A welding machine for polypropylene pipes, also known as an “iron,” is a tool that includes a double-sided soldering iron that allows welding and greatly facilitates the installation of a water supply system. When determining which machine to choose for welding plastic pipes, you need to consider not only its cost, but also the manufacturer’s reputation, equipment, temperature conditions and speed of operation.
Soldering plastic pipes is a completely simple process, but it is best to entrust this work to specialists Source montagtrub.ru
Principle of operation
When deciding which soldering iron to choose for polypropylene pipes, first of all, you need the equipment to allow them to be used quickly and easily. The owner of the welding machine should not feel discomfort during operation and the equipment should not fail at the most unexpected time.
The design of the unit itself is quite simple. The main elements are 3 – body, handle, heating plate.
The operating principle of soldering plastic pipes is based on a diffusion process and consists of the following steps:
- The iron heats the seam, along which welding will subsequently take place.
- After the edges of the pipes are applied to the heating element.
- The ends heated to the required temperature are connected. After cooling, a sealed joint is obtained with excellent elasticity and reliability.
Different types of welding machines are used for soldering pipes; they all have certain features and also differ in functionality and additional accessories.
When choosing a welding machine for soldering plastic pipes, you should give preference to a tool with the maximum configuration Source specinstrumenta.ru
Features of choice
A welding gun is also called a heat gun and a hair dryer. It is believed that options with a power of 1600 W or more are most suitable for welding plastics. Depending on the model, the welding machine can provide temperatures from 80 to 700 °C. The instruments under consideration are divided into two types depending on the temperature control device. One type of heat gun has a smooth adjustment, while the other has a discrete adjustment.
It is advisable to purchase a machine for soldering plastic with continuously adjustable adjustment, since such equipment is more versatile. These options provide the ability to weld a wide variety of plastics.
In addition to those mentioned, there is also a third type of temperature controller - electronic. If the welding machine is equipped with such a regulator, it means that it belongs to the most advanced models. In addition, a high-quality welding gun is equipped with a means of protection against overheating, as well as the presence of several attachments.
You must select a welding gun based on the type of plastic that makes up the part being repaired. It should be borne in mind that it is impossible to determine the brand of material by appearance, so you should look for the manufacturer’s markings on the part.
Types of soldering irons
Before choosing a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes, you need to know that there are 2 main types of devices, most often used in construction or repair:
- Manual.
The equipment has small dimensions, which makes it possible to use it in limited space. The soldering iron makes the most airtight connections if the pipeline cross-section is no more than 50 mm. Therefore, this equipment is not suitable for working with pipes of larger diameter, which must be taken into account when choosing.
The advantages include ease of maintenance and long service life.
- Mechanical.
More professional soldering irons that can work with large-section plastic pipes, creating high-quality sealed connections. Some welding machines can solder pipes with a diameter of about 2 meters.
This type of equipment is characterized by versatility, since it allows you to work with various plastic materials, as well as metal. The main disadvantage is that it requires a lot of experience, since the device is quite complex to operate.
Professional welding machines will require skills to work with them, so they are not suitable for home use Source ytimg.com
Before making the final choice of a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes, you need to decide for what purposes it is required. If this is only a tool for household use, then you should not make special demands on the unit. Middle-class equipment will be sufficient; it will satisfy the cost and will not be very large.
Soldering iron for soldering plastic
The bumper is designed to protect the body from collisions and takes all impacts and damage. Traditional “tin” metal straightening, putty, painting is not suitable for this part of the body. For repairs you will need special equipment.
A soldering iron for plastic heats the damaged area to a certain temperature. Plastic can be heated to different degrees:
- Up to plasticity temperature. The material of the part becomes soft and flexible, its shape can be changed by hand. It is used to repair depressions, protrusions, warping and other deformations of a part without compromising its integrity.
- Up to melting point. The edges of the parts are melted and can be soldered into a single whole. Used in cases of plastic rupture.
- Up to destruction temperature. Not only the edge melts, but also large areas of the bumper material. Even if it was possible to form a seam, it will be fragile and short-lived. The repaired product will not be able to withstand operating loads.
Soldering the bumper
Soldering equipment is equipped with heating temperature control systems.
Criterias of choice
When choosing which soldering iron is best for polypropylene pipes, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:
- Teflon coating . This will reliably protect the surfaces of the equipment and prevent plastic from sticking to the iron.
- Type of welding machine . The device must be purchased taking into account certain needs. If this is a specialist who earns money by soldering pipes and installing water distribution systems, then it is worth taking a closer look at mechanical equipment. Manual devices, on the contrary, are easier to operate, have small sizes and almost the same performance as mechanics. They are best suited for home use in terms of capabilities and ease of use.
