Needle scalers

[pajibson]

I've reached a point where I need to get a scaler. So the question is: what are everybody's recommendations? The 2 in the add are readily available as is Harbor freight for 1/4 the price.

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[kd3pc]

one time use? Or a keeper..?

Ingersoll would be my choice of the two..shown, were I to use it regularly. One shot, I might go with the HF.

Check the air requirements, I have a stout one for steel boat work that needs more air than my home compressor will provide.

 

[pajibson]

Shooting for a keeper. If Spent $50 on a one time use item I would be pissed. Didnt think about air requirements have to investigate that a bit. Shouldn't be too big an issue though. 60 gal tank @ 150-ish psi

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[readhead]

If you already have an air chisel buy a needle attachment for it.

 

[nicholasbailey1993]

I found a hf needle scaler for $5 in a pawn shop. I've been happy with it, but I mainly use it for chipping weld slag.

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[Roberts210]

I almost NEVER buy Chinese ****. When I needed a needle scaler I first found a used American one on ebay, but my 20 gallon compressor couldn't power it, and the seller was good enough to take it back. The only small scaler I found was at Horror Freight, and I bought it and have used the daylights out of it. It only has ONE moving part. Hard to mess that up. I've used it for chipping weld slag and also removing layers upon layers of paint from old steel-framed windows. It really works well and my 20 gallon Speedaire keeps right up with it.

 

[dbabicky]

I have the IR ING-125. Works great and have had it for awhile. My 7HP/60 gal compressor will run it all day long.

 

[Provincial]

I bought the larger HF needle scaler years ago and used it for chipping welding slag. One time I used it to chip 3/8" of rusty scale from an old cast iron rendering kettle that held about 50 gallons of water. That was a BIG job, and it didn't miss a beat! I still have that tool and use it occasionally, mostly on heavy rust scale. It still works fine.

I bought the smaller HF needle scaler because the larger one used more air and was heavier/bulkier. The smaller unit works well on weld slag and surface rust. It fits into smaller areas and I use it a lot. I run 6011 and 7018 rod and this tool cleans up the weld nicely. It does not seem to use much air.

My use is repairs to equipment around a large tree farm, so it would be "Light Professional" use, not daily production.

 

[rsanter]

I have both the CP and a couple different versions of Chinese ones, including one that just attaches to a air hammer.
All of them have worked for years with no problems. Yes I think the CP has a little more power but doesn't do that much better of a job most the time. The only thing they are good for (for me) is knocking off heavy rust, espically around fasteners.
For around fasteners it doesn't take much power most the time. For knocking scale off or material is does make a little difference.
Unless you are going to be using this professionally, I would buy the Chinese one and save your money for a tool application where it actually makes a difference

Bob

 

[Finky198]

I have both of the harbor freight units and I've beat the hell out of them. If you need it for commercial use buy the IR. I'm a big fan of IR but couldn't justify the coin for a tool I knew I was gonna beat on and the HF ones haven't fail yet and it's been like 4-5 years. So idk...

 

[trackwelder]

We use needle scalers for cleaning weld slag and even the good ones like IR and Cp will die if not oiled regularly. Had a boss a few years ago that picked up a couple HF scalers that didn't even last a week. They leaked everywhere and stopped working completely.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have some used good IR and CP ones I was going to put on ebay. PM me if you want to buy used.

 

[Al Borland]

I use needle guns a lot and I don't know who the actual builder for the Harbor Freight one is, but it is the same as all the generic "China" Needle Guns.
The Ingersoll ones... Well, no better, but parts are harder to come by.
Either one will break it's return spring eventually, and the needle retainers wear out and spit needles all over (Funny stuff when it does it to a NOOB).
They also make ones with an anti-vibration/low kickback kind of setup. Our safety guy made us get some. I have found that I get more paint stripped by talking to it than by using the "Improved" guns. Not even good for parts... everything is a little different and off.

 

[finn]

I've got the older, larger HF needle scaler. It was cheap, and I didn't have high expectations, but it seems to work fine.

I mostly use it to knock the rust out of trailer hitch receivers so I can slip the drawbar in the swollen hole.

Well worth the small investment.

 

[Ign]

Yep, some 13 years ago I bought a CH air hammer on clearance and bolted the HF scaler attachment to it. Still use it today BUT I might pull it out once a year.

 

[Packard V8]

While we're on the subject of needle scalers, where is the best quality/price on replacement needles for the IR? I've got two of them which need replacements.

jack vines

 

[trackwelder]

We get CP and IR replacement needles. The stainless needles hold up better in my experience.

 

[Super Mech]

I've got the HF one and have beat that thing to death over the years. It has never let me down and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[tdcisco1]

Ive got the I/R at work, 11 yrs old, used every day. been thru several sets of needles and going strong. a little oiling goes a long way...

 

[Murphy4570]

I use a Chicago Pneumatic one at work, and have no complaints. Be aware that they are LOUD! Wear earmuffs or ear plugs when using it along with a face shield or goggles.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

Use the IR-125 at work and have no complaints. Look around though as that price you posted is ****. Tool Topia has the 125 listed at 150 dollars on their website. http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-125.aspx

 

[Finky198]

Re: Needle scaler

I use a Chicago Pneumatic one at work, and have no complaints. Be aware that they are LOUD! Wear earmuffs or ear plugs when using it along with a face shield or goggles.

What did you say I can't hear you....

Very true always wear ear and eye protection a face shield is a plus. **** flys everywhere and stuff will find its way were you don't want it. They surely surpass all noise regulations and exposure limits. It'd be like welding without a helmet be safe

I was removing old paint today off a trailer with 7" flap wheel turned it to dust. Last week was with the needle scaler on a 79' bumper with paint and rust mix. do yourself or at least your lung a favor and wear a dust mask when necessary.

 

[warweapon762]

If you already have an air chisel buy a needle attachment for it.

This, I got one on ebay that allows me to use the Harbor Freight replacement needles. Still running strong today after 15 years of abuse.

 

[ultgar]

Make sure replacement needle sets (and the corresponding plates) are readily available. Some of the better ones offer different diameter needle sets for fine and rough scale removal.

I've sold a few of the Facom scalers over the years (see http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=7704 ) but they are quite a bit more expensive than the ones being mentioned here. If you need one for 1 time use only, cheap is fine.

 

[atomicpunk]

Just buy in one time = the CP or the IR, both are good tools and last a long time. The CP and IR feel like they hit harder too. If you buy the horrible freight buy 2 of them, when it breaks use the other one for parts. Speaking from experience.

 

[Finky198]

^^ Which one did you have issues with the large or small unit?

 

[atomicpunk]

^^ Which one did you have issues with the large or small unit?

The large one, Central Pneumatic part# 1108.

 

[Finky198]

I have the same one must be hit or miss.. as with a lot of their stuff.

 

[stikman56]

The large one, Central Pneumatic part# 1108.

Yeah, they break the anvil (the part that hammers the needles), the piston hitting that thing breaks it eventually, seen it on dozens of them. They work well until that point. I have one,works great,but I don't use it much and don't expect it will last forever.