DIY soldering iron for soldering plastic pipes | With your own hands
In everyday life, sometimes there is a need to solder contacts of parts, tin wires, or perform similar operations. But if you don’t have a soldering iron, you need to purchase expensive equipment, which is completely impractical for one-time work, or assemble a soldering iron yourself from scrap materials. Next, we will look at the easiest manufacturing methods to implement.
Method No. 1: From a PEV resistor
For such a soldering iron, you will need an old ceramic insulated resistor, which will be used as a heating element. You can use a resistor from old electrical equipment; the required parameters are calculated using the formula: P = U2 / R,
Where P is the power of the soldering iron;
U – supply voltage;
R is the ohmic resistance of the resistor.
This homemade soldering iron is designed to operate on low voltage of 12 or 24 V, which should be taken into account when calculating the power of the device. Thanks to this, it can be powered both from a step-down power supply and from a car battery. If necessary, you can select a resistor for a 220 V supply voltage, but in this example we will consider a low-voltage option.
In addition to the PEV resistor, for manufacturing you will need pieces of textolite, getinax or dry wood for the insulating handle, the main thing is that they can withstand high temperatures.
Two copper rods of different diameters for making a heat sink and a soldering tip. Connecting wires or factory 12V power supply.
You will also need elements for fixing, a file, a jigsaw, a drill, a tap, a drill.
The soldering iron manufacturing process consists of the following steps:
- A copper rod is selected for the current collector, which should fit tightly into the internal hole of the resistor. The quality of heat transfer from the heater to the soldering iron tip will depend on the density. Fig. 1: fits tightly into the hole
- For the sting, a copper rod or wire of smaller diameter is selected. Sharpen the edge of the rod to obtain the desired shape; the shape of a flat-head screwdriver is considered the most convenient for beginners.
- Drill holes on both sides and cut threads into them with a tap - one for the fixing bolt with a washer, the second for the copper tip.
- Insert the heat sink into the resistor and measure the depth of the location, make a mark on the surface. At the mark, make a radial groove using a file - a retaining ring will be inserted into it, which can be made from a spring or washer.
- At one end of the copper wire for the soldering iron tip, cut a thread and screw it into the heat sink. Fig. 2: screw into the heat sink
- Assemble the entire structure together, secure both copper rods with threaded connections and a retaining ring.
- Strip the ends of the power supply from insulation, if necessary, remove it and the plug will no longer be needed.
- Secure the ends of the copper wires from the power supply to the contacts of the resistor. To do this, use a bolted connection, be sure to tighten the nuts tightly to get good contact.
- Using a jigsaw, cut out a handle from the old board; in this example, it will consist of two halves, between which there is an electrical cord. You can also cut a groove for the wires in it. Fig. 3: Place the power cord into the handle
- Assemble the handle - secure the halves with bolts or rivets.
The cordless soldering iron is ready, it can be used for soldering microcircuits, electrical contacts of automotive wiring, etc. If you don't have a ceramic resistor at hand, you can make a soldering iron from nichrome wire.
Method No. 2: From nichrome thread
Unlike the previous method of making an electric soldering iron, here you will make your own heating element from a piece of nichrome wire. It should be noted that you can select the desired diameter using tabulated values of the resistivity of nichrome per meter of length, or experimentally.
The second option is the simplest, since, having a wire with a diameter of, say, 0.5 mm, you can stretch it onto a piece of dry wood and, by connecting the power supply, observe the speed and amount of heating by color changes.
Rice. 4: determination of heating experimentally
If desired, you can lengthen or shorten the heated section by moving the crocodile - this will allow you to select the optimal heating temperature due to the length that is most suitable for your soldering iron.
In addition to nichrome thread, you will need:
- An oblong piece of wood with a rounded shape to fit comfortably in your hand.
- Electric drill and drills of various diameters for drilling holes.
- Copper wire for making a thick or thin tip, the diameter is selected individually in each situation.
- Alabaster with water for fixing copper wire - the volume is quite small, so you will have enough leftovers from the repair; there is no need to purchase a new bag.
- Connecting copper wires for connecting the heating element to the power cord. They are selected in accordance with the rating of the current flowing through them.
- Insulation materials – electrical tape, heat shrink, fiberglass insulation.
- 12V power supply to make a mini soldering iron.
- Bench tool, stationery knife, etc.
In this example, we will look at the procedure for making a low-voltage 12V soldering iron. To do this, follow the following algorithm:
- Drill two blind holes in the end of the wooden piece - one of them will house the tip, and the other will house the power connector. Fig. 5: drill holes in the ends
- At the level of the end of the end hole for the power connector, drill holes of a smaller diameter on both sides. It is better to place them at an angle, since then the power wires will need to be pulled into them. Fig. 6: Drill holes on the sides
- From the drilled holes for the output of electrical conductors to the hole for installing the heating rod, cut recesses and place the wires from the connector in them.Fig. 7: Place the wires from the connector
- Cut a blank for the tip from thick copper wire, about 2.5 mm in diameter.
