Power Tools For Apprentices – 3 Must-Haves from Hitachi

Anyone starting out in the trades needs to have some semblance of power tool kit at their disposal. This will help you learn your trade and allow you to work on-site without having to beg or borrow (never steal!) anyone elses’ power tools.

In this Toolstop Guide, we’ll share 3 must-have tools by Hitachi that every apprentice should own.

Each of the tools is cordless and will have a body-only version (click here to read more about the benefits of buying body-only cordless tools). The key benefit of buying into just one battery platform is the ability to swap the batteries you own between the tools, keeping your initial outlay costs lower, and allowing you much more functionality from your cordless kit.

Combi-Drill for Apprentices – Which Hitachi to Buy?

A combi-drill is a must-have power tool for any apprentice and will serve you whatever the trade you’re working in, from electrician, joiner or plumber. A combi-drill will have two speeds, low speed and high torque for screwdriving applications, and high speed for drilling.

In addition to this, it has a hammer mode, selectable via the torque ring, which gives you the ability to drill into brick or masonry. Ideal for setting up fixings in walls, for example.

Toolstop’s Pick for Hitachi Combi-Drill for Apprentices

Hitachi DV18DBFL2/JM 18V Cordless li-ion Brushless Combi Drill (2 x 3Ah Batteries)

We’ve chosen this Hitachi combi-drill because it comes with 2 batteries and a charger, so it’s the ideal tool to start with, and the two batteries will allow you to power any other 18v Hitachi cordless tool. On top of that, the drill has a brushless motor which means it runs for longer on the battery, is tougher and much more efficient than standard brushed motors. Plus, the unit is compact with a head length of just 189mm, ideal for confined spaces.

The batteries are 3Ah, which is at the lower end of today’s battery charge capacity, but 3Ah is more than enough to power you through most of the jobs you’ll need the combi-drill for during the day, plus you get three batteries in the kit which amounts to a whopping 9Ah of charge to use throughout the day! In addition, Hitachi’s charger will have the battery fully charged in just 30 minutes.

It’s a top-end piece of kit with 22 torque settings for screwdriving and up to 30,000bpm when in hammer drilling mode, which will easily drill up to 16mm into masonry or 13mm into metal.
Watch our demo video on Toolstop TV here:

Cordless Impact Driver for Apprentices – Which Hitachi to Buy?

Depending on your trade, an impact driver is a vital piece of cordless power tool kit. Typically it will have a short headlength, meaning it’s ideal for driving screws in tight spaces. It’s all about the torque, so it’ll handle long, wide screws into tough materials with ease.

Learn more about impact drivers in our guide here.

Toolstop’s Pick for Hitachi Impact Driver for Apprentices

Hitachi WH18DSAL/L4 18V Cordless li-ion Impact Driver (Body Only)

This impact driver is body-only, so it costs less than one bundled with batteries and a charger, but as it’s on the same 18v   set up as the combi-drill, it’ll accept the same batteries.

It gives you up to 145Nm of torque when driving screws and  with a compact head length of just 166mm it’s  great for the back of kitchen cupboards, and a great addition to any apprentices’ kit. And it benefits from bright twin LED joblights for working in dark conditions.
Watch our demo video on Toolstop TV:

Cordless Jigsaw – Which Hitachi to Buy?

Everyone needs a decent jigsaw, and going for a body-only version and using your existing Hitachi 18v batteries is the way to own one without breaking the bank.

Toolstop’s Pick for Hitachi Cordless Jigsaw for Apprentices

Hitachi CJ110MV Jigsaw

This time we’ve gone for a corded tool, helping to keep the costs down a little.

This machine outputs up to 3000 strokes per minute with a maximum depth of cut into wood of 110mm. 4 stage orbital action is in place (click here to read about the importance of orbital action on a jigsaw), and the base has a 45º tilt left and right. Very versatile.
Watch our demo video on Toolstop TV here:

What tools do you have in your apprentice kit?