. He has had some experience with woodworking but is primarily relying on tutorials. To build the deck, he needs to buy multiple tools, which can be quite pricey. A multitool can help solve this pain for Steve.
Battery
Loyalty
Locked In Brand
By targeting beginners who haven’t bought into a battery ecosystem yet, you can lock them into a brand.
Cost Breakdown
For example, a two-pack of XC AH Milwaukee batteries costs $200. Oftentimes these prices are daunting for beginner especially without a tool to come with.
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Novice Vs Expert
Power tool brands maintain their users by getting them into their battery ecosystem, so they can’t switch to a different brand without buying new batteries.
Locked Into
Brand
Project Goal
Novice Focused
Making a tool specifically tailored to novices to give them what they need to grow.
Designing a Milwaukee rotary multi-tool to give beginners the tools they need to wood work and introduce them into the brand’s ecosystem.
Introduce Newcomers
Introducing beginners to the brand and getting them hooked into the battery ecosystem.
Tool Selection
Giving them the tools they need to succeed in their tasks and give them the confidence to feel like a pro.
This analysis looks at brands and their targeted consumer.
This analysis looks at the complexity and versatility of each tool.
Analysis
Market
Imageboard
User
Form
Analysis
Brand
Known for its tough red and black design Milwaukee tools sells to prosumers and professionals.
Ideation Sketching
Modeling
Hand
Modeling Exploration
Using foam, sandpaper, and a bandsaw I explored several different designs testing out the ergonomics.
Design #1
Smooth Handguard, Hard Chamfer Top
Design #2
Offset Handguard Bar, Rounded Top
Top Ideas
From the modeling exploration the top two designs were picked to be refined.
Prototyping
The ideas were then tested in physicality by using a CNC to make the CAD model.
Ideational
Refinement 1
Body
Fixing the way the body sits between the pointer finger and thumb.
Refinement 3
Handle
Making the handle taller to accommodate for lager hand sizes.
Refinement 2
Transition
Fixing a surface transition near the side buttons to make it feel smoother.
Refinement 4
Handle
Fixed the comfort of the handle by making it slightly thinner.
Final Design
This is the final fully modeled design made with the CNC and painted.
Ergonomic Handle
Swappable Tool Heads