- Using the alabaster mixture, install the heating rod for the soldering iron into the hole and wait until the solution dries to a dense state. As a rule, this only takes a couple of minutes. Fig. 8: fix the tip
- Place a piece of fiberglass insulation on the rod and secure it by twisting copper wires.
- Wrap a heating coil around the fiberglass tube and attach it to the terminals.Fig. 9: Wind the nichrome wire
Insulate exposed conductors and connections using heat shrink.
- Connect the soldering iron power wires and insulate them with electrical tape.
The miniature soldering iron is ready and can be used for soldering wires, SMD elements, etc.
Rice. 10: ready-made miniature soldering iron
Method No. 3 Powerful pulse soldering iron
This soldering iron is not suitable for a beginner, since its creation requires basic knowledge of electrical engineering and skills in reading electrical circuits.
The basis for the manufacture of this unit is a switching power supply from halogen lamps.
It would be good to get a diagram of this device; in the example under consideration, it looks like this, although it could be any other, depending on the model of the soldering iron block:
Rice. 11: power supply diagram for a pulse soldering iron
The principle of operation of a pulse soldering iron is to short-circuit the secondary winding of transformer T2 to obtain maximum heating of the tip. For this, a homemade winding with one turn and a short of thinner wire under the tip is used.
To make a soldering iron, you will need a block from a halogen lamp, a body (in this case, a gun from a children's toy is used), copper wire with a diameter of 6 mm and a wire with a diameter of 1 mm, ceramic fuses, bolts for fixing the parts of the soldering iron, a button and a power cord with a plug. The tools you will need are pliers, a screwdriver, a tap and a hacksaw.
The manufacturing process of a pulse soldering iron consists of the following steps:
- Remove the cover from the power supply from the halogen lamp, being careful not to damage the internal elements, solder points and parts.Fig. 12: Remove the cover from the power supply
- From the transformer, remove the low-voltage winding, represented by several turns of copper wire. Fig. 13: Remove the low voltage winding
- Try the board into the prepared case and determine the most advantageous placement method. Please note that the heating element will get very hot, so it is better not to leave any elements under it; it is safer to move them further away by dividing the board.
- Carefully divide the board into two parts; for the safety of the parts, you can remove them while cutting, if you have at least some kind of soldering iron on hand. Otherwise you will have to be extremely careful.Fig. 14: Trim the board
- Connect the button and power cord to the board.
- Thread a 6mm thick copper wire into the coil with the high-voltage winding of the transformer and bend it around the coil using pliers, as shown in the figure.Fig. 15: Thread the copper wire into the coil
- Place parts of the ceramic fuse jacket onto the leads of the heating element; they should protect the plastic body of the soldering iron from high temperatures. Fig. 16: Put on pieces of ceramic shirt
- Flatten the ends of the heater and make holes using a tap for the fixing bolts.Fig. 17: Cut the thread
- Short-circuit the heat sink with copper wire with a diameter of 1 mm. If, when turned on for the first time, this conductor overheats and burns out due to the tip temperature being too high, it will need to be replaced with a thicker one of 1.5 or 2 mm. If the heating is weak, install a thinner wire of 0.5 mm.
You now have one of the most powerful soldering irons operating from a 220V network - it can easily solder parts with powerful legs, connect power circuit contacts, etc.
Rice. 18: ready pulse soldering iron
But this soldering iron cannot be called disposable, since it is assembled purposefully and requires serious effort to create. It is also advisable to have at least some kind of working soldering iron when making it, this will greatly simplify the work of separating the board.
Source: http://postroykundo.ru/payalnik-dlya-pajki-plastikovyx-trub-svoimi-rukami-svoimi-rukami-kak-sdelat-samomu.html
Soldering iron for polypropylene pipes: for plastic, how to choose, nozzles for the iron, welding and soldering PP, rating of devices
A soldering iron for polypropylene pipes can be bought at any hardware store. Recently, it has become very popular to install heating and water supply systems from polypropylene pipes.
Due to the low price and simplicity of materials, almost every homeowner can solder polypropylene pipes independently. To solder pipes like this, you need to have some skills and the necessary tools.
But first, you need to figure out how to choose this equipment correctly, so as not to pay a large amount for it or, on the contrary, not to buy a cheap fake.
:
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- Soldering iron for plastic pipes: how to purchase a quality product
- Personally prepared soldering iron for polypropylene pipes
- Tips and tricks: how to choose a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes
- Soldering iron attachments for polypropylene pipes
- What a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes looks like (video)
- Soldering iron for polypropylene (photo examples)
Soldering iron for plastic pipes: how to purchase a quality product
The task of such a soldering iron is to maintain the required temperature for connecting a polypropylene pipe with a fitting, and its heating temperature is approximately 260 degrees.
