anybody had any luck with a air needle scaler?

ssgshelton · Dec 10, 2009

Trying to remove some tough paint on my JD 420 and someone recommended an air needle scaler instead of the wire wheel I have been using. Anyone had luck with these? Any do's and don't with this thing?
Thanks
Joel

Anonymous-0 · Dec 10, 2009

I've used one on a 40U. It worked great.

Doug in IL · Dec 10, 2009

I have used mine to clean rusty scale from the inside of wheel rims. It works well. I don"t know about sheet metal though. I think they would be too aggressive for that. On the cast iron parts of your tractor I think it would work great. Hopefully, someone with more experience with them will reply.

Paul from MI · Dec 10, 2009

I got one to use on my 1937 John Deere B. It worked great on cast iron or heavy iron parts. It is especially handy for getting into tight areas. I have used a knotted wire wheel in my 4-1/2" grinder with great results but access to all areas is limited. The needle scaler worked great at knocking loose paint and rust off. I got mine from Harbor Freight for around $50, now that I know how useful it is I would spend more for a better one, but this one does fine.
Paul

Mike (WA) · Dec 10, 2009

They're best on cast iron, and about the only thing that will remove hardened grease. I'm thinking it will dent your sheet metal, unless you are VERY careful.

Dave 2N · Dec 10, 2009

As below, they are great on cast iron but don"t use one on sheet metal.

Gary in da UP · Dec 10, 2009

Wear the proper safety gear, goggles, gloves and hearing protection are a must. TOO much for tin and slower than a knotted wire brush as others have pointed out ,but they have an advantage in tight spots on castings

Spook · Dec 10, 2009

I've used one on my Farmall H. Works good, might beat up some sheet metal. Kinda noisy on sheet metal, too.

Mel in SW Iowa · Dec 10, 2009

Unmatched for cleaning heavy rust and heavy paint on heavier sheet metal such as wheel rims, castings, or removing slag and peening (stress relieving) on welded fabrications 12 gauge or thicker. It will work harden and distort most light sheet metal. You will want to follow up
a needle scaler with a 4 1/2" wire wheel in many
cases.

ssgshelton · Dec 10, 2009

Thanks guys for all the replies. I'm looking forward to using it this weekend. I got the cheaper version from northern tools for $39.99. I am going to send the sheet metal off to the paint/body man so I will not have to worry about it and they can do a much better job than me.
Joel

fixerupper · Dec 10, 2009

I bought one this fall for the military restoration project I'm on and the others are right, it's great for cleaning up in tight places. It'll get right into the cracks and crevices. Flaky rust and peeled paint are a breeze to remove. Doesn't seem to me like there's any one established angle to hold it during use. It just depends on what kind of junk you are removing with it.

I did pay big bucks for a top of the line CP cause I figured I'd be putting quite a few hours on it so I have a heck of a lot more than $50 in it. After about six hours the heads of some of the needles popped off and those needles fell out. I don't know if that's the norm or if I got some bad needles or maybe I'm bearing into it too hard on the tough stuff. Time will tell.

It does peen the surface some so if you want a smooth glassy surface when you're done you're either going to have to sand it smooth or maybe use a wire brush instead of the scaler. Jim

S.Crum · Dec 10, 2009

I've used mine for everything from cleaning a big old schaerer lathe to John Deeres to descaling/stress reliveing welds. You can get the replacement needles from McMaster-Carr and they last longer than the ones that come new with the scaler.
Well worth the price of admission.

Tony S. · Dec 11, 2009

needs quite a bit of air

anybody had any luck with a air needle scaler?

ssgshelton

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Anonymous-0

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Doug in IL

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Paul from MI

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Mike (WA)

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Dave 2N

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Gary in da UP

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