Recently, pipelines made of polymer materials are everywhere replacing metal ones from use. There are many reasons for this: they are more durable, easier to install and operate, and do not require anti-corrosion treatment. For the installation of heating and hot water supply systems, the most suitable are polypropylene pipes, mounted by welding.
By design, polypropylene pipes can be conventional or reinforced with aluminum foil. Aluminum significantly increases the reliability of the system and reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material. Depending on the conditions under which polypropylene pipes are welded, the instructions for performing the work may differ in some details, but its main essence remains the same.
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
Soldering methods
In practice today, a couple of basic methods are used to ensure durable and reliable joining of welded elements:
- coupling;
- straight.
The first option is welding polypropylene pipelines using a shaped product (coupling) or a pipe having a sufficient external size. This method is suitable for plastic pipelines of small diameter. It consists of melting the outer side of the elements and the inner part of the coupling, which ensures a guaranteed tight joint.
Direct welding involves melting the end part of plastic pipes with the same diameter, as well as their subsequent joining with the end surfaces. A special feature of the method is the need to perform welding with extreme precision in processing all abutting areas and connecting them to each other.
In addition to the “hot” technologies already listed above, you can use a fairly simple and affordable method of “cold” soldering of polypropylene. In this case, a replacement for the active soldering component is a special solvent that promotes rapid softening of the polypropylene structure.
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.
Preparing elements
Before starting work, the following preparatory activities are carried out:
- Tools are being prepared: Soldering iron.
- Scissors for cutting plastic pipes (pipe cutter);
- Measuring tools (tape measure, square, level);
- Pencil or marker;
- Surface degreasing agent (industrial alcohol).
Important. For polypropylene and PVC pipes, the melting point is 260⁰C, for polyethylene pipes - 220⁰C.
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.
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.
Popular vote
Which soldering iron for polypropylene pipes would you choose or recommend?
Rothenberger Roweld P63T
6.90 % ( 4 )
Rothenberger Roweld P40 T
5.17 % ( 3 )
Candan CM-01
10.34 % ( 6 )
Dytron Polys P-4a 650W TraceWeld Solo
15.52 % ( 9 )
Wester DWM 1000A
18.97 % ( 11 )
ELITECH SPT 1500
6.90 % ( 4 )
Wester DWM 1500
3.45 % ( 2 )
Candan CM-03
10.34 % ( 6 )
Resanta ASPT-2000
10.34 % ( 6 )
Resanta ASPT-1000
3.45 % ( 2 )
Elitech SPT 800
3.45 % ( 2 )
Soyuz STS-7220
1.72 % ( 1 )
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.
No. 6 – STAVR ASPT-2000
Price: 2400 rubles
Not the most popular model on the market, but in vain - the STAVR company has come out with a very balanced and reliable device with good power and a wide range of pipes that the gadget is capable of welding. The soldering iron weighs 1.5 kilograms, which is close to ideal - it’s not too heavy, but we didn’t have to sacrifice the quality of parts to achieve lower weight, as the Chinese often do by replacing everything with plastic. I was pleased with the good quality case, as well as the three-year warranty on the device.
The only disappointment is the attachments - they won’t last long, so you should immediately take care of purchasing better quality consumables. The rest is very decent.
STAVR ASPT
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.
Special PTP-1000
Photo: https://beru.ru
The device with a paired sword-type welding nozzle allows you to solder socket joints. Lightweight and compact, it is easy to store and use. An ergonomic case with various components increases the functionality of the device. The kit includes six different welding attachments and a special key for changing them. The device is of the household type, as it has low power and soldering frequency. Safe to use - does not cause excessive melting or stickiness of plastic materials.
Special PTP-1000
Advantages:
- convenient storage case
- light weight
- large set of attachments
- affordable price
- clear operating instructions
Flaws:
- unreliable stand without fastening
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.
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.
Common mistakes when welding plastic pipes
Fittings and pipes are purchased with a reserve in order to practice before welding the pipeline. Polypropylene from different manufacturers differs in chemical composition and is heated at different temperatures. It is important to check the holding time of the workpieces on the soldering iron; the plastic should not warm up completely, but only 1/3 of the thickness. Do not allow internal flows in the pipeline.
Typical beginner mistakes:
- Poor preparation of connections. The foil layer is removed completely over the entire heated area.
- Only clean pipes need to be boiled. The surface on which the workpieces will lie must be free of dirt and dust. The pipe must be dry, without any remaining water.
- The heated workpieces are connected only coaxially. It takes a few seconds to correct incorrect positioning. When the plastic is deformed, the quality of the seam decreases.
- Inconsistency of fittings and pipes. They must be from the same material. Saving on components is inappropriate. When independently assembling water pipelines, the owner is responsible for the quality of the seams. In case of an accident, it will pay for repairs in the lower apartments.
Welding propylene at home is not difficult. The tool is rented and is easy to learn. It is important to adhere to the welding mode. First make sure that the heating temperature and holding time are selected correctly. The poor-quality seam is cut off and the joint is welded again. If the technology is followed, the pipeline will last a long time.
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.
Power overview
Welded devices for polymer pipes come in different capacities, from 600 to 2000 W.
To connect 50 mm and smaller workpieces, standard heaters are used that support a power of 1 kW. For a larger cross-section, you will need a power of 1.7-2 kW.
But this rule does not always work. The market offers us ultra-efficient installations that consume less than 1 kW and are capable of welding pipe blanks with a maximum diameter.
Professionals pay attention to universal tools with maximum power.
Hobbyists are interested in inexpensive devices that can solder at least two or three standard sizes of workpieces.
Power up to 1000 W
A soldering iron with this power is available in both sword-shaped and cylindrical types. The difference between devices up to 1000 W is that they have one heating element, so the matrix heats up slowly and the welding process is long.
The equipment of the devices is directly related to their cost. The simple device has light induction, a toggle switch and a thermostat. Expensive ones have a display that can accurately maintain the required temperature using electronics.
The following models have proven themselves well:
- Inforce 03-24-01 (Russia) - voltage 1000 W, sword-shaped heater, digital display and electronic regulator.
- Gigant GPW-1000 - Russian device, mechanical adjustment. Capable of quickly heating to a given degree.
- Elitech SPT 1000 is a compact device with a cylindrical soldering iron, mechanical adjustment and a metal folding stand.
- Caliber SVA-1000T (Russia) is a cylindrical heater with three nozzles. There are two diodes - network and temperature.
Power over 1000 W
Devices for stitching polypropylene pipe products with voltages from 1500 to 2000 W have increased productivity. The difference between this equipment is the speed of heating and the speed of stitching, but this does not affect the quality of the seams in any way.
These soldering irons with improved configuration have two heating elements that turn on simultaneously and alternately.
Proven high performance models include:
- Inforce 03-12-02 - power 1700 W, two switches to set one of three modes (700, 1000, 1700), sword-shaped heater.
- PATRIOT PW 205 (2000 W) - sword-shaped soldering plate, X-shaped pedestal, there are two toggle switches to adjust the power.
- Elitech SPT 1500 is a pointed sword-shaped heater that heats up quickly.
- STURM TW7218 is a powerful cylindrical soldering iron (1800 W), the ability to adjust the temperature level from 0 to 300 degrees.
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.
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