The Ford Barn

jhowes · 03-12-2017, 09:07 AM

I was wondering if anyone on the barn knows what the difference is in needle scalers. The price varies from 20 bucks to over 300 and I would guess that it is made in the USA as opposed to the far east that accounts for some of this price difference. However what does the length of the needles have to do with it? Some are 5 inch and others 7 inch. Most do not advertise what the needle length is. Anyone know? Jack

Kurt in NJ · 03-12-2017, 09:47 AM

I bought a cheap HF one to retexture cast iron repairs, not a lot of hours on it but shows no wear like it is going to quit----and it does what I bought it for----i would suspect the larger ones are better for structural steel

fiddlybits · 03-12-2017, 11:58 AM

The price is mostly in quality. . . which translates to how long it will hold up under use.
The HF scaler is a fine scaler for the occasional project. If you are using it "a lot" you will wear it out and have to replace it. If it takes 2 to do the entire project the cheap ones are just fine. I finally bought a more expensive one, which came with different length and different diameter needles as options as well as being able to control how "violent" it is when running.
I have found the length just changes how far into a recess I can push it but the size of the needles leave a different texture after scaling.
My .02

aermotor · 03-12-2017, 01:37 PM

After a while the needles will become rounded on the tips and not as effective. Grind the tips flat and you will be good to go again.

John

jhowes · 03-12-2017, 02:58 PM

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Thanks, this is the information that I was looking for. Jack

03-12-2017, 09:07 AM	#1
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Needle Scalers I was wondering if anyone on the barn knows what the difference is in needle scalers. The price varies from 20 bucks to over 300 and I would guess that it is made in the USA as opposed to the far east that accounts for some of this price difference. However what does the length of the needles have to do with it? Some are 5 inch and others 7 inch. Most do not advertise what the needle length is. Anyone know? Jack Last edited by jhowes; 03-12-2017 at 09:16 AM.

03-12-2017, 09:47 AM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Needle Scalers I bought a cheap HF one to retexture cast iron repairs, not a lot of hours on it but shows no wear like it is going to quit----and it does what I bought it for----i would suspect the larger ones are better for structural steel

03-12-2017, 11:58 AM	#3
fiddlybits Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: N Illinois Posts: 447	Re: Needle Scalers The price is mostly in quality. . . which translates to how long it will hold up under use. The HF scaler is a fine scaler for the occasional project. If you are using it "a lot" you will wear it out and have to replace it. If it takes 2 to do the entire project the cheap ones are just fine. I finally bought a more expensive one, which came with different length and different diameter needles as options as well as being able to control how "violent" it is when running. I have found the length just changes how far into a recess I can push it but the size of the needles leave a different texture after scaling. My .02

03-12-2017, 01:37 PM	#4
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Needle Scalers After a while the needles will become rounded on the tips and not as effective. Grind the tips flat and you will be good to go again. John Last edited by aermotor; 03-12-2017 at 04:31 PM.

03-12-2017, 02:58 PM	#5
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: Needle Scalers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks, this is the information that I was looking for. Jack