Perhaps the greatest tool ever - Needle Scaler

[tdskip]

I just tried this out on the undercoating on the '71 TR6, and all I can say is YIPPIE! Or FINALLY! OK, so I can say a couple of things.

If you have never used one of these it will knock you socks off.

Here is where I got mine - best $39 you will ever spend.

Air Needle Scaler

 

[tomshobby]

Just be sure to wear ear protection! :crazy:

 

[tdskip]

What? What did you say?

 

[tomshobby]

Apparently you already figured that out!! :thumbsup:

 

[CraigLandrum]

OK, I'll bite. What does that puppy do?

 

[tomshobby]

The business end has a dozen or so small rods or needles sticking out. Looks like one rod in the pic above. It hammers the needles and removes rust, scale, and paint in a hurry. It can also deform sheet metal.

 

[70herald]

it vibrates, scrubs bangs and whatever else all the rust, paint and general crud which builds up on on metal surfaces.

 

[tdskip]

It took the undercoating off pretty easily, it takes some pressure but as Tom pointed out too much and it could damage/bend the underlying metal. Having tried a heat gun and solvent on undercoating I find this much better to work with.

Other than speed, the best part is that everything that comes off is dry and can simply be swept or vacuumed up. Try <span style="font-weight: bold">that</span> with a solvent based approach!

 

[TR6oldtimer]

I guess none of you guys were in the Navy. I still remember racket from those things being used to remove paint and rust from all the places paint could be applied.

 

[Brosky]

You better have good compressor and a very understanding wife and neighbors.

 

[Basil]

I just tried this out on the undercoating on the '71 TR6, and all I can say is YIPPIE! Or FINALLY! OK, so I can say a couple of things.

If you have never used one of these it will knock you socks off.

Here is where I got mine - best $39 you will ever spend.

Air Needle Scaler

I posted a while back that someone had put undercoating on the firewall of my Spitfire (I don't think its supposed to be undercoated, but just painted?). Anyway, would that beast remove my undercoating without damaging (denting) my firewall?

 

[TR6oldtimer]

If it is asphalt based, heat and use a scraper. If it is not, then a good chemical stripper will be needed, or sand with 80 grit, or media blast. No easy way.

 

[BobbyD]

Does it vibrate, spin, move in and out? All of the above? I guess it would point out any "weak" spots in your frame too

Here's a picture I found that shows the business end of the tool.

 

[DougF]

We called them rattle guns when using them to clean slag from welds. They impact the surface and chip away. They were a great tool. Of course we were using them on 10" H beams and thick plate. I would agree, use with great care or they could make quick damage of a straight panel.

 

[tdskip]

I posted a while back that someone had put undercoating on the firewall of my Spitfire (I don't think its supposed to be undercoated, but just painted?). Anyway, would that beast remove my undercoating without damaging (denting) my firewall?

Basil - based on my experience this AM using it I think it would most likely work. You decide the amount of pressure to use since you have to hold the gun against the surface. If you have any concerns over damaging the surface you can just not use my force.

If you really muscle into it I'm sure you could do some damage, but I removed undercoating this AM without damaging the underlying paint (which amazing was nice and shiny still).

 

[tdskip]

Does it vibrate, spin, move in and out?

Hi Bob - it just basically vibrates.

 

[TR3driver]

Hmm, the one I used moved in and out, like an air chisel with a very short stroke. I guess you could call that "vibrating".

Be sure to wear as much protection as you can muster, as there will be all sorts of stuff flying around.

Few years back, my company sold their boat (ex-Coast Guard hurricane chaser) to a fellow who managed to kill himself, using a needler to remove paint & rust from the inside of the hull. Apparently there were enough paint/varnish/solvent fumes in the air to be flammable. I would not have believed 1/2" steel plate could blow up like that ... afterwards the cabin walls almost touched the outer rail.

 

[Banjo]

8 years ago, I took a job at Corning INC that required a physical prior to starting. It was then I got proof official 30% hearing loss that I can contribute mainly to a 2 day stint removing undercoat from the double wheelwell of a coach bus with a needle scaler, during a summer job before college. and yes, I was wearing ear protection.
Constant use of air tools since then hasen't helped any either.....
But I agree... it's an effective tool.

 

[Minesweeper]

I guess none of you guys were in the Navy. I still remember racket from those things being used to remove paint and rust from all the places paint could be applied.

On a steel hulled ship a single E-1 and his needle gun could drive the other 400 sailors insane in 10 minutes flat. Gawd, what a noise.

 

[foxtrapper]

One should always needle gun the bulkhead by the MAA coop after taps.