HDD drill rods

Welded HDD Pipe

North Star Welded HDD Pipe. Friction-welded HDD pipe for directional drilling. Review rig-specific dimensions, connection details and pipe selection requirements.

Compare the listed rig model, pipe body diameter, joint dimensions, overall length and thread connection. Review the specified make-up torque and bend radius for the selected row. Friction-welded construction and the listed S135 material information should be checked against the required order configuration.

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WELDED HDD DRILL RODS

Welded HDD
Drill Rods

Reliable friction-welded drill rods for horizontal directional drilling.
Built for general HDD projects, short to medium-distance crossings and cost-sensitive applications where durability, compatibility and consistent manufacturing matter.

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View Specifications
FRICTION-WELDED
100% in-house welding
S135 STEEL GRADE
Heat-treated joints
FIELD-PROVEN
Since 2004
RIG-COMPATIBLE
9+ major brands
WHY WELDED

A Proven HDD Drill Pipe Design

North Star produced China’s first HDD drill pipe in 2004, starting with a simple friction-welded model using a plain-end tube. Through nearly 15 years of field testing and development, our process has been refined for strength, durability and practical cost efficiency. Today, our welded HDD drill rods are a popular choice among partners and customers in China and across Asia.
For general horizontal directional drilling, friction-welded drill rods offer a practical balance of reliability, wear resistance, compatibility and price.

China’s First HDD Pipe

North Star produced China’s first HDD drill pipe in 2004: a simple, friction-welded model using a plain-end tube. Through nearly 15 years of field testing and development, our team has refined the welding process. Today’s friction-welded models are valued for durability, reliability and competitive pricing.

Enhanced Friction Welding

Our enhanced friction-welding process ensures both strength and durability at the weld area. The pipe body is upset forged to increase the weld area, and quality control testing guarantees mechanical consistency. Custom heat-treated joints provide superior hardness and wear resistance, extending service life in abrasive formations.

100% In-House Manufacturing

All our welded pipes are manufactured 100% in-house at our two purpose-built facilities. From raw material inspection to friction welding, heat treatment and final non-destructive testing, every step is controlled by our own team. Since 2016 we have invested more than US$4 million in upgrading and expanding capacity, with an annual output of nearly 300,000 pipes.

Wide Rig Compatibility

Our welded HDD rods are compatible with major HDD rig brands worldwide — including Vermeer, Ditch Witch, XCMG, DW-TXS, Goodeng, Drillto, Hanlyma and Dilong. Whether you operate international or Chinese rigs, we have the right pipe for your machine.

MANUFACTURING & QC

Controlled from Raw Material to Final Release

Our welded drill pipe manufacturing process is controlled from incoming steel inspection through friction welding, in-house heat treatment, laboratory testing, final non-destructive testing and serial-based traceability.

01 Raw Material
Every batch is checked on delivery for dimensional accuracy and steel chemistry.

02 Friction Welding
Enhanced friction welding with an upset tube body increases the weld area and creates a robust bond.

03 Heat Treatment
100% in-house quench-and-temper processing for HDD pipe joints.

04 Laboratory Testing
Post-heat-treatment material testing is completed in our own laboratory for immediate technical evaluation.

05 Quality Control
Every item receives process control and testing before final release.

06 Traceability
Work numbers and serial numbers link manufacturing data from raw material to final inspection.

PRODUCT & MATERIAL

Built around the rig and connection

Construction
Friction-welded tube and tool joint

Steel
S135 steel grade

Heat Treatment
100% in-house quench and temper

Inspection
Quality control and destructive/non-destructive testing according to the production programme

Traceability
Work number + serial number

SPECIFICATIONS

Welded HDD Drill Rod Specifications

For accurate selection, confirm the rig model, current pipe source, pipe body OD, overall length, tool joint OD, thread details and serial number.

Key selection parameters
Welded HDD rod sizes · Welded HDD drill rod sizes · HDD drill rod dimensions · HDD drill rod specifications · HDD drill pipe specifications · Torque · Bend radius · Tensile strength · Wear resistance · Durability · Thread · Connection

Exact welded HDD rod sizes and connection configurations should be verified from the rig model or existing pipe information. These details allow a manufacturer or supplier to match the correct rod specification.

APPLICATIONS

Built for Practical HDD Work

Welded HDD drill rods are designed for horizontal directional drilling in general projects, short to medium-distance crossings, normal to moderately abrasive formations and cost-sensitive applications where reliability and price are both critical.
01

Urban Utility Installation

Water, gas, sewage and telecom pipelines beneath roads, buildings and developed urban areas.
02

River & Waterway Crossings

A practical HDD drill rod solution for river and waterway crossings where reliable performance and rig compatibility are important.
03

Short to Medium-Distance HDD

Typically up to 300 m, depending on rig capability, rod configuration, ground conditions and the specific HDD project.
04

Normal to Moderately Abrasive Soil

Designed for normal to moderately abrasive soil formations, with heat-treated joints supporting wear resistance.
05

Cost-Sensitive HDD Projects

A competitive choice where dependable welded drill pipe performance and project cost both matter.
COMPARE

Welded vs Forged HDD Drill Rods

Choose the construction according to drilling load, distance, ground conditions, required performance and project budget.
FORGED

Forged HDD Drill Rods

Best for: High-load, long-distance, complex formations and premium projects.
Joint process: Upset forging — smoother transition, lower stress concentration.
Steel grade: Fine-grained S135, 100% inspection of forged ends.
Price point: Premium.

