Needle scalers

[escavader]

Anyone have a preferred brand using primarily for autos tractors rust and undercoat removal weld prep etc thanks

 

[gwdixon]

Anyone have a preferred brand using primarily for autos tractors rust and undercoat removal weld prep etc thanks

I have both the Harbor Freight small and large sized scalers. They work great for all the tasks you intend. They will make little dimples on hot welds and are quite powerful. They both get pretty good reviews.

Search results for: 'air needle scaler'

They cost a fraction of "name" brands but are so inexpensive that you can use them until they break and buy new several times over. Be sure to use a 20% or 25% off coupon as well.

Incidently, mine have never broken over 4 years of ownership.

 

[Egon]

I have a low priced Princess Auto scaler. It seems ok to my limited knowledge.

The most important part is having enough air to run one properly!:thumbsup:

 

[cqaigy2]

I have a larger Harbor Freight one that does a good job, and like Egon say's, have enough air to run it.

 

[Raspy]

I have the large HF one too. That thing really goes. I took several layers of old paint off some fuel tanks and it was the fastest way to do it. It is loud when used on tanks, but gets down into the crevices around fittings and welds.

 

[Willie B]

I haven't tried one. I'm tempted though. I've found a great wat to remove paint and surface rust. Norton makes a disc for a hand held grinder they call Blaze. It generates less heat so it's safer on sheet metal than other methods. Radnor also sells one not as good, but 1/3 the price.
Still, unless I grind a long time wasting way too much metal, I can't get rid of the rust in the pits.
It has been a while since I tried POR-15, or other competitive products.
I think I will try a needle scaler. Sandblasting is a big deal, cost, and or mess. It seems a process best suited for professionals, or hermits. Always someone nearby protesting.

 

[Scott85]

I thought you had to join the Navy to operate a needle gun? Lol

 

[cattrack]

I have the small HF one. Didn't think I was risking much for $18! It has worked well on the few projects I have used it on. Cleans up root passes of 6011 good. Also, it does not need a lot of air as I have been using it on a 20 gal tanked compressor that only gets up to 90 psi.