Mechanical soldering irons are complex in design and are most often intended only for narrowly focused work. Source ytimg.com
- The power of the welding machine should be enough to cope with pipes of the required diameter. It is advisable to choose equipment of medium power for soldering polypropylene pipes. For a pipeline with a cross-section of 25-70 mm, this figure is about 800 watts.
- The country of manufacture and reputation in the construction market are one of the main criteria with which you can choose a truly high-quality unit. Before deciding which is the best soldering iron for plastic pipes, it is worth getting acquainted with the reviews and reviews of a specific model.
- Many different attachments and additional functions indicate the versatility of the soldering iron and its ability to perform several manipulations with pipes during soldering. It is necessary to pay attention to the real benefits of attachments, since it is not uncommon for product manufacturers to equip it with useless functions and devices, thereby increasing the price of the product. The most popular additions for soldering irons are adapters for working with pipelines of different cross-sections.
If soldering of sewer pipes is required, then for this you need to choose a special welding machine Source ytimg.com
Before you buy a soldering iron for soldering polypropylene pipes, you need to read the instructions, which must be in the box with the device. It certainly indicates all the required information - the manufacturer, the power of the device and the basic equipment.
Attention! Before using a new tool for the first time for real work, it is best to first test it on some excess plastic products.
All welding units are slightly different in use, that is, this testing will help you get used to certain features of the soldering iron, find out the required temperature and holding time for pipes when soldering.
Preparing for work
Preparatory operations for heat treatment and welding of polymers resemble the preparation of metal elements. A similar process is especially noticeable on water supply pipes.
The algorithm for preparing plastic is as follows:
- Clean parts from dust and oil stains.
- Degrease the joints to be joined with solvent.
- If necessary, sand with a coarse sandpaper - P120, designed to remove small irregularities.
- Remove existing peelings with a sharp knife.
- Remove remaining abrasive and dust.
The last step is recommended to be carried out using compressed air.
Rating of welding machine manufacturers
When choosing a machine for welding polypropylene pipes, the rating of the best manufacturers is presented by the following companies: Rothenberger, Candan, Dytron Polys Sturm, Denzel. All of them showed excellent performance and demonstrated excellent ability to work with plastic products.
All soldering irons are similar in appearance, but have different characteristics that you need to pay attention to Source dnipro-m.ua
Rothenberger Roweld P63T
The rating of machines for welding polypropylene pipes opens with the company Rothenberger, which is a recognized leader in this field. In appearance, this professional iron may seem simple, but the equipment of this brand is distinguished not by its beauty, but by its convenience and long service life.
The heating element of the welding machine is sword-shaped, has a thermostat that maintains the temperature at a given level and a power of 800 watts. Unlike soldering irons marked “E”, which indicates the installation of an electronic thermostat, this device is simpler and, accordingly, not so expensive, and this does not affect performance at all.
The device is designed for soldering pipes with a cross-section of 20-63 millimeters - this particular set of Teflon nozzles is included in the kit. The device is easy to use - although it does not heat up the fastest, if you consider large cross-section pipes, it melts plastic quite accurately. It has a light weight - 8 kg.
Soldering iron for plastic pipes Rothenberger Roweld P63T is one of the best for professional use Source storgom.ua
The iron is installed either on a stand or on a clamp screwed to a hard surface. Heated nozzles and pipes can be easily removed after soldering.
Advantages:
- high quality workmanship;
- easy to carry;
- ease of use;
- reliability.
Flaws:
- relatively slow heating;
- high price.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in water supply, sewerage and related work
Dytron Polys P4a 1200 W Trace Weld Solo blue
The rating of soldering irons for polypropylene pipes is continued by the Czech device. It looks more interesting than Rothenberger, and the cost is lower. But one point needs to be taken into account - the word “solo” in the name indicates that we are considering a “bare” device without attachments and a box for transportation. So, the initial cheapness, unlike the complete Rothenberger, is not so cheap. With a case and attachments, the equipment is more expensive.
Soldering iron for plastic water pipe Dytron Polys P4a 1200 W Trace Weld Solo blue, fully equipped with the same quality of work, will cost more than Rothenberger Roweld P63T Source ytimg.com
Teflon nozzles for Dytron Polys are offered in a huge range, their diameter ranges from 16-125 millimeters. Due to the powerful heater, the device quickly copes with thick pipes. The temperature is adjustable within 180-280C. The regulator itself is not very convenient - it is made to look like a screwdriver.
The “solo” package is simple – the welding machine itself, a hex key for attachments, and a stand. The latter, by the way, is not as convenient due to its short “paws”, unlike the Rothenberger, so in the category “soldering iron for polypropylene pipes” the rating of the best takes only second place.
Advantages:
- accurately maintains the set temperature;
- powerful heating element.
Flaws:
- the stand is inconvenient to use;
- minimal set.