WELDED

Welded HDD Drill Rods

Best for: General projects, budget-sensitive applications and normal soil conditions.
Joint process: Friction welding — proven, cost-effective.
Steel grade: S135, heat-treated joints.
Price point: More competitive.
Need help choosing?
Contact our sales team for a free recommendation based on your rig, dimensions, connection and drilling conditions.
View Welded HDD Rods
SELECTION GUIDE

How to Choose HDD Drill Rods

Use the following information to confirm a compatible welded HDD drill rod or HDD drill pipe configuration.
01

Confirm your rig model

Check the nameplate on your HDD rig.
02

Note your current pipe source

Was it purchased with the rig or separately? Note the manufacturer if possible.
03

Record key dimensions

Pipe body OD (A), length (L), tool joint OD (B), and pin thread length (C).
04

Find the serial number

Located on the pin or box joint, this helps us verify exact specifications.
SERVICE & SUPPORT

Support Beyond the Product

North Star provides welded drill rod manufacturing, supply, customization, technical support and full traceability from inquiry through final inspection.
PRODUCTION CAPACITY

400,000+

welded HDD pipes annually across two purpose-built facilities

$4M+

invested since 2016 in upgrading and expanding production capacity

Quality Guarantee

All products are fully guaranteed against defects in materials or workmanship.

Production Capacity

Annual capacity of nearly 300,000 welded pipes across two facilities, ensuring stable supply for bulk orders.

Customisation

Non-standard lengths, special thread connections, hard-facing and custom wrenching configurations are available upon request.

Technical Support

Multilingual team available for enquiries; engineers can be sent onsite for study and training if necessary.

100% Traceability

Every pipe carries a serial number enabling full traceability from raw material to final inspection.
FAQ

Welded HDD Drill Rods: Common Questions

Clear answers to common questions about welded drill rods, HDD drill pipe selection, compatibility and manufacturing.

What are welded HDD drill rods?

Welded HDD drill rods are made by joining the tube body and tool joint through friction welding. North Star upsets the tube body to increase the weld area, followed by heat treatment and quality control.

What is a welded drill pipe?

A welded drill pipe for horizontal directional drilling combines a tubular pipe body with a tool joint connected by friction welding. It is commonly selected for general HDD applications where reliability and competitive cost are important.

What is the difference between friction welded drill rods and forged HDD drill rods?

Welded HDD drill rods use friction welding and are positioned for general, budget-sensitive projects and normal soil conditions. Forged HDD drill rods use upset forging and are aimed at higher-load, long-distance and more complex applications.

How do I choose the right HDD drill rod?

Start with the HDD rig model, current pipe source, pipe body OD, length, tool joint OD, pin thread length and serial number. Also consider torque, bend radius, drilling distance and ground conditions.

Can North Star supply Vermeer HDD drill rods and Ditch Witch HDD drill rods?

Yes. North Star welded HDD drill rods are compatible with major HDD rig brands including Vermeer and Ditch Witch, as well as XCMG, DW-TXS, Goodeng, Drillto, Hanlyma and Dilong. Exact compatibility should be verified from the rig model and rod dimensions.

Can North Star manufacture custom welded HDD drill rods?

Yes. Customization can include non-standard lengths, special thread connections, hard-facing and customized wrenching configurations.
WELDED HDD DRILL RODS

Need the Right HDD Drill Rod Configuration?

Send your rig model, current rod dimensions, thread details and serial number. North Star is a welded HDD drill rod manufacturer and supplier in China and can help verify the right specification for your application.
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Welded HDD Pipe Selection Guide

North Star Welded HDD Pipe. Friction-welded HDD pipe for directional drilling. Review rig-specific dimensions, connection details and pipe selection requirements.

Configuration and Application

Compare the listed rig model, pipe body diameter, joint dimensions, overall length and thread connection. Review the specified make-up torque and bend radius for the selected row. Friction-welded construction and the listed S135 material information should be checked against the required order configuration.

Welded HDD Drill Pipe Requirements

When selecting welded hdd drill pipe, provide the intended application, existing assembly details and the dimensions needed for the mating components. Include drawings, photographs or an existing part reference when available. Confirm the finished configuration with the quotation before ordering.

Related Tooling and Technical Background

Review Reamers and Forged HDD Drill Pipe for related North Star tooling. For general background on directional drilling, see the directional drilling reference. Product-specific dimensions and compatibility remain subject to the selected configuration.

Request Welded HDD Pipe

Send the required configuration, quantity and drawings for a quotation. Identify the connections and dimensions that must match the existing equipment. Our team can review the supplied information and confirm the applicable options.

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Getting quotes

Our technical engineers will reply within 12 hours