The 8 Best Needle Scalers
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in November of 2018. Many people look at rusted beams and car chassis and think, "junk." But those who are equipped with one of these handy needle scalers know that old metal can be brought back to like-new condition with just a bit of elbow grease. If you restore old vehicles, boats, or engines, these tools are a necessity. We've included both bayonet and pistol types to suit every need and working environment. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Ingersoll Rand 125-A Standard Duty
2. Sunex SX246
3. Chicago Pneumatic Tool CP7125
Editor's Notes
March 16, 2021:
After taking some time to review our previous picks for this page, we eventually determined that all of our existing choices were still great selections, so there was no need for us to make any major changes to these rankings.
The most substantial alteration we made was replacing our top-placed Ingersoll Rand 125 with the upgraded Ingersoll Rand 125-A Standard Duty, which looks to have a design very similar to its predecessor, although this one promises improved durability via virtue of a reengineered spring.
For alternative options to combat corrosion, maybe you’ll be interested in checking out our list of sandblasters or chemical rust removers.
March 08, 2021:
Though it had been some time since we last updated this list, it turns out that it didn't matter. After carefully reviewing the other options on the market, we couldn't find any better models that deserved to usurp a spot from one of our current recommendations. We were hoping to be able to include an electric scaler at this time, but there simply aren't any available yet that we felt comfortable including, so for the time being, it looks like you will have to stick with a pneumatic model and an air compressor.
December 01, 2018:
While a needle scaler's ability to effectively remove rust, paint, mill scale, and weld spatter was a top priority, we thought it just as important to focus on a tool's durability as well. We believe that a tool that functions extremely well, but breaks after a couple of uses is almost more disappointing that one that doesn't work at all for its intended purpose. At least the latter doesn't get your hopes up in the beginning just to dash them unexpectedly.
Special Honors
Ingersoll Rand 170 A pistol-style model with a rubber-overmolded grip, the Ingersoll Rand 170 is comfortable to hold, making it a smart choice for those who expect to be using it for long periods of time on big jobs. It is capable of up to 3,000 blows per minute for quick material removal. ingersollrand.com
4. Chicago Pneumatic Tool CP7115
5. Sunex SX247
6. Astro 4320 In-Line
7. Jet JAT-801
8. Klutch Composite
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.