Video description
A short review of the Dytron Polys P4a 1200 W Trace Weld Solo blue is presented in this video:
CANDAN SM-04
The equipment for welding plastic pipes is replenished with the Turkish model CANDAN SM-04. The equipment can work with polypropylene products with a cross-section of 50-110 millimeters. The heater has 2 independent sections, that is, taking into account the need, you can select an operating mode of 1 or 2 kilowatts.
The CANDAN SM-04 welding machine can be classified as a type of tool where the price corresponds to the quality Source ventorus.rf
The thermostat maintains a stable temperature regime, the equipment is not prone to overheating. The stand that is included in the kit is universal - it can be installed either on the floor or used as a clamp for fastening on a table. But the device is equipped with only three attachments; other necessary ones will need to be purchased separately.
The welding machine looks a little rough, but it works well. That’s why it gained its popularity - an excellent soldering iron for propylene pipes at an affordable price finds its consumer.
Advantages:
- convenient stand, which is included in the kit;
- switching power modes;
- Teflon coating;
- affordable price taking into account its configuration.
Flaws:
- The set contains only 3 nozzles;
- inconvenient to transport.
Video description
How to choose an original CANDAN soldering iron, watch the video:
DIOLD ASPT-4
Sword-shaped welding machine 1.5 kW. The kit includes a metal case, 6 nozzles with a cross-section of 20-63 mm, gloves, a tape measure, and a pipe cutter. Up to 3 pairs of nozzles can be installed on the heater at the same time; it heats up quite quickly.
The main advantage of the Diold ASPT-4 welding machine is its maximum configuration Source gadgetok.ru
Attention! When purchasing, check the calibration of the temperature setting regulator with a pyrometer.
The stand is made of plastic, it is not attached firmly enough, that is, it needs to be modified. The Chinese pipe cutter included in the kit also does not work effectively. But, in general, this soldering iron for polypropylene pipes is worth the money; with minor shortcomings, it works great.
Advantages:
- high-quality complete nozzles;
- ease of use;
- reliable case with durable fastenings;
- fast heating.
Flaws:
- the pipe cutter included in the kit is not suitable for the job;
- poor quality stand.
Video description
For a brief overview of the Denzel DWP-2000 soldering station, watch this video:
ELITECH SPT1500
A simple welding machine with a universal stand similar to the one that comes with Candan. Working with a soldering iron in weight is not very convenient, since it is quite heavy and has a rigid handle. Best suited for working on the floor or table. A power of 1.5 kW is enough for quick heating and soldering of pipes with a cross-section of up to 63 millimeters.
The manufacturer of the soldering iron ELITECH SPT1500, among other things, equipped its tool with a bubble level Source svarochnye-apparaty.kz
The case is not very successful - the thin metal deforms quite quickly. The supplied pipe cutter also needs to be replaced.
Advantages:
- can be mounted on a workbench;
- quality nozzles.
Flaws:
- inconvenient to use when suspended;
- poor quality case.
General information
The soldering iron is intended only for welding tubular parts made of plastic. Its design features an electric heater that heats the pipe joints until they melt. In this form, the ends of the two parts are well connected.
A welding gun, also known as a hair dryer, works like a regular household hair dryer, used to dry painted elements and remove moisture from the item.
However, such an electrical device is called so because its shape is very similar in appearance to a pistol.
Video description
What professional builders think about the ELITECH SPT1500 soldering iron, watch the video:
BISON AST-2000
This welding machine is made in a rather original way - a regular piece of profiled pipe is used for mounting on the stand, and the body is a rectangular box. But the unit turned out to be cheap and reliable.
The BISON AST-2000 soldering machine has a fairly simple design, but this does not affect the quality of work in any way Source ytimg.com
It is equipped with 6 nozzles, can be used for pipes with a cross-section of 20-63 millimeters. High-quality Teflon coating, heated pipes can be easily removed. The heater is two-section, quickly reaches the required temperature. Due to its design, the equipment is relatively heavy; when used by weight, your hands get tired quickly.
Advantages:
- reliable soldering;
- fast warm-up;
- high-quality nozzles;
- convenient stand.
Disadvantages: Appearance resembles a homemade design.
The principle of operation of a soldering iron
Before starting work, the surface must be cleaned of dirt and thoroughly degreased, the edges must be sanded.
When using a soldering iron, use the tip to melt the edges of the parts to be joined. Next, they need to be pressed together and fixed until they cool completely. It's best to press the edges together in advance and process them at the same time. After cooling, a weld is formed, connecting the two workpieces into a single whole.
When using a hairdryer, a stream of heated air is directed to the damaged area, uniformly heating it until the plasticity temperature is reached. Now you can give the softened plastic any desired shape. For welding, a slot nozzle is put on the hair dryer, which forms a narrow flat stream of heated air. This stream acts in the same way as a soldering iron tip.
