Machine for welding plastic pipes, which one is better to choose for repairs

The rating from our editors presents the best models of soldering irons for pipes, allowing for high-quality installation of heating, watering or plumbing systems. The TOP 10 is compiled based on user reviews and analysis of the current market. Therefore, here you will find only reliable, proven machines for welding polypropylene pipes and fittings, excellent options for home use or industrial use. A review from our experts will help you understand the variety of soldering irons and determine which one is best suited for solving your tasks.

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

Types of welding of polypropylene pipes

There are 3 types of welding of polypropylene pipes.

• Electrofusion

This is carried out through the use of special couplings, which are supplemented with heating parts. The ends of the PPR that have been soldered are not further processed.

The elements are connected without sagging, due to which the electrofusion type of welding has gained immense popularity, despite its high cost.

Important! This welding technique is possible in hard-to-reach places.

• Bell-shaped

Suitable for connecting small diameter pipes. With this method, one pipe is inserted into another through a socket.

• Butt

This method is relevant for joining pressure pipelines with a diameter of at least 63 mm. It is worth noting that for home purposes, the butt method is not used.

Which method the master should prefer depends on:

• a tool that the master has;
• pipeline loads;
• criteria for PP pipes: diameter, wall thickness, etc.

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.

Which brand of soldering iron should I choose?

When choosing a soldering iron, you should pay attention to the country of manufacture and the company, as this directly affects the price=quality ratio. So, which brand is best to choose a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes:

1. The first place is confidently occupied by European brands, primarily German and Czech. Here we should note such brands as Kern, Rothenberger, Dytron, which are distinguished by their most powerful technical characteristics and long service life.
2. The second position is occupied by companies from Turkey and the CIS countries. Companies such as Makina Plastik, Candan, Calde are in great demand.
3. Third place is occupied by soldering irons from Chinese manufacturers. Dexter is considered a popular brand. However, for professional work it is not recommended to purchase a tool made in China, but for home purposes it will be indispensable.

A tool made in China is not suitable for regular use.

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.

Best Inexpensive Pipe Soldering Irons

The group of the best, but inexpensive models includes household-grade soldering irons, the welding of plastic pipes with which is limited to domestic conditions (house, garage, cottage or apartment). They are characterized by cheaper prices, “weak” equipment, and average power parameters. Minor defects cannot be ruled out, such as a slight backlash, a thin platform without additional fasteners. Basic parameters, such as temperature conditions, type of pipes and fittings being welded, heating adjustment, are not significantly inferior to professional soldering irons.

ELITECH SPT 800

The ELITECH SPT-800 soldering iron has a standard, familiar design and typical parameters. The power of the device is 800 W, the equipment is limited - no pipe cutters, tape measure and level. A set of nozzles from 20 to 63. This is a good household welder with which you can lay a pipeline at home, in an apartment, in a country house, or in a garage. The resource of the internal mechanism is more than enough for several years of continuous use. However, the household soldering iron model is not without its drawbacks - the soldering iron leg may be curved and will have to be modified. The heating indicators are faded and barely visible in bright sunlight.

Advantages:

• reliable mechanism;
• low cost;
• high-quality case;
• good selection of attachments;
• average power consumption – the device can be used without a serious load on the network;
• clear and detailed instructions.

Flaws:

• meager equipment.

SOYUZ STS-7220

SOYUZ soldering irons have been very popular among knowledgeable craftsmen for several years now. At a minimally low price, these devices are able to work properly for more than one year, without overloads or failures. It is worth noting here good protection against overheating, fast and stable heating, and high-quality Teflon coating of the nozzles. The price of the soldering iron has been reduced due to the reduced base, where there are only two holes for nozzles. The package includes a good-quality case with metal latches, one screwdriver and six good dies with a diameter of 20 to 63 mm. The standard diameter of the holes on the iron allows you to purchase additional matrices of other diameters.

Advantages:

• low price with good quality;
• presence of a case;
• high-quality matrices;
• long network cable;
• 14 month warranty

Flaws:

• the quality of assembly and parts of the soldering iron is poor;
• high energy consumption - 2 kW.

Kolner KPWM 800MC

The welder for polypropylene pipes from Kolner is 100% household and suitable for assembling a water supply system at home or for watering in a summer cottage. To confirm this, the price is lower than the analogue from SOYUZ, the equipment is stripped down and there are only three matrix attachments with diameters of 20, 25 and 32 mm. A soldering iron with the simplest possible layout does not have a temperature regulator and is equipped with a simple stand, which users often have to “modify with a file.” Despite its efficiency, the device copes with the assigned tasks and is cheaper than renting a tool.

Advantages:

• The best inexpensive pipe soldering iron on the market;
• familiar design;
• compact dimensions;
• heating rate;
• good thermostat and high-quality heating of workpieces.

Flaws:

• matrices of only three diameters with budget Teflon coating;
• no temperature adjustment.

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.

What parameters are the main ones for choosing a welding machine?

The main elements of the machine for welding polypropylene pipes are a heater and a matrix . They are responsible for heating and connecting structural elements to each other, resulting in a high-quality seam.

