Jump to content

Search the Community

Showing results for tags 'Prep'.

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
    Tags should be keywords or key phrases. e.g. otodus, megalodon, shark tooth, miocene, bone valley formation, usa, florida.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Fossil Discussion
    • Fossil ID
    • Fossil Hunting Trips
    • General Fossil Discussion
    • Partners in Paleontology - Member Contributions to Science
    • Fossil of the Month
    • Questions & Answers
    • Member Collections
    • A Trip to the Museum
    • Paleo Re-creations
    • Collecting Gear
    • Fossil Preparation
    • Is It Real? How to Recognize Fossil Fabrications
    • Member-to-Member Fossil Trades
    • Fossil News
  • Community News
    • Member Introductions
    • Member of the Month
    • Members' News & Diversions
  • General Category
    • Rocks & Minerals
    • Geology

Categories

  • Annelids
  • Arthropods
    • Crustaceans
    • Insects
    • Trilobites
    • Other Arthropods
  • Brachiopods
  • Cnidarians (Corals, Jellyfish, Conulariids )
    • Corals
    • Jellyfish, Conulariids, etc.
  • Echinoderms
    • Crinoids & Blastoids
    • Echinoids
    • Other Echinoderms
    • Starfish and Brittlestars
  • Forams
  • Graptolites
  • Molluscs
    • Bivalves
    • Cephalopods (Ammonites, Belemnites, Nautiloids)
    • Gastropods
    • Other Molluscs
  • Sponges
  • Bryozoans
  • Other Invertebrates
  • Ichnofossils
  • Plants
  • Chordata
    • Amphibians & Reptiles
    • Birds
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fishes
    • Mammals
    • Sharks & Rays
    • Other Chordates
  • *Pseudofossils ( Inorganic objects , markings, or impressions that resemble fossils.)

Blogs

  • Anson's Blog
  • Mudding Around
  • Nicholas' Blog
  • dinosaur50's Blog
  • Traviscounty's Blog
  • Seldom's Blog
  • tracer's tidbits
  • Sacredsin's Blog
  • fossilfacetheprospector's Blog
  • jax world
  • echinoman's Blog
  • Ammonoidea
  • Traviscounty's Blog
  • brsr0131's Blog
  • brsr0131's Blog
  • Adventures with a Paddle
  • Caveat emptor
  • -------
  • Fig Rocks' Blog
  • placoderms
  • mosasaurs
  • ozzyrules244's Blog
  • Terry Dactyll's Blog
  • Sir Knightia's Blog
  • MaHa's Blog
  • shakinchevy2008's Blog
  • Stratio's Blog
  • ROOKMANDON's Blog
  • Phoenixflood's Blog
  • Brett Breakin' Rocks' Blog
  • Seattleguy's Blog
  • jkfoam's Blog
  • Erwan's Blog
  • Erwan's Blog
  • marksfossils' Blog
  • ibanda89's Blog
  • Liberty's Blog
  • Liberty's Blog
  • Lindsey's Blog
  • Back of Beyond
  • Ameenah's Blog
  • St. Johns River Shark Teeth/Florida
  • gordon's Blog
  • West4me's Blog
  • West4me's Blog
  • Pennsylvania Perspectives
  • michigantim's Blog
  • michigantim's Blog
  • lauraharp's Blog
  • lauraharp's Blog
  • micropterus101's Blog
  • micropterus101's Blog
  • GPeach129's Blog
  • Olenellus' Blog
  • nicciann's Blog
  • nicciann's Blog
  • Deep-Thinker's Blog
  • Deep-Thinker's Blog
  • bear-dog's Blog
  • javidal's Blog
  • Digging America
  • John Sun's Blog
  • John Sun's Blog
  • Ravsiden's Blog
  • Jurassic park
  • The Hunt for Fossils
  • The Fury's Grand Blog
  • julie's ??
  • Hunt'n 'odonts!
  • falcondob's Blog
  • Monkeyfuss' Blog
  • cyndy's Blog
  • pattyf's Blog
  • pattyf's Blog
  • chrisf's Blog
  • chrisf's Blog
  • nola's Blog
  • mercyrcfans88's Blog
  • Emily's PRI Adventure
  • trilobite guy's Blog
  • barnes' Blog
  • xenacanthus' Blog
  • myfossiltrips.blogspot.com
  • HeritageFossils' Blog
  • Fossilefinder's Blog
  • Fossilefinder's Blog
  • maybe a nest fossil?
  • farfarawy's Blog
  • Microfossil Mania!
  • blogs_blog_99
  • Southern Comfort
  • Emily's MotE Adventure
  • Eli's Blog
  • andreas' Blog
  • Recent Collecting Trips
  • retired blog
  • andreas' Blog test
  • fossilman7's Blog
  • Piranha Blog
  • xonenine's blog
  • xonenine's Blog
  • Fossil collecting and SAFETY
  • Detrius
  • pangeaman's Blog
  • pangeaman's Blog
  • pangeaman's Blog
  • Jocky's Blog
  • Jocky's Blog
  • Kehbe's Kwips
  • RomanK's Blog
  • Prehistoric Planet Trilogy
  • mikeymig's Blog
  • Western NY Explorer's Blog
  • Regg Cato's Blog
  • VisionXray23's Blog
  • Carcharodontosaurus' Blog
  • What is the largest dragonfly fossil? What are the top contenders?
  • Test Blog
  • jsnrice's blog
  • Lise MacFadden's Poetry Blog
  • BluffCountryFossils Adventure Blog
  • meadow's Blog
  • Makeing The Unlikley Happen
  • KansasFossilHunter's Blog
  • DarrenElliot's Blog
  • Hihimanu Hale
  • jesus' Blog
  • A Mesozoic Mosaic
  • Dinosaur comic
  • Zookeeperfossils
  • Cameronballislife31's Blog
  • My Blog
  • TomKoss' Blog
  • A guide to calcanea and astragali
  • Group Blog Test
  • Paleo Rantings of a Blockhead
  • Dead Dino is Art
  • The Amber Blog
  • Stocksdale's