Removing paint from cast iron, heavy steel, etc.

[Pullstart 63,201]

 I think this is what cool people these days call a life hack.  But I was in the garage this morning cleaning my engine block and some other parts and thought of something semi-genius when my wire wheel finally gave out.  I have an old needle scaler for my air chisel gun and while using about 1/4 to 1/3 trigger, it peeled away the paint, rust and grime to a clean metal finish!

[stevasaurus 22,910]

You have to know that this would require a video.    or at least pictures of the needle scalier.    Not to mention pictures of the parts you cleaned.

[classiccat 548]

 

 

(I'm shopping around for needle scalers at the moment... LEGIT interest mixed-in with the b@ll breaking )

Edited February 28, 2018 by classiccat

[Vinylguy 4,687]

I need to see this.

[Ed Kennell 39,179]

When I was still in the hydro turbine business and I had to prep rusty corroded steel parts for painting, the needle scalers were the tool used if sand or shot blasting was not practical.

Just be sure to use good ear, eye and breathing protection.

 

Edited February 28, 2018 by Ed Kennell

[ebinmaine 68,874]

57 minutes ago, classiccat said:

 

 

........... LEGIT interest mixed-in with the b@ll breaking )

[953 nut 56,165]

I know the folks on deck force used them all the time in the Navy. Fortunately I was in Operations and just used a soldering iron and multi meter. I picked one up on Ebay that is attached to a pneumatic hammer, works well on rust and old paint.

[Pullstart 63,201]

Over in my 502 thread there are some pictures of the block that has been hit in a few areas.  

 

 

[Sarge 3,464]

I've used this one quite a bit with both the short and medium barrel air hammers I have here. Short for lighter metals,  medium for heavy steel that can take the abuse.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ingersoll-rand-needle-scaler-attachment

 

Hearing and eye protection can't be stressed enough here, the needle action causes rust flakes and scale to fly everywhere. I not only wear safety glasses,  but also a grinding shield and enclosed hearing protection. The scaler is really intended for scale and welding slag removal,  not really good for doing larger areas nor lighter sheet metal. Once the scale is removed I blast the rest.

 

Sarge

 

[squonk 41,643]

I got a HF needle scaler. Works awesome!