During the installation of the pipeline rarely do without crimping operations. In fact, this is a simple action that can be performed by a layman at home. However, for the high-quality implementation of the procedure, an appropriate tool is still required. Typically, press fittings or crimping pliers are used for such purposes , allowing a damage-resistant and tight joint to be made with minimal physical effort.
Features of Hand Presses
There are several varieties of press tongs that differ in the nature of the principle of action and performance. Usually distinguish between manual and mechanized battery or network models. The standard solution is considered to be the manual version. This option is suitable for working with pipes with a diameter of up to 26 m. That is, it is advisable to use this tool at home with small workloads. It is more profitable to use a mains or cordless press for metal-plastic pipes where large volumes of work are to be performed. Also, electrical devices outperform hand presses in that they also provide additional features - for example, they realize illumination in dark rooms without access to artificial lighting. But such modifications are also more expensive.
Key Features
The main working characteristic is the diameter with which the tool can service the pipes. It is important to note that in the choice it is not enough to pay attention only to the maximum upper bar - for example, 32 mm. The fact is that each version covers a specific range of sizes. So, there are tongs for pressing metal-plastic pipes that work only in the corridor of diameters from 12 to 24 mm. Or there are more powerful versions that can serve a range of 16–32 mm. In addition, for ease of operation, it is important to consider the rotation characteristics of the press head. Almost all modern models provide 360 ° torsion, but there are exceptions. Especially when it comes to the regular use of the device, its mass should be taken into account. On average, press mites weigh 6-8 kg. The smaller the mass, the more energy is saved in the process of performing work actions.
Manufacturers
Despite the external simplicity of the tool, its manufacture and development of the design requires serious resources. Not every company can afford it. In the Russian market, in particular, high-quality press for metal-plastic pipes are represented by the brands ROTHENBERGER, REMS and Valtec. ROTHENBERGER manufactures a wide range of different crimping machines, as well as auxiliary devices for working with pipelines.
The products of the REMS brand are distinguished by structural advantages and high quality materials used in the manufacture of tools. No less remarkable is the Valtec press for metal-plastic pipes, which is mainly produced in the form of radial models. This is an almost universal plumbing unit, through which it is possible to serve not only metal-plastic, but also copper, stainless and cast-iron pipes. Another thing is that in each case, the tool should be suitable for performance to implement a specific task.
Tool Operation Nuances
Typically, crimping is performed with pipes that could be deformed when cut. In this case, it is necessary to restore the optimal round shape by means of the calibrator, and also to remove the chamfer on the inner edge. Further preparatory work is carried out. They consist in installing a fitting that will not allow the pipe to deform again when working with pliers. It is very important to carry out the correct snap-in liners and gaskets. This eliminates the risk of mechanical damage to surfaces. Now you can install the press for crimping metal-plastic pipes in the working position and through physical effort to perform the operation. The quality of the crimp will also depend on how correctly the size has been chosen - that is, the degree of correspondence of the diameters. The end result will be the formation of two metal arcuate strips that will ensure the mating of the different sides of the pipes.
How much do press fittings cost?
The simplest models of press ticks are estimated at 3-4 thousand rubles. As a rule, these are models from Russian manufacturers, which differ in small dimensions and modest sets of nozzles. Versions from the aforementioned manufacturers, even in entry-level versions, cost about 10-12 thousand rubles. A professional manual crimping tool is available for 15-20 thousand. It is important to note that such devices are often supplied without nozzles at all, and their advantages are expressed in the high quality of mechanics and versatility. If the price of a press for metal-plastic pipes is less than 5 thousand, then it is more likely to be a short-lived tool of low quality. True, such models are also found in the lines of large manufacturers. The low cost in this case will be due to the small size of the press tongs, their weak ergonomics and focus on work with diameters in a narrow range - usually small.
How to choose a press for plastic pipes?
If you plan to purchase a model for frequent use in working with pipelines, then you should give preference to universal tools, that is, those modifications that are capable of serving the widest range of work. By the way, for use in everyday life, a device that works with 10-16 mm formats is quite suitable. Larger diameters are still serviced by experienced professionals. If pliers for pressing metal-plastic pipes forming the responsible lines of the main networks are selected, then it is worth considering the feasibility of buying a hand tool as such. Perhaps the best solution in this situation will be a network or battery device. But, on the other hand, the complete autonomy of manual modifications in working on remote de-energized objects is also a significant plus, and this must be taken into account.
Conclusion
Plumbers practice a lot of ways that realize the connection of pipes. Some of them are characterized by ease of use, while others allow you to perform durable joints with a high degree of tightness. A metal-plastic tube crimp press is more likely to fall into the second category of joining techniques. Provided that a high-quality operation is performed in this way, it is possible to organize a reliable pipeline network with minimal costs. As for the accessibility and ease of this method from the point of view of installation, it is certainly not the easiest, but the result obtained is more likely to justify technical troubles.