When purchasing a soldering iron for plastic pipes, you should ask the seller for a certificate confirming its quality
According to buyers, choosing a soldering iron should be selected according to 3 criteria:
- The shape of the heating element;
- Thermal power;
- The price of the device.
- By cost, soldering irons can be divided into 3 groups:
- Soldering irons made in Russia and China are cheaper;
- Soldering irons made in Turkey will most often have an average cost;
- Expensive soldering irons will be models from European manufacturers, and German and Czech soldering irons will become popular among them.
A soldering iron for plastic pipes from a Chinese manufacturer is suitable for soldering a home heating system. Experts say that such a soldering iron is definitely enough for two systems, and this is quite enough for the first job of a person who has decided to make heating using polypropylene pipes, and you can even give it to someone else to use.
You should not use Chinese-made soldering irons for commercial orders. The whole reason is not that it is not of good quality, but that it is not able to maintain an accurate temperature. The error in cheap pins reaches 10 degrees or more, and this contributes to a poor-quality connection, and you will not be able to check this visually. Defects of this kind are not acceptable when fulfilling an order.
For beginners, a soldering iron for pipes made in Turkey is more suitable. The error of Turkish soldering irons is very small and the reliability of such a soldering iron is excellent.
The cost of medium size makes soldering irons made in Turkey popular even in companies that install heating systems from plastic pipes. In order to save money, companies assure that it is more profitable to purchase 3 Turkish soldering irons than one German or Czech one.
Craftsmen who have been engaged in this type of work for many years know that a Czech and German soldering iron will serve for a long time and will ensure the quality of soldering.
Personally prepared soldering iron for polypropylene pipes
The job of a soldering iron is to stick pipes that have been heated to the desired temperature. It is not always necessary to re-solder or repair half of the wiring of the heating and plumbing systems in the house. Often there is a need to work to replace two or three connections. And in this case, it is not necessary to buy a soldering iron, but you can make it yourself.
To make a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes, you should watch the instructional video
For an electrician who has plumbing skills, making such a soldering iron will take a couple of hours.
Most often, water pipes are hidden from view; for this purpose, they are smoothed into channels and therefore you do not have to worry about beauty and aesthetics.
But this is not important, what is important is incorrect adjustment of the heating temperature and overheating of pipes or fittings, even if the overheating is not by many degrees, this will lead to defects. In such soldering, the main issue will be the quality of soldering of parts.
If, when performing soldering with a homemade soldering iron, a slight discrepancy in the appearance of the elements being soldered is allowed, then when using a purchased soldering iron, everything should be perfect.
To make a soldering iron for propylene pipes with your own hands, you will need the following materials::
- A heating element;
- The required fitting for your pipe size and soldering iron attachment;
- Nickel-plated M8 bolts and nuts, they will be used for attaching nozzles to the heater;
- Thermocouple based;
- Fastening for reliable fixation of the soldering iron on a utility surface.
In addition to temperature, the power and speed of heating the surface of the pipes for connection are also important. If the heating of the connecting elements is prolonged, then the parts that heat up lose their shape and geometric dimensions.
It is for this reason that the material should have a diameter of 15 to 30 millimeters, and the power of the device should be from 700 to 900 units. required This power corresponds to the heating of the iron.
The work scheme for plumbing is very simple, you will need a socket, a curling iron, a PVC pipe that needs to be cleaned first and, of course, the desire of the master. All the work will not take much time, because it is not difficult.
Tips and tricks: how to choose a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes
Having determined the shape of the heating platform, we proceed to the selection of technical parameters. One of the first and most important is to choose power. When choosing power, you should not choose the largest one; if more, it does not mean which is better. Since powerful soldering irons are intended for soldering large diameter pipes.
If you need to solder pipes whose size is about 50 mm, that is, this is a standard heating system, then a soldering iron with a power of 600-800 W is suitable for such purposes. In general, the packaging indicates the number of nozzles and the diameter for which they are intended. You can use these guidelines to guide you.
You should choose a soldering iron for plastic pipes based on the amount of work and financial capabilities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooY-UcQuIbU
It is important to note the thermostat, how precisely it is adjusted, how long it holds the temperature, because the quality of soldering depends on this. This is especially true for beginners.
In the absence of experience and practice in this type of work, it is worthwhile to rely on norms and regulations.
And that is why it is necessary to choose a soldering iron for pipes with a smooth temperature setting and before work, study the instructions for using the soldering iron.
Moreover, you need to study not only the instructions for using the soldering iron, but also the pipes and components you purchased, where not only the components of the pipes and other things are written, but also the optimal temperature for soldering is indicated. Then set the required temperature on your soldering iron.
If not, there are no instructions, then you can use the average holding time, but before starting soldering you need to try your hand at pipe sections more than once.
