A tool for installing metal-plastic pipes is an indispensable attribute when laying any pipeline. It is difficult to imagine a heating or water supply system without pipes. And a special place among the pipe-rolling materials used is occupied by metal-plastic pipe (hereinafter referred to as MP).
Metal-plastic is an excellent material for various pipelines, proven over the years. It can withstand temperatures up to + 95 degrees and pressure up to 10 atm. Interest in metal-plastic systems is increased by the simplicity and speed of installation work. Such technical characteristics determined the high level of popularity of these products.
The specifics of manufacturing metal-plastic assortments require careful handling and strict compliance with the conditions of installation work. And high-quality installation of such a system can only be done with the help of special tools, both basic and auxiliary.
Many works when installing, for example, a water supply system made of metal-plastic pipes, can be performed with various available tools, but in this way you cannot be sure that you will get an even cut on the pipes and the protective layer will not be damaged. The results of such actions will manifest themselves much later during the operation of the pipeline, since the butt joints will weaken and begin to leak.
Types of tools
Metal-plastic pipes have been highly appreciated by professional craftsmen due to their excellent performance and ease of handling. They are not difficult to bend and connect with fittings of various types.
Many installation jobs can be done manually, but it is better to use a special tool. This speeds up the installation process and allows you to create a tight and reliable connection. According to the type of tasks performed, such devices are divided into the following groups:
- Cutting devices.
- Bending devices.
- Docking devices.
Cutting accessories
The metal-plastic system has a high degree of flexibility. Manufacturers supply these products in coils, where the length is two, three, five or more meters. For these reasons, it is necessary to determine the required length of the pipeline and prepare pipe sections of the required size.
Often an ordinary hacksaw is used for this work, but it can deform the cross-section of the pipe, leaving behind burrs. Professional craftsmen recommend cutting with the following tools:
- Special scissors.
- Cutters.
Do PEX products have any disadvantages?
Cross-linked plastic has disadvantages that the manufacturer eliminates at the production stage, the main ones being:
- High oxygen permeability. Technical operation rules regulate the oxygen content in water circulating in heating networks. Its presence in a liquid leads to the oxidation of metal products as a result of interaction, due to which metal oxides (rust) are formed, leading to accelerated destruction of metal parts. Therefore, during production, PEX is coated with a diffusion layer of synthetic components that prevent oxygen from entering the water.
- PEX is UV resistant. To protect it, it is painted at the manufacturing stage and used indoors.
- Installation of a pipeline requires the purchase of connecting fittings and specialized tools, which from an economic point of view is quite expensive, as is the cost of 1 linear meter of pipes, which is about 0.7 USD.
Scissors
They have a simple design. The main tool in it is a wedge-shaped knife, which is made of hardened steel. Another important design element is the latch. It prevents the tool from opening uncontrollably. A very sharp knife can cause serious injury, so this precaution is important.
These devices have very comfortable handles; they make it possible to hold the scissors firmly and make precise cuts.
The tool also has a knife with teeth, which has an additional function, and a button with which you can return the mechanism to its original position.
These tools are best suited for home use. The modern market segment provides a wide selection of products in this line. But the following companies gained the highest popularity:
- Rothenberger;
- Reed;
- General.
Watch video: scissors for cutting metal-plastic pipes
Good scissors for cutting PPR and REHAU pipes
Fixing pipes
When installing home plumbing, pipes are most often secured to the wall with special plastic clamps. They are simple latches that are attached to the wall with a regular screw.
It's easy to mount them on the wall
Obviously, in the case of wooden walls, installation on a frame made of galvanized profile or a block of tools, you only need a screwdriver and a screwdriver.
In the case of concrete or brick walls, the set of tools for fixing the water supply will be larger:
- A hammer drill with a drill or an impact drill with a Pobedit drill of the appropriate diameter;
- Hammer (plastic or wooden dowels need to be driven into the wall, right?);
- A sharp knife (the remaining dowel on the outside of the wall must be carefully cut);
- Again, a screwdriver or screwdriver.
Cutter
It is recommended for use in small and medium volume systems. A knife made of especially strong hardened steel was mounted into the device. The cutters are equipped with long handles and a lever ratchet mechanism that allows for cutting. These devices allow you to work with tubular products with a volume of up to 63 mm.
Valtec is rightfully considered the best manufacturer of cutters. This brand is known not only for high-quality cutters for metal-plastic products, but also for joining parts, compression equipment and many other installation accessories.
Another “whale” of manufacturing is the “Rothenberger” brand. All products of this company are not inferior to the previous manufacturer in terms of reliability.
