Home › Store Products › Machines & Equipment › Plumbing & Installation Equipment
Machines & equipment
Plumbing & Installation Equipment
Threading, cutting, joining, testing and clearing for pipework installation.
Overview
What this covers
Material
Steel, PPR, PVC and HDPE join differently.
Size range
Largest pipe decides the machine.
Portability
Bench or site.
Equipment
Machines in this group
Marked by how we normally hold them. Availability is confirmed at quotation.
Threading
Cutting threads on steel pipe.
Cutting
Square cuts in pipe.
Grooving
Roll grooving for coupling systems.
Plastic welding
Heat fusion for PPR and plastic.
HDPE / PVC joining
Larger plastic pipe systems.
Drain clearing
Clearing blockages.
Pressure testing
Proving an installation before closing it up.
Bending
Forming pipe without fittings.
Applications
Typical work
- Threading and assembling steel pipework
- Joining PPR hot and cold water systems
- Cutting pipe square before joining
- Pressure testing before concealing pipework
- Clearing blocked drains and waste pipes
- Forming bends without fittings
Who buys these
Trades and teams
Power
Power and drive options
Threading machines are usually single-phase electric; larger ones may want three phase. PPR welding machines are electric and portable. Pressure testing pumps are frequently hand-operated, which suits sites with no supply.
Confirm the site supply for threading machines in particular — they draw a substantial starting current.
Comparison
How the options compare
| Threading | Grooving | Heat fusion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe material | Steel, GI | Steel | PPR, plastic |
| Joint made by | Threaded fittings | Mechanical couplings | Melted and fused |
| Speed | Slower | Faster on large pipe | Fast on small pipe |
| Sealing | Thread sealant required | Gasket in coupling | Fused, no sealant |
| Typical use | General steel plumbing | Fire lines, large diameters | Hot and cold water |
| Availability | Supplier-confirmed availability | Source on order | Fast-moving |
Choosing
How to choose
- Name the pipe material. Steel, PPR, PVC and HDPE need entirely different machines.
- State the size range. The largest pipe you handle sets the machine. A machine rated below it cannot be used for that size.
- Decide bench or portable. Repeat work in one place suits bench. Service and maintenance work suits portable.
- Budget for dies and elements. Threading dies and PPR heating elements are wear parts and size-specific.
- Confirm the site supply. Threading machines in particular draw a heavy starting current.
Accessories
What goes with it
Accessories
Consumables and wear parts
Safety equipment
Ownership
Maintenance, spares and service
Threading dies blunt and must be replaced — a blunt die tears the thread rather than cutting it, and the joint leaks. Use cutting oil generously; it extends die life considerably.
PPR heating element sleeves must be kept clean. Melted plastic residue on a socket produces poor fusion, which is the most common cause of a joint failing later.
Price
What affects the price
- Machine type
- Pipe size range
- Motor rating and phase
- Bench or portable
- Brand
- Dies, elements and accessories included
- Warranty terms
- Spare parts availability
- Quantity
Availability
What affects availability and lead time
- PPR welders, pipe cutters and testing pumps move fastest
- Threading machines and drain cleaning machines available through the supplier network in limited quantity
- Grooving machines and HDPE fusion equipment sourced on order
- Specific size ranges and three-phase models need supplier confirmation
Quotation
What to send with an enquiry
- Pipe material and the size range you work with
- Largest pipe diameter
- Bench or portable preference
- Power available on site
- Whether dies, elements or accessories are needed
- Quantity and preferred brand
- Existing machine model if replacing
Avoid
Common mistakes
- Choosing capacity from the usual pipe rather than the largest
- Running threading dies without cutting oil
- Leaving residue on PPR heating sockets
- Not pressure testing before concealing pipework
Questions
Frequently asked
What size pipe threading machine do I need?
The largest pipe diameter you need to thread sets the machine. Machines state a size range; below and above it they cannot be used.
Tell us the range and whether the machine stays in one place, and we will identify options against manufacturer specifications.
Do I need a PPR welding machine for plastic pipe?
For PPR, yes — the joint is made by heat fusion, not by solvent or thread. For UPVC and CPVC, joints are solvent-welded and need no machine.
Where to go next