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A needlegun scaler, needle scaler, or needle-gun is a tool used to remove
Battleship Texas Restoration ManualDust Mite Removal With Certified Tools
{{DEFAULTSORT:Needlegun Scaler Metalworking hand tools Cleaning tools
A needlegun scaler, needle scaler, or needle-gun is a tool used to remove rust
Rust is an iron oxide, a usually reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air moisture. Rust consists of hydrous iron(III) oxides (Fe2O3·nH2O) and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH) ...
, mill scale
Mill scale, often shortened to just scale, is the flaky surface of hot rolled steel, consisting of the mixed iron oxides iron(II) oxide (, wüstite), iron(III) oxide (, hematite), and iron(II,III) oxide (, magnetite).
Mill scale is formed on t ...
, and old paint from metal surfaces.NETC, 2003, p. 11-10. The tool is used in metalwork applications as diverse as home repair, automotive repair, and shipboard preservation.Miller, 2008.Park, 1984.NAVSEA, 2008.
Mechanism
A needle gun has a set of very fine chisels known as needles. The tool forces these needles against a work surface at variable speeds up to around 5,000 times per minute. Different models offer choices of number of needles, operating speed, and power levels. Many models usecompressed air
Compressed air is air kept under a pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. Compressed air in vehicle tires and shock absorbers are commonly used for improved traction and reduced vibration. Compressed air is an important medium for t ...
, although electrical needle-guns do exist.Nitto Kohki, 2008.
In a pneumatic unit, compressed air forces a piston forwards and backwards. This movement causes the needles to move back and forth against the work surface.
Benefits
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. 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. It is recommended that before needlegunning, a surface should be prepared by removingoil
An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is composed primarily of hydrocarbons and is hydrophobic (does not mix with water) and lipophilic (mixes with other oils). Oils are usually flammable and surface active. Most oils are unsaturate ...
, grease, dirt
Dirt is any matter considered unclean, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty.
Common types of dirt include:
* Debris: scattered pieces of waste or remains
* Du ...
, chemicals and water-soluble contaminants. This can be done with solvents or with a combination of detergent and fresh water.
Then, the needle gun is used to remove rust, loose scale, and paint, leaving bare metal. It is used most effectively by holding it at a 45° angle to the work surface. It is recommended that an area no larger than be cleared at once. Two to three passes over an area is generally sufficient to clean it. Then the process is repeated until the desired area is completed.
Prior to painting, it is desirable to "feather" or taper any edges between metal and old paint. It is also important to check the surface for any oil deposited during chipping, and if necessary, to clean the area with solvents. Since bare metal surfaces will flash rust soon after exposure to the atmosphere, paint should be applied as soon as possible after chipping. If flash rusting occurs prior to coating, further chipping, cleaning, and sanding may be necessary.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Because the power tool is noisy and can produce flying chips of debris as well as fine dust, PPE to protect vision, hearing, and breathing are recommended by safety regulators and tool manufacturers.See also
*Corrosion
Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials (usually a metal) by chemical or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engine ...
* Wire brush
A wire brush is a tool consisting of a brush whose bristles are made of wire, most often steel wire. The steel used is generally a medium- to high-carbon variety and very hard and springy. Other wire brushes feature bristles made from bras ...
* Abrasive blasting
Sandblasting, sometimes known as abrasive blasting, is the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of abrasive material against a surface under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface or remove sur ...
References
General references
* * —CHAP 7 LINK NO LONGER WORKS * * * *External links
Battleship Texas Restoration Manual
{{DEFAULTSORT:Needlegun Scaler Metalworking hand tools Cleaning tools