Roofing
Single-ply membrane
TPO and PVC laps on the deck want a driven overlap welder, a 40 mm seam, and a setting written on the morning’s test weld. Hand guns are for details and patches.
Applications
Pick the tool from the seam.
The same heat source is wrong for half of these jobs. Start with the plastic and the length of the run.
Covers
Truck tarps
Coated polyester fails when the overlap is dusty or the gun outruns the melt. Clean the lap, weld a coupon, then move to the automatic for the long edges.
Liners
Geomembrane
HDPE and LLDPE ponds and landfills are wedge-welded, then checked with air in the test channel. Extrusion fills the details a wedge cannot reach.
Graphics
Banners and awnings
Light automatic welders keep a narrow, even seam on PVC banner. A table setup beats welding on the floor when the panel is still clean.
Shop
Fabrication
Tanks, ducts, and fittings in PE, PP, and PVC are extruder work once the joint needs filler. Speed-weld tips cover rod on thinner profiles.
Repair
Small jobs
A 1400 W gun with a slot nozzle is enough for a torn cover, a shrunk sleeve, or a short patch. Keep a spare element in the case.