Another type of repair is stapling. Staples are inserted into the soldering machine, they are heated and pressed into the material in such a way as to connect the parts of the bumper into a single whole, providing additional strength to the weld.
When repairing cracks, they should be cleaned and deepened to a depth of half a centimeter until a V-shaped groove is formed. Holes should be drilled at the ends of the crack to prevent further spread. Next, use a soldering iron to connect the edges until the crack disappears completely.
The seam should first be passed from the inside, the second pass is made from the front.
If the shape of the surface cannot be restored completely, pieces of fiberglass are glued to the problem areas. After restoring the shape and integrity of the bumper, it is painted in the same way as metal parts. A layer of primer is applied to the sanded and degreased surface, and after it dries, two layers of paint are applied. Polishing is used as a finishing touch.
Video description
What the BISON AST-2000 is is shown in this video:
Sturm TW-7218
This cylindrical welding machine is used for pipes with a small cross-section - 16-32 millimeters, all attachments for these diameters are in the case. Moreover, despite its small size, the power of this unit is quite high - 1.8 kilowatts, so it heats up to the required temperature quickly.
The Sturm TW-7218 welding unit is an excellent choice for home use Source your-home-and-garden.rf
Video description
For a quick review of the Sturm TW-7218, watch this video:
Wester DWM1000A
The product strongly resembles a Rothenberger sword-shaped welding machine. But at the same time, for all the equipment in a case with 6 nozzles with a diameter of 20-63 millimeters, you need to pay 5 times less.
The Wester DWM1000 A pipe soldering machine is practically a copy of the Rothenberger soldering iron Source 24weld.ru
A 1 kW heater warms up quite quickly, and pipe soldering is quite acceptable. The disadvantage of the welding machine is the electronics - namely the temperature controller. By and large, it is quite possible to repair it, but the equipment is definitely not suitable for professional use.
Advantages:
- digital temperature sensor;
- good quality of soldering;
- Comes with 6 nozzles.
Disadvantages : the temperature regulator breaks down quickly.
Operating principle of a heat gun
The design of the mentioned module is quite simple, and consists of an electric heater and a fan built into the case.
Developers produce several samples of hair dryers for plastic, which differ from each other in the power of their productive elements.
The most acceptable power in everyday life is considered to be starting from 1.6 kW, and a significant heating temperature of the part.
For renovation of an apartment or house, a heating degree of 80-700° C will be a good parameter that can heat most common polymers.
The thermal module for welding should be equipped with manual temperature control, which will help the master determine the required degree of heating. You can rely on the automatic mode, but its use will not give a person the necessary skills.
Inexpensive hair dryers have a mechanical device that resembles a rotary dial with temperature indicator numbers printed on it.
Expensive models of thermoguns for welding plastic are equipped with electronic alarms, which are more convenient to use, but are inferior to mechanical ones in reliability.
Video description
A brief overview of the Wester DWM1000 A soldering iron is presented in this video:
RESANTA ASPT1000
The cheapest sword-shaped welding machine, but it copes with its direct responsibilities quite well. Despite the fact that the heater has 3 seats for attaching nozzles, it will not be possible to install several pairs together: the holes are very close to each other.
The soldering device RESANTA ASPT1000 is the cheapest, but if you need to do one-time work around the house, it is quite suitable Source onlinetrade.ru
A power of 1 kW is not enough for quick heating, but this is quite obvious given the cost of the unit. In general, the equipment performed well.
Advantages:
- high-quality soldering;
- affordable price.
Disadvantages : You cannot put several pairs of attachments together.
Briefly about the main thing
Recommendations from friends and even managers are unlikely to help the store with the question of which welding machine to choose for plastic pipes. Because it requires selectivity and awareness. Main technical parameters that you need to pay attention to:
- Equipment . It must include several attachments and additional tools depending on the model (tape measure, stand, hexagon, cutter). Often the kit is purchased separately, but more expensive products come with everything you need.
- Speed of work . It will depend directly on the power of the equipment. For example, for soldering pipes with a cross-section of over 100 millimeters, it is necessary to select a unit with a power of approximately 1.8-2 kilowatts. If you need to solder standard household plumbing, then it is recommended to choose a welding machine with a power of over 800 watts.
- Temperature . A high-quality and professional tool must clearly withstand the temperature, this will make the work comfortable and the soldering of pipes quick.
If you have already chosen a certain device, it is recommended to study reviews about it in several sources - this way you can form your own opinion about this equipment.
To make the right choice, you need to take into account the amount of work to be done, as well as the amount that can be allocated for the purchase of a welding machine. It is best to choose a complete set, which will include different attachments and tools. This way you can save both time and money.
