- Operation and use
- See also
- Notes
- References
- External links
A needlegun scaler, needle scaler or needle-gun is a tool used to remove rust, mill scale, and old paint from metal surfaces.[2] The tool is used in metalwork applications as diverse as home repair, automotive repair and shipboard preservation.[3][4][5] Operation and useA needle gun has a set of very fine chisels known as needles.[3] The tool forces these needles against a work surface at variable speeds up to around 5,000 times per minute.[3][2] Different models offer choices of number of needles, operating speed, and power levels.[3] Many models use compressed air, although electrical needle-guns do exist.[3][6] In a pneumatic unit, compressed air forces a piston forwards and backwards.[3] This movement causes the needles to move back and forth against the work surface.[3] The needle gun has advantages over other scaling tools. Its main advantage is that the needles automatically adjust themselves to contours, making the tool a good choice for cleaning irregular surfaces.[2] A needle gun can clean an area to bare metal in seconds, and compares well to other scaling tools in terms of accuracy and precision.[3] It is recommended that before needlegunning, a surface should be prepared by removing oil, grease, dirt, chemicals and water-soluble contaminants.[5] This can be done with solvents or with a combination of detergent and fresh water.[5] Then, the needle gun is used to remove rust, loose scale, and paint, leaving bare metal.[5] It is used most effectively by holding it at a 45° angle to the work surface.[5] It is recommended that an area no larger than six to eight inches be cleared at once.[5] Two to three passes over an area is generally sufficient to clean it.[5] Then the process is repeated until the desired area is completed.[5] Prior to painting, it is desirable to feather any edges between metal and old paint.[5] It is also important to check the surface for oil deposited during chipping, and if necessary, clean the area with solvents.[5] Since bare metal surfaces will flash rust soon after exposure to the atmosphere, paint should be applied as soon as possible after chipping.[5] If flash rusting occurs prior to coating, further chipping, cleaning and sanding may be necessary.[5] See also{{Portal|Nautical}}- Abrasive blasting
- Corrosion
- Wire brush
Notes1. ^U.S. Navy, 2006.
2. ^1 2 NETC, 2003, p. 11-10.
3. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Miller, 2008.
4. ^Park, 1984.
5. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 NAVSEA, 2008.
6. ^Nitto Kohki, 2008.
References- {{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Needle+Scaler+and+Debris+Removal-a01073853851 |title= Needle Scaler and Debris Removal |accessdate=2008-04-05 |last=Miller |first=Jason |coauthors= |date=2008-01-30 |work=Free Online Library |publisher=Free Online Library}}
- {{cite book |author=Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)|authorlink=Naval Sea Systems Command |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Contracted Ship Maintenance |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url=http://www.submepp.navy.mil/jfmm/ |format= |accessdate= |edition= |series=Joint Fleet Maintenance Manual - Rev A Change 7 |volume=VI |date= |year=2008 |month= |publisher=United States Navy |location= |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Chapter 7: Submarine Forces Afloat Painting and Preservation Guidelines for Non-Nuclear Spaces and Components|chapterurl=http://www.submepp.navy.mil/jfmm/HTML/Volume%20VI/VI-Ch-07.htm |quote= }}
-- CHAP 7 LINK NO LONGER WORKS- {{cite book |author=Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=NAVEDTRA 14343: Boatswain's Mate |origdate= |origyear=1996 |origmonth= |url=http://www.navystorekeeper.com/NAVEDTRA_14343.pdf |format= |accessdate=2008-04-05 |edition= |series=Nonresident Training Manuals |volume= |date= |year=2003 |month= |publisher=United States Navy |location=Pensacola, Florida |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Chapter 11: Painting |chapterurl= |quote= }}
- {{cite web |url=http://w3.gsa.gov/web/p/HPTP.NSF/a533f1f859737bc9852565cc0058d0b6/064f66fe515200ca852565c50054b2ff?OpenDocument |title=#13: The Repair and Thermal Upgrading of Historic Steel Windows |accessdate=2008-04-05 |last=Park |first=Sharon |coauthors= |year=1984 |work=Preservation Briefs |publisher=Government Publishing Office |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415045612/http://w3.gsa.gov/web/p/HPTP.NSF/a533f1f859737bc9852565cc0058d0b6/064f66fe515200ca852565c50054b2ff?OpenDocument |archivedate=2008-04-15 |df= }}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.nittokohki.com/tools/products/powertools/needlescalers/ejc-32a.html |title=EJC-32A Electric Needle Scaler |accessdate=2008-04-05 |author=Nitto Kohki |coauthors= |year=2008 |work=nittokohki.com |publisher=Nitto Kohki USA |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615022739/http://www.nittokohki.com/tools/products/powertools/needlescalers/ejc-32a.html |archivedate=2008-06-15 |df= }}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=33020 |title=Eye on the Fleet |accessdate=2008-04-05 |author=U.S. Navy |coauthors= |date=2006-03-23 |work=Navy NewsStand |publisher=United States Navy}}
External links- Video of needle-gunning rust
- Battleship Texas Restoration Manual
- Safety while removing paint
- Schematic and parts list for Jet Chisel JT-20
{{Cleaning tools}}{{Metalworking navbox|toolopen}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Needlegun Scaler}} 2 : Cleaning tools|Metalworking hand tools |