Classification of pipe benders according to other parameters
According to the bending method, pipe benders are:
- crossbow Allows bending up to 90º around the device. They are compact and low cost;
- spring. Suitable for bending both copper and aluminum structures. Longer spring pipe benders allow you to work with longer sections. Some models are equipped with the ability to move the spring, which allows them to be used on individual sections of the pipe, and not on the entire structure as a whole;
- segmental.
Different types of pipe benders can be used to bend metal-plastic pipes.
A pipe bender can work by:
- rolling technique, when the structure is located between the stationary and rolling rollers of the device. The gradual impact on the pipe using back-and-forth movements virtually eliminates the possibility of deformation;
- winding technique, when clamps press the structure against a rotating bending roller. To avoid crushing the pipe, a mandrel should be inserted inside it - a metal rod of the appropriate cross-section with a rounded end. The mandrel can be flexible, made of several interconnected sections.
Pipe cutters
When cutting large-volume metal-plastic pipes, you cannot do without a pipe cutter.
Using this tool you can ensure the full functioning of any residential building. These installation tools are available in manual and electric versions. Comparing these two options, it should be noted that the cost of the first devices is lower, and the level of functionality and ease of use is higher. Manual mechanisms are very convenient to use for working in confined spaces and hard-to-reach areas.
It is also appropriate to carry out installation in rooms where there is no electrical network. Naturally, an electrical device will not be able to work in such a situation, but a hand tool can cope in such conditions.
In construction stores you can purchase various pipe cutters for installing MP mains. All information about the product is provided in convenient catalogs. After viewing them, you can compare the technical capabilities of various models and find out their cost.
The leadership in the manufacture of these products is held by the already named Rothenberger. Also, a large number of products in this line belong to Chinese companies. The price and quality of these products are significantly lower.
Calibrator
During cuts, the cross-section of the rolled pipe assortment may change. You can give it its previous shape using a tool such as a calibrator. It not only helps return the cut to a round shape, but also removes the chamfer on the inside. This tool is inserted into the pipe and turned a couple of times.
For the calibrator to work properly, the workpiece must be cut at an angle of 90 degrees. The calibrator fitting must be inserted exactly along the axis, and the pipe must be advanced until the knives rest against the inner layer.
This processing of the assortment is necessary when preparing it for joining. After two hundred operations performed, the knives on the device need to be sharpened; for this, a needle file or ordinary sandpaper is used.
The best products in this line for installation are those from Italian manufacturers.
IMPORTANT! When purchasing any of the tools for cutting pipe assortments, you must strictly adhere to the recommendations given by the manufacturers regarding the volume of products to be processed. Also, devices must be placed correctly relative to the cut line.
Crimping pliers
Crimping pliers are used to join the lines of the line with the installation of press fittings. Such installation can only be carried out efficiently using this tool. The result is a durable and reliable joint that will not require burdensome further maintenance, because such units cannot be disassembled.
There are different types of ticks:
- Manual.
- Hydraulic.
- Electromechanical.
Hand-held devices are suitable for household needs.
Pipe benders
When installing pipelines, metal-plastic pipe materials have to be bent. At first glance, this is not a difficult job. But, if done incorrectly, the inner aluminum tube may be damaged.
Experts recommend pipe benders for this type of work. You can’t do without them when you have to constantly bend tubular products at different angles. Moreover, the bends turn out to be perfectly smooth and are performed without much physical effort.
Pipe benders make it possible to work with different types of assortments and are the safest devices for installation. In addition, it should be noted that the devices are easy to use. All you need is to set the desired bend angle, insert the workpiece into the machine and bring the handles together.
The only drawback of pipe benders for metal-plastic pipes is the fact that when they are not used often in everyday life, then it is better to rent them. And it’s worth buying them in cases where pipe bending has to be done constantly.
The best products in this class for the metal-plastic range are products from German manufacturers. Domestic products are also distinguished by good quality of work.
Installation
The main tool for installing polypropylene pipes during the actual assembly of the water supply system is a special soldering iron.
A soldering iron for polypropylene pipes is structurally composed of a heating element and replaceable nozzles designed for simultaneous heating of the pipe and fitting.
Many nozzles are needed for pipes of different diameters.
The actual connection between the pipe and the fitting looks like this:
- Select a soldering iron nozzle corresponding to the diameter of the pipe;
- A pipe is inserted into the wider part of the nozzle;
- The fitting is put on its narrow part;
- After the outer surface of the pipe and the inner surface of the fitting are melted, the pipe and fitting are neatly joined to each other;
- We hold the connected elements of the water supply system motionless for about half a minute.
That's all, you can move on to the next connection.
This simple tool costs much less than the services of a qualified plumber
Tip: When inserting a pipe into a fitting, never twist it. With any turn, the surface of the pipe moves in a kind of “wave,” again reducing the permeability of the pipe and deteriorating the quality of the connection.
