Pipe welder: features of choice and operation

Recently, plastic pipes almost completely replaced metal counterparts. This is due to a number of their advantages, including ease of installation - even a person who does not have skills in working with plumbing can assemble a plastic pipe. The only thing that this will require a special welding machine for plastic pipes. Next, we will look at how to choose such a device and how to work with it.

The principle of the soldering iron

First of all, let's get acquainted with the principle of operation of the welding machine or, as it is also commonly called, a soldering iron for plastic pipes. So, along the axis of this device, there is a heating element that is powered from a conventional 220V power supply. It is this component that heats up the tips of the polymer parts to the desired temperature, at which they are able to weld together.

Complete with a soldering iron, there are all kinds of nozzles that allow you to connect different types of pipes and fittings. Therefore, such devices are quite versatile tool. (See also the article Fittings for polypropylene pipes: features.)

I must say that this equipment is quite expensive, especially if we are talking about a quality device. Therefore, to acquire, for example, a welding machine for polyethylene pipes, in order to run water in the apartment once, it does not make sense.

In this case, it will be much more profitable to pay for the services of a specialist. But, if the amount of work is large, or from time to time there will be a need for such a device, you should figure out how to choose a welding machine for polypropylene pipes and other types of plastic, and still make such a purchase.

Tool selection

If you, for example, needed a welding machine for welding polypropylene pipes, when choosing a tool, first of all you need to pay attention to the following points:

Now let's take a closer look at what the main parameters of the tool should be.

Power

As mentioned above, power is one of the main characteristics of this device.

Therefore, it is necessary to go broke, in what cases, what power of a soldering iron is needed:

• 1.5 - 2 kilowatts - there is an opinion that the welding machine for PP pipes should have just such power. In fact, for domestic purposes, it will be unnecessary, since it is unlikely that there will be a need to install a large diameter pipeline.
• 680 W - used for welding parts with a diameter of 16 - 63 mm, which are most often used in domestic plumbing.
• 850 W - can solder pipes with a diameter of 16 - 75 mm.
• 1200 W - can be used for installation of a pipeline with a diameter of 125 mm.

Thus, the most optimal welding machines for welding polyethylene pipes, as well as other plastic materials, are tools for 680 - 850 W. They have an affordable price and good performance.

Nozzles

A welding machine for propylene pipes and any other types of "plastic" should have, in addition to the basic nozzles, auxiliary ones. In addition, the tool must have a pair of nozzles of different diameters (one for each part to be joined).

Some types of soldering irons are designed to work simultaneously with two or even three pairs of nozzles. As a rule, these are devices of a professional level, which are used to perform a large amount of work. Of course, the cost of such equipment is quite high.

Usually, complete with the device are nozzles, with which you can perform the installation of water supply and some other piping systems. As for the material for the nozzles, the best option is considered to be metallized Teflon, since it is quite durable and has high reliability.

Note! Included should be a case that will protect the nozzles from debris and the negative effects of the environment.

Soldering iron

So, let's say you purchased a welding machine for HDPE pipes from which you want to assemble a water supply system. It remains to prepare the pipe and you can get to work.

The instruction is as follows:

• First you need to connect the soldering iron to the outlet and heat it to the working temperature.
• While the apparatus is heating up, it is necessary to prepare the pipes and cut them into pieces of the required length. If you are installing a pipe made of polypropylene, before welding you need to remove the top layer of polypropylene with aluminum reinforcement with a shaver.
• A few minutes after heating the device, you can proceed directly to the soldering of the pipe parts with your own hands. To do this, the pipes are inserted into the nozzles and after softening dock. In this position, the parts must be held for some time, until the plastic solidifies, without turning them and not moving them.
• If the procedure was unsuccessful for the first time, the area that was soldered should be cut off and the operation should be performed anew.
• After performing the operation, you need to clean the nozzles with a wooden spatula from soot and plastic residue.

At this point, the process of soldering pipes is over. It looks the same, regardless of what type of plastic made parts, whether PVC, polypropylene or polyethylene. The main thing is that they are homogeneous.

Note! When working with a soldering iron, use protective gloves to protect hands from burns.

By itself, this operation is quite simple. The main thing - to adhere to the above sequence and a little "to fill the hand."

Conclusion

A plastic pipe welding machine can be a very useful household tool. Moreover, buying a powerful tool does not make sense, the main thing is that it is reliable and fairly versatile. From the video in this article, you can get additional information on this topic.