Big Lie....

[bjr]

I own a HF needle scaler and just love the thing. I've spent some real quality time with over 2yrs and I'm still on my first set of needles. The thing is just use maybe 80 psi. It really saves the needle and helps extend the air usage time. I have maybe a 13-14 cfm @ 90 psi compressor (5hp) and a big, 120 gal, resivoir. I do a lot of metal cleaning with mine. Do use hearing protection. bjr

 

[scott_vt]

I've been out here 15 years ( I go home every coupla weeks before anybody comments )

Afternoon CDsdad,
Thanks for the afternoon chuckle !

JB,
I dont have a needle scaler but after reading your thread, I want one !
My home compressor is just a 6HP 30 gal Sears job, and cant keep up with my little sand blaster I have had much better luck with my Dewalt right angle grinder with a braided wheel for removing old paint and such off old tractor parts ! Gonna have to give that needle scaler a try !

 

[john_bud]

Afternoon CDsdad,
Thanks for the afternoon chuckle !

JB,
I dont have a needle scaler but after reading your thread, I want one !
My home compressor is just a 6HP 30 gal Sears job, and cant keep up with my little sand blaster I have had much better luck with my Dewalt right angle grinder with a braided wheel for removing old paint and such off old tractor parts ! Gonna have to give that needle scaler a try !

I too use the 4" wire cups in an angle grinder to clean off paint and rust. The scaler works A LOT better. Using it in conjunction with the wire cup seems to be about the best. I would honestly rate it at about 1/3 to 1/2 the removal rate of a sand blaster. Depends on the blaster, air pressure, abrasive, etc of course. Nice thing is you can use it in a closed shop and not get everything all gritty. Holding the needles in a loose bunch also helps it go faster and on rounded outside corners. There are still some places that will need blasting, but this will get the bulk off.


Hearing protection is not optional! Sucker is loud with a capital L. Especially when smacking around on the side of a hollow structure like a back hoe boom....

Don't be like me and think back on all the years since first wondering if these tools were any good or not!
jb

 

[3RRL]

Using it in conjunction with the wire cup seems to be about the best.
John,
I believe I posted in your backhoe rebuild thread that I have one. I found what you said is true, using it in conjuction with a good wire wheel. At my property, my compressor does not have enough umph to get the scaler working perfectly, but my compressor at home does and there is a big difference in it's performance. Overall, I'd say it works pretty darn good and is worth the purchase.