What Is a Scaler?
A scaler is a tool that can remove paint and rust by driving in a needle. It is often called a needle scaler or air needle scaler to distinguish it from a scaler used by dentists to remove tartar. Sometimes names such as air chisel or air needle chisel are also used.
Connected to a compressor, the needle is moved back and forth repeatedly to remove paint and rust.
Uses of Scalers
Scalers are tools that can peel off hard substances stuck to walls and other surfaces by quickly driving the needle into the surface.
It can be used not only to remove slag from welded walls and rust from metal surfaces such as steel plates, but also to roughen the surface of concrete, sandblast, and other materials.
It can also be used to strengthen welded areas by utilizing the pressure generated when the needle is driven in.
How to Select Scalers
Here are some points to consider when selecting scalers:
Shape
There are two types of scalers: pistol and straight.
- Pistol-shaped scalers, as the name suggests, are shaped like a pistol and can peel in various directions.
- Straight-shaped scalers are long and straight and can be inserted into deep or narrow places.
Number of Blows
The blow rate of scalers is expressed in bpm or rpm, which is the number of needles per minute. The straight type tends to have a higher blow rate than the pistol type.
Needle Specifications
There are various diameters and lengths of needles that can be used in different types of scalers. Therefore, it is necessary to select one according to the area of the scalers to be used.
The most standard needles are 2mm in diameter x 180mm in length or 3mm in diameter x 180mm in length.