When testing on pipe sections, you will also understand whether there is enough time for warming up or whether it needs to be added or reduced. Such pipes are not expensive, so you can buy them with a reserve for training. You also need to pay attention to the nozzles. The nozzles must be coated with Teflon; due to the Teflon coating, the heated elements of polypropylene pipes are very easily removed. A high-quality coating should have a green-bluish color.
For welding propylene, it is better to choose a machine whose rating is trustworthy. For example, an electric soldering iron produced in Türkiye has excellent quality. Turkish electric soldering iron for polypropylene is a good choice if you need a professional approach and a reliable device.
Plus, it looks like a soldering gun and will attract the attention of your employers. If you are going to work with PPR once, then you can purchase Russian brands. Soldering tools can be provided to you by a plumbing store called Castorama or Stavr.
In addition, you can purchase such a product at OLKh, where you can find out its full review and view photos.
Soldering iron attachments for polypropylene pipes
The minimum number of nozzles should be 3, they are the most popular, and their diameter is 20, 25 and 32 millimeters. But after a certain period of use, the attachments included in the kit will wear out and need to be replaced.
The nozzles are cylindrical in shape made of aluminum alloy or copper, which are coated with a non-stick Teflon layer. When purchasing nozzles, pay attention to the quality of the layer, and you should not save too much on this.
Tips are often included with the soldering iron, but they can also be purchased separately.
The coating layer depends on the cost of the nozzle, that is, the smaller the layer, the price and service life are much shorter than those of an expensive one.
Wear of the nozzle manifests itself in the following ways: the appearance of smoke, plastic residues on the nozzle, sticking of parts and difficulties when removing pipes.
How to use an iron for polypropylene pipes
The process of connecting pipes is very simple and therefore attracts many home craftsmen.
The work must be carried out in the following sequence:
- We prepare the pipe for soldering in this way: it must be cut evenly and cleaned, and if necessary, remove the foil layer;
- Plug in the soldering iron and adjust the temperature;
- After the soldering iron has been heated to the temperature you have chosen, this will be indicated by a light indicator, put the pipe and fitting on different sides onto the required nozzles;
- Hold the specified time without delay and carefully remove the parts from the soldering iron;
- We connect the pipe with the fitting without rotation and the entire connection is ready.
The time that must be maintained depends on the diameter of the pipe.
What a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes looks like (video)
When choosing a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes, you need to rely on the purpose of its purchase. Cheap models are only suitable for one-time use at home. These soldering irons can be purchased at a very low price. But to start a professional career and activity, you need to buy more expensive and better quality ones. And don’t forget that the customer always pays attention to the tool you use.
Soldering iron for polypropylene (photo examples)
Source: http://thewalls.ru/neobyichnyie-resheniya/paialnik-dlia-polipropilenovyh-tryb-dlia-plastika-kak-vybrat-nasadki-na-ytug-svarka-i-paika-pp-reiting-apparatov.html
Soldering iron for polypropylene pipes made from iron - Do it yourself
Often, when operating household plumbing systems made of polypropylene, there is a need to repair or expand them, which is impossible without special soldering equipment. As a tool suitable for these purposes, purchased devices of a special design are usually used, the high cost of which forces users to think about making them themselves.
This approach is good not only because it allows you to save significant money and not waste time learning how to work with unfamiliar equipment. Thanks to independent production, it is possible to study all the intricacies of handling such devices, which ultimately affects the quality of soldering of polypropylene and other plastic pipes.
Soldering iron based on an old iron
In the case when a decision is made to make a soldering iron for pipes with your own hands, this can be done by using the old spare parts remaining on the farm. One of the most common options for making it from improvised means involves using an old electric iron for these purposes.
To implement this project you will need the following components and spare parts:
- an old iron designed for a power of at least 800 watts;
- duralumin plate of suitable size;
- steel slats from an old children's construction set;
- wires, a toggle switch, an unnecessary handle from a disassembled drill or grinder to make it convenient to hold the soldering iron.
A soldering iron for iron pipes works on the same principle as a factory-made specialized product. The spiral (heating element) heats up, transfers heat to the sole and the nozzle inserted into it.
This allows you to melt polypropylene pipes and solder them. The temperature on a homemade soldering iron is set to the maximum (should be 260-265 ℃).
Having prepared all these parts and materials, you can begin assembly.
First, the casing is removed from the iron, which allows access to its insides. Then the working part of the sole is cut off using a grinder, and in its place, a duralumin plate cut to the shape of the base is attached with an existing bolt. Next, you need to assemble a box from the spare parts of the designer and securely fasten it to the sole.
A toggle switch and a grinder handle are fixed to the elements of the box, after which one end of the power cable is connected to the switch. The second conductor, together with the outlet from the toggle switch, is connected to the heating coil through asbestos tubes.
Nozzles for fixing on polypropylene pipes will have to be purchased separately. If desired, you can connect a socket with a light bulb in parallel to the power circuit, the current through which must be limited by means of a quenching resistor. Making this simple design with your own hands will require a minimum of time.
With heating regulator
To control the heating temperature of a homemade soldering iron for polypropylene pipes, install a thermocouple. To assemble a device equipped with a heating regulator for the working sole, additional parts and spare parts will be required, namely:
- thermostat, thermocouple and two tips;
- dial indicator with a special scale (with “zero” and two sectors);
- insulated conductors with a length of at least one meter each;
- asbestos wool.
Even before starting work, you should contact a turner and ask him to make two tips of a special shape (for the fitting and for the heater outlet). The dimensions of these tips are selected based on the diameter of the tube prepared for assembly.
The procedure for assembling a soldering iron for polypropylene with a thermostat with your own hands looks like this:
- First, the casing is removed from the iron, after which the temperature regulator, as well as all unnecessary parts and wiring, are removed from its sole. After such disassembly, you should be left with a clean ironing plate.
- Then, using a drill, holes with a diameter of about 6 millimeters are drilled in the tips, after which they are bolted to the body, cleared of foreign parts (from the “nose” side). On the opposite side of the base, holes are drilled in it with a diameter suitable for mounting the thermocouple housing.
- Wires about one meter long are soldered to the thermocouple. Following this, the same conductors are used to connect the heating coil. All these wires are led out through a hole in the handle of the iron. It itself is attached directly to the casing.
- At the final stage of work, the space between the casing and the slab is filled with asbestos material (wool), which acts as a heat insulator. Upon completion of this operation, the casing is returned to its place, resulting in a housing with two pairs of conductors brought out.
These wires are connected to the power plug and the thermostat according to a circuit that allows you to set a given value for the melting temperature of polypropylene (255-265°).
Thermostat circuit and printed circuit board
Industrial designs with paired nozzles
For the manufacture of thermal nozzles for industrial soldering irons, special materials that conduct heat well (copper, aluminum alloys and the like) are used.
On the outside, they are coated with a special layer that prevents polypropylene from burning (Teflon is most often used for these purposes).
Known samples of nozzles for soldering propylene pipes differ both in their shape and in the method of attachment to the heater, which can be of different designs. In this case, preference is usually given to products that allow the installation of paired nozzles (or several pairs of them at once).
The capabilities of such a device are significantly expanded, since it becomes universal in its technical parameters.
The working dimensions of soldering iron nozzles (their diameters) must correspond to the same indicator for polypropylene pipes and have values from 16 to 110 millimeters.
Special nozzles with sizes from 20 to 32 millimeters must be included in the kit of any soldering iron that belongs to the category of semi-professional devices. Specialized models of soldering devices can be equipped with a large number of paired nozzles, the size range of which has been expanded to 63 millimeters.
Source: https://svoumirykami.ru/payalnik-dlya-polipropilenovyx-trub-iz-utyuga.html
How to make a soldering iron with your own hands: methods for making a homemade soldering iron at home - Machine
In everyday life, sometimes there is a need to solder contacts of parts, tin wires, or perform similar operations. But if you don’t have a soldering iron, you need to purchase expensive equipment, which is completely impractical for one-time work, or assemble a soldering iron yourself from scrap materials. Next, we will look at the easiest manufacturing methods to implement.
Making a soldering iron for PVC pipes with your own hands
Pipes made from artificial polymers such as PVC have become extremely popular due to their low price and ease of installation. For this reason, over time they began to replace classic metal pipes, this is especially noticeable when designing or repairing plumbing systems in apartments and houses. Old rusty pipes are simply replaced with new plastic ones, and this is done in a couple of hours.
But the merit of the quick installation of such pipes does not lie in the skill of the welder. After all, a special soldering iron is used for welding PVC pipes.
A soldering iron for PVC pipes can be purchased in a store, and there are quite budget models that won’t break your pocket.
But what if you are not ready to purchase a new device and want to save money, or just like to make electrical appliances with your own hands? In this case, you can make a soldering iron yourself, and we will explain in detail how to do this in this article.
general information
A machine for welding PVC products (or pipes made of any other artificial polymers) is an electrical device operating from a standard 220V network, designed for soldering pipes of various diameters.
Before we begin assembling this device, it would be nice to know what it consists of. The key elements of any soldering iron for pipes are a body with a comfortable handle, a thermostat, which sets the required heating temperature for the heating element, and the heating element itself, hidden in a metal casing that heats up.
Additionally, the kit can be supplied with nozzles for soldering pipes of different diameters. We have dedicated a separate article to the topic of attachments; read it to be aware of all the features. Here we will say one thing: it is preferable to use Teflon-coated nozzles. This way they are guaranteed not to stick to the pipes during heating.
Surely you may have heard that such soldering irons are often called “irons”. And this is not without reason. The fact is that the heating element is indeed visually very similar to the soleplate of an iron and their operating principle has much in common. In both the iron and the soldering iron, the surface is evenly heated, only in the case of a soldering iron, the heat from the heating element is transferred to the nozzles, and the pipe is then pressed against them to melt its edge.
In this case, the heating temperature is set using a thermostat installed in the soldering iron body. Adjusting the temperature is extremely important, because if it is too high, the pipe will simply melt in the nozzle, and if it is too low, it will simply not be able to warm up evenly. This means that the connection will be of poor quality and will quickly leak if we are talking about installing a water supply system, for example.
Peculiarities
Unfortunately, budget soldering irons are not always equipped with thermostats, and this is a big minus. After all, it is difficult for beginners to determine when the temperature is insufficient or excessive. In addition, not all home craftsmen will use the purchased soldering iron often. And spending a couple of thousand rubles on a device that will gather dust on a shelf for years is not the most rational decision.
Read also: the best soldering irons for polypropylene pipes
There is also another drawback of budget soldering irons - their unsatisfactory workmanship and sometimes poor-quality finished seam. So why buy a low-quality item and then use it a couple of times and throw it into the far corner? It is better to make a soldering iron with your own hands from improvised materials and a couple of resistors.
Of course, a homemade tool won't be as good as a $200 soldering iron, but it will definitely help you with one-time minor repairs. In addition, you yourself will know what it is made of and will be able to choose better materials. Instead of cheap plastic (which can be found in all Chinese soldering irons), take aluminum. Then your device will be head and shoulders above budget store-bought soldering irons. It is enough to apply minimal knowledge of electrical engineering.
Soldering iron assembly
soldering iron for plastic pipes
Let's start assembling. To weld polypropylene pipes we need an old iron. We need to remove the “sole” from it, it will act as a heating element. In the photo it is shown as number 1. We drill a hole in the heating element and use bolts to attach the heating elements on both sides. Next, you need to make a thermostat (number 3 in the photo) and pack it in a heat-insulating casing, it is indicated by number 2.
To assemble the thermostat, use the diagram below. For R1 you will need a variable resistor of 500 kOhm, for R2 - a resistor of 4.7 kOhm 0.5, for R3 - you can take a resistor of 1 mOhm, 0.25 w. For VS1, DB-3 type dinistors are perfect; for VS2, take TC 25-4 triacs. An electric heater with a power of 1000V is suitable for T3H. And for C1 we recommend taking a 0.1 uF capacitor, 400 v. Use a neon lamp type HL 1 as an indicator light.
Prepare the aluminum housing. In our case, the size is 13x6x9 centimeters. Place the thermostat on the board in it; the board should be made of foil PCB. Place the temperature control knob outside the aluminum housing. It is desirable that it has divisions. Additionally, you can equip the device with a light bulb for convenient indication. It will signal that the device is turned on and heating up.
Fix all this on a PCB plate (number 4). Then attach it to the heating element and place it on an aluminum stand (number 5). Be sure to place a fluoroplastic insulator between the plate and the casing (number 6 in the photo).
Insert the protruding part of the PCB plate into the groove (its location is indicated by number 8 in the photo). It can be removed at any time for more convenient storage. You can also build a handle out of wood and attach it to the plate. All! The iron for PVC pipes is ready.
This device can be used in the same way as a factory-made soldering iron. Using such a device, we soldered pipes with a diameter of 20 millimeters and heated them for only 3-5 seconds. The heating element generates so much heat that it is enough for quick and high-quality soldering.
Instead of a conclusion
With this simple method you can make a fairly effective welding machine for PVC products. In addition, this soldering iron is also suitable for soldering other types of products made from artificial polymers, such as plastic or polypropylene. In principle, you can buy a set of attachments in the store and use them in conjunction with such a homemade soldering iron. Then it will become a truly functional device, capable of soldering pipes of various diameters.
Have you ever used pipe soldering irons in your practice? Have you ever had to make them yourself? If yes, then tell us about it in the comments in our article. Your experience will be useful for many newbies. We wish you good luck in your work!
Source: https://svarkaed.ru/svarka-plastmass-i-polimerov/oborudovanie/delaem-payalnik-dlya-trub-pvh-svoimi-rukami.html
Making a soldering iron with your own hands: 3 best ways
In everyday life, sometimes there is a need to solder contacts of parts, tin wires, or perform similar operations. But if you don’t have a soldering iron, you need to purchase expensive equipment, which is completely impractical for one-time work, or assemble a soldering iron yourself from scrap materials. Next, we will look at the easiest manufacturing methods to implement.
DIY soldering iron for soldering plastic pipes
Polypropylene pipes, due to their low cost and ease of connection, are used by many owners when installing water supply in an apartment or house. There are many tools for soldering pipes, but not everyone can afford them, so I made a soldering iron from an old electric iron.
On the “sole” of the iron (heating element) (photo 1, item 1) in a pre-drilled hole, using a bolt on both sides, I attached a heating element for the outer (7) and inner (see photo 2) diameters of the pipes. The heat-insulating casing (photo 1, item 2) and the temperature controller module (3), mounted on a textolite plate (4), were connected to the heating element and installed on a stand (5). PTFE insulators (6) were placed between the casing and the plate.
The aluminum stand securely holds the structure, and the protruding part of the textolite plate is freely inserted into its groove (8) and easily removed, which allows you to conveniently store the device. I attached the wooden handle with self-tapping screws to the textolite. The temperature controller module was assembled according to the diagram
When installing a water pipeline, I turn on the soldering iron and set the desired temperature. I insert 25 mm diameter pipes into the heating element on both sides for no more than 5 seconds, take them out and solder them together, connecting the heated ends.
Diagram of a homemade soldering iron for plastic pipes
1. Variable 500 kOhm (R 1)
2. Resistor 4.7 kOhm 0.5 w (R2)
3. Resistor 1 mOhm, 0.25 w(R3)
4. Dinistor DB-3(VS 1)
5. Triac TS 25-4 (VS 2)
6. Thermal electric heater 1000w(T3H)
7. Capacitor 0.1 uF, 400 v(C 1)
8. Neon lamp HL 1 (network indicator)
The temperature controller is mounted in an aluminum case measuring 130x60x90 mm on a board made of foil fiberglass. The control knob is located outside and has divisions. When the device is turned on, the red lamp lights up.
Source: http://kak-svoimi-rukami.com/2016/09/payalnik-dlya-pajki-plastikovyh-trub-svoimi-rukami/
DIY soldering iron for polypropylene pipes – DIY home
Due to their low price and ease of connection, PP pipes are used by many owners when installing a water metering unit in a house or apartment. There are a lot of devices for soldering pipes, but not everyone can afford them, so I made a soldering machine from an old electric iron.
On the “sole” of the iron (tubular-type heating element) (photo 1, item 1) in a pre-drilled hole using a bolt on both sides, I attached a TEN for the outer (7) and inner (see photo 2) diameters of the pipes. The heat-insulating casing (photo 1, item 2) and the temperature controller module (3), mounted on a textolite plate (4), were combined with a tubular-type heating element and installed on a stand (5). PTFE insulators (6) were placed between the casing and the plate.
The aluminum stand securely holds the structure, and the protruding part of the textolite plate is freely placed in its groove (8) and very easily removed, which makes it possible to comfortably store the device. I attached the wooden handle with self-tapping screws to the PCB. The temperature controller module was assembled according to the diagram
When installing the water meter unit, I turn on the soldering machine and set the required temperature. I insert pipes d 25 mm into the TEN on both sides for no more than 5 seconds, take them out and solder them together, connecting the heated ends.
Diagram of a homemade soldering iron for plastic pipes
1. Variable 500 kOhm (R 1)
2. Resistor 4.7 kOhm 0.5 w (R2)
3. Resistor 1 mOhm, 0.25 w(R3)
4. Dinistor DB-3(VS 1)
5. Triac TS 25-4 (VS 2)
6. Thermal electric heater 1000w(T3H)
7. Capacitor 0.1 uF, 400 v(C 1)
8. Neon lamp HL 1 (network indicator)
The temperature controller is mounted in an aluminum housing measuring 130x60x90 mm on a board made of foil fiberglass. The control knob is located outside and has divisions. When the device is turned on, the red lamp lights up.
DIY soldering machine for plastic pipes - photo
Source: http://nehomesdeaf.org/otoplenie-chastnogo-doma/pajalnik-dlja-polipropilenovyh-trub-svoimi-rukami/
DIY welding machine for polypropylene pipes
In this episode of the alexgyver channel, there is a master class on the topic of making a device for welding polypropylene pipes with temperature control. The characteristics of the welding machine will differ little from ready-made store-bought versions.
Inventors shop at a budget Chinese online store.
These devices are not particularly expensive. But the master decided to try to make a compact homemade one at a lower cost than a factory one. This homemade product has a control system.
It is known that it is possible to weld polypropylene pipes using a gas burner, but this method is not convenient and produces an unattractive seam of poor quality. It is especially difficult to connect thin-walled pipes with it. Somewhere they overheated, somewhere they overlooked it. And the gas burner costs the same as the device developed by the author of the video.
For welding pipes, a temperature of 360 degrees is recommended, and for different pipes at this temperature there is an optimal heating time. Therefore, a thermostatic heating system is needed and the quality of soldering with such a soldering iron will be the same as that of a factory one.
What you need to prepare for work
We will need a 1 kilowatt boiler, which you can buy at any hardware store. We will measure the temperature with a high-temperature thermocouple with a driver. The Arduino will process the value and control the activation of the relay. We will power it from a phone charger.
DIY electronics in a Chinese store.
The cheapest way to buy all electronics is in the online store. Arduino - in this Chinese store. Network management module – link.
It is better to buy nozzles for welding pipes, since the quality of the seam depends on them. Making such attachments with your own hands is not very advisable, since they are quite cheap, but at the same time they have a non-stick coating. You can make such attachments from an unnecessary frying pan by cutting it into strips and rolling it into cylinders. If anyone deals with such game, these are the sizes of purchased baits.
The welding machine will work like this
The boiler is connected via a relay. Its temperature is constantly measured by a sensor and, using the Arduino parameters, controls the switching on and off of the current on the boiler. The temperature is maintained at up to 160 degrees.
The heating is turned off above 270 degrees and turned on again below 250. This way the temperature range is maintained. Field-effect transistors and smooth power control using regulators are not specifically used in order to simplify the design.
Let the relay click.
Let's move on to manufacturing
Let's disassemble the boiler. We need to measure its resistance so that after finishing the work we can make sure that we haven’t shorted or damaged anything unnecessary. The most difficult thing in this project is to unbend the volumetric spiral of the boiler and rewind it into a flat spiral. It bends very badly and I had to warm it up.
Heat until blackened and wait for it to cool slowly in the air. At the same time, the boiler may have become a little softer. Be careful not to make any strong dents with the pliers, as this may cause the tube to break. Use pliers through a rag, vice. As a result, we get a flat spiral.
The M8 bolt should fit comfortably into the central hole. The attachments will be attached to the device.
Let's check the resistance. All the same 60 ohms. This means the boiler is in perfect order. You can also check whether the device will give you an electric shock. Great, no contact. This means that the spiral does not touch the body anywhere.
Inside the boiler there is a nichrome spiral rolled in plaster.
The parts of the spiral closest to the ends are intended the least. You can use a wooden stand. Let it even char a little. It's OK.
Continuation of the video about the manufacture of a welding machine that successfully connects polypropylene pipes, from 4 minutes.
Firmware and code here. alexgyver.ru/PP_welder_source/
In another article about the welder's box.
Source: https://izobreteniya.net/svarochnyiy-apparat-dlya-polipropilenovyih-trub-svoimi-rukami/
Soldering iron for polypropylene pipes from a boiler
Wonderful material - polypropylene!
I use it to make various homemade items for myself and for friends.
Recently they asked me to make a small homemade project, or rather a stand.
In total, it was necessary to solder six fittings and a couple of meters of pipe. But here’s the problem: I just lent my soldering iron to friends, and I didn’t ask for it back so quickly.
I started thinking about what else I could use to solder polypropylene. I know that they solder with a gas torch, but I don’t have one.
Materials and tools
But there is an old “bucket” soldering iron, which I have not needed for a long time. So I decided to make something out of it.
I needed a few more details.
— wire and aluminum plate;
— textolite sheet;
— thermostat and iron indicator lamp;
— ceramic insulators;
- thermal paste;
- thermal tape;
— nozzle for welding polypropylene pipes (25mm);
— new electric plug;
- various bolts and nuts.
Making a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes
Two blanks were made from an aluminum plate: a substrate for a thermostat and a holder for a polypropylene nozzle.
The legs and parts of the body for the thermostat are made of PCB.
Next, I secured the thermostat itself near the kettle handle.
I connected an indicator light to the thermostat terminals. And connected the insulators using thermal tape.
I connected the top and bottom of the case with screws and nuts through insulators. The lower part of the body does not touch the boiler tubes.
To connect the thermostat in series, a break was made in the power cable. I soldered and insulated the wires with electrical tape along with the kettle handle.
I made the legs from aluminum with insulators from PCB plates at the end.
The 25 mm nozzle fits perfectly inside the boiler spiral. A U-shaped aluminum plate is already placed on top of the nozzle. The connection points are coated with thermal paste.
For soldering I needed a 20 mm nozzle. I connected it with a homemade screw made from an 8 mm bolt.
Al was also wound on top as an additional radiator. larger diameter wire.
Testing a homemade soldering iron
During the first test, one drawback was revealed, not counting the smoke and smell from the burning of the new “device” - the indicator’s operation was not entirely convenient. The light is on when the soldering iron is turned off and off when it is running. But this is not scary, it’s just a matter of habit. Perhaps I will upgrade it in the future.
Soldering pipes with a homemade soldering iron
The thermostat was set to low. Heating occurs quickly. I didn’t notice any difference in the quality of soldering, since the nozzle itself remained the same, only the heating element changed.
So I managed to make a couple of welding joints with my experimental soldering iron.
Source: https://www.freeseller.ru/6633-payalnik-dlya-polipropilenovyh-trub-iz-kipyatilnika.html
Homemade soldering iron for polypropylene pipes
Often, when operating household plumbing systems made of polypropylene, there is a need to repair or expand them, which is impossible without special soldering equipment. As a tool suitable for these purposes, purchased devices of a special design are usually used, the high cost of which forces users to think about making them themselves.
This approach is good not only because it allows you to save significant money and not waste time learning how to work with unfamiliar equipment. Thanks to independent production, it is possible to study all the intricacies of handling such devices, which ultimately affects the quality of soldering of polypropylene and other plastic pipes.
