Big Lie....

[Bird]

Needleguns are common here on offshore rigs. About the only way to keep one running out here is to spray WD-40 or miracle oil in it. They run off 120 psi rig air pressure. Equipment needing dry air will have an inline dryer, but the deck outlets don't have any dryers and that's mainly where the hands use the needleguns. Most rigs have 10-12 needleguns and twice that in rebuild kits for them. Of course most folks can't abuse equipment like a bunch of roughnecks can.

You're not using the ones from Harbor Freight are you? I never owned a needle scaler, but I've repaired a few broken ones (but not from Harbor Freight), so the only time I've "used" one was just checking to see that they worked properly after repair. Harbor Freight tools can be a good deal; I own some myself. But you usually cannot get parts and they aren't worth fixing when they break.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Bird, I got parts for my 20yr old one 10yrs ago. No problem but broke again in a few years. Didnt bother fixing this time cuz theyve got a current sale for $30. Described upthread.
larry

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I have an Ingersol Rand at work and use it quite frequently. When I bought it I got a extra set of needles with it. After 2 yrs. I still havent wore out the first set. The quality of the needles may be the difference in price.
Also try useing cutoff wheels on your 4" grinder . It cuts a lot faster than a air diegrinder and you dont have to listen to the air compressor try to keep up.

 

[normde2001]

I bought a new Harbor Freight needle scaler. Pretty neat tool. The hardened steel 3 mm diameter needles are smacked and whacked by the tool and they do a real nice job getting off old paint, rust, pounding welds, knocking out weld slag and such. If you don't have one, it's a decent way to spend $50. Do get the extra set of needles for 10 bucks. I have broken 2 and worn 2 others in half. That's with about 10 hours of total use time.

So, what's the "Big Lie"?

Well, it's supposed to only use 4 cfm. I have a 7.5 hp compressor on a 60 gal tank that does 11 cfm at 100 psi. It can't keep up. I also have my old compressor mounted in parallel feeding the air lines. It is a 3.5 hp unit that can do about 4-5 cfm at 90 psi. With both units running, I can keep it at 90 psi. That means it is using air at about 15 cfm. Yikes!

Anyone else have one of these little gems? Any idea what air draw for you is on continuous use?

jb

I suspect their published CFM rating is the minimum pressure required to cycle the unit, not for continuous use.

 

[Bird]

Bird, I got parts for my 20yr old one 10yrs ago. No problem but broke again in a few years. Didnt bother fixing this time cuz theyve got a current sale for $30. Described upthread.
larry

Larry, I'm afraid both your experience, and mine, are dated. I should have mentioned that I got out of the air tool repair business about 5 years ago and it was before that when I tried to get parts for a customer's air tool without success. I spent a lot of time on the phone, but never actually got to speak to a human; only recordings. So maybe you could get through to get parts 10 years ago, but not 5, or maybe I tried on the wrong days, or something.

 

[CDsdad]

Bird, you've got me asking questions out here now. I've been out here 15 years ( I go home every coupla weeks before anybody comments ) and I have never asked where they get the needleguns. The reason for keeping rebuild kits though is it's easier than keeping a bunch of new ones. Hands are less apt to abuse one if they have to fix it rather than get a new one.

 

[Bird]

Since my customers were primarily mechanics, I actually didn't see many scalers. But I would expect the off shore rigs to be using tools made by Ingersoll-Rand or Chicago Pneumatic, for which parts are readily available, or maybe Sioux if they wanted to spend the money to really go first class.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Quoteo get the extra set of needles for 10 bucks. I have broken 2 and worn 2 others in half. That's with about 10 hours of total use time.

JB, I have never worn out or broken a needle in a lot more than 10 hrs use over 20 yrs. It may be because I hold my needles with a gloved hand while using the tool. What I did is put an appropriate sized oring around the bundle to hold it loosely- then use my hand to shape the bundle for the terrain as I hammer. Wrks well for me.
larry

 

[john_bud]

Larry, Got your message --> thanks!

Also tried your trick. Hey! It really works! Helps to get the paint off of the corners a lot easier.

I changed one needle that broke and it is about 1/8" longer than the others. Put a couple hours of use on it and it is not mushrooming the end. Hmmm, makes me think that the replacement needles are harder than the ones in the too. I mean think about it, the one that is longer is all alone and should be really taking a beating, but it isn't.

jb

 

[slowrev]

I wonder what "Average Air consumption" means. does it mean the actual air consumption or is there off times figured in there ?
Kinda like Duty cycles on Welders ? Isn't that for a 10 minute period, like 50% is run for 5 min let cool for 5 ?