Criteria for choosing a tool for welding plastic pipes:

1. Power - from 600 to 2000 W. Affects the level of performance, in particular the heating rate of polypropylene (depending on the diameter of the product). The higher the indicator, the faster the welding occurs.
2. Nozzles (their number and size) - affects the width of the range of diameters of polypropylene pipes that can be connected.
3. Temperature adjustment - different manufacturers of polypropylene pipes have different melting temperatures of the material (can vary from 220 to 260 degrees Celsius), and the degree of heating can also be influenced by the ambient temperature (for example, outside in winter). Therefore, it is better to give preference to a device with temperature control.
4. Protective functions - protection against overheating and contamination will protect you from accidental breakdowns.

When choosing a soldering iron, you need to take into account its mobility and safety, as well as the shape of the heating element. It happens:

1. Sword-shaped (iron) - a wide plate resembling a sword, with an attachment fixed on it. This tool is intended for stationary use on a table.

The sword-shaped soldering iron is so called because of the shape of the plate, which transfers temperature to the matrix. In addition, when installing several paired matrices, it is possible to weld polymer pipes with different diameters.

The tool is recommended for stationary use. This soldering iron is convenient for stitching in easily accessible places. It is also possible to install several matrices simultaneously.

Sword welding machines

1. Cylindrical - a heating element in the shape of a cylinder. Recommended for welding in complex PVC pipeline connections. Stationary operation is possible; for this purpose, the kit includes a stand.

The nozzles on such soldering irons are cylindrical in shape, installed at the end, and secured with bolts. Since the distance of the matrix from the beginning of the cylinder has no restrictions, the pipe can be soldered in the most difficult places, for example, near a wall.

It is possible to carry out work on various sections of an open pipeline, and in a hospital.

Cylindrical welding machine

Expensive models are equipped with a thermostat to regulate the heating of the heating element. This is a convenient feature, and it is better to choose a device with a heating regulator.

About standard designs

Holders and heating elements are placed inside. The holder is isolated, which allows you to maintain one position of the tool during operation. The heating element is responsible for the melting process. The design of all welding machines is approximately the same.

If welding of pipes of large diameters is required, devices with a rather complex system are used that allow you to control the soldering process. After all, it is important to ensure that the heating of the structure is not too strong. Otherwise, the tube or coupling may completely melt.

Designs are often equipped with protective functions, with the help of which not only the temperature on the working heating device is regulated, but also the time during which the pipe or fitting melts.

Temperature, along with time, is tied to the thickness of the coupling wall and the diameter of the product.

How to choose the right nozzles

• For soldering irons with lower productivity, you need to choose a smaller diameter of the nozzle. Low-power devices are simply not able to warm up nozzles that are too large. Before purchasing a soldering iron, you need to make sure that these two elements in the kit match each other.
• Experts recommend taking into account your personal needs when choosing. Professional craftsmen need to work with nozzles of both 10 and 110 millimeters. At home, only three options are mainly of interest - 16, 24 and 32 mm. Any home pipeline fits into this size range. It makes no sense to purchase nozzles with a larger diameter.
• The material of manufacture is also important. Teflon coating and good thermal conductivity are the most pressing requirements.

• The more attachments, the better. However, it is worth considering that the price increases as their size increases.

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.

Popular vote

Which soldering iron for polypropylene pipes would you choose or recommend?

Rothenberger Roweld P63T

8.33 % ( 5 )

Rothenberger Roweld P40 T

6.67 % ( 4 )

Candan CM-01

10.00 % ( 6 )

Dytron Polys P-4a 650W TraceWeld Solo

15.00 % ( 9 )

Wester DWM 1000A

18.33 % ( 11 )

ELITECH SPT 1500

6.67 % ( 4 )

Wester DWM 1500

3.33 % ( 2 )

Candan CM-03

10.00 % ( 6 )

Resanta ASPT-2000

10.00 % ( 6 )

Resanta ASPT-1000

3.33 % ( 2 )

Elitech SPT 800

3.33 % ( 2 )

Soyuz STS-7220

1.67 % ( 1 )

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.

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.

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.

Selection by country of manufacturer

Some buyers prefer to choose equipment based on the manufacturer. The most common products on the market are from the following countries:

• Germany;
• Czech Republic;
• Türkiye;
• Russia;
• China.

This list, which takes into account user reviews, is compiled in descending order of tool quality and does not take into account prices for specific models.

When choosing a manufacturer, you should not try to buy a tool made in countries that occupy the top positions. Of course, this is a high-quality tool, but its price is very high.

Soldering irons of this quality are used for professional purposes when performing large volumes of work. They can work properly for many years and even decades, and then their purchase is justified.

If you choose a tool for installing polypropylene pipelines in one house, that is, practically to perform a one-time job, then there is no point in paying such money for it. After all, a good set made in Germany can cost 30,000 rubles or more.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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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The best manufacturers

Having dealt with the selection criteria, you are puzzled by a new question: “Which company is better?” In the modern market there is a pleasing variety of brands and pricing policies for the buyer. If you have a desire to buy a branded item, then you should take a closer look at the following manufacturers:

Rothenberger is a well-known European company that produces high-quality products for all kinds of repair work. The products are popular among professionals in their craft;

Gerat is another professional brand that impresses not only with quality, but also with affordability.

In addition to these brands, tools from companies such as CANDAN, ENCOR, RESANTA and other slightly less well-known manufacturers received well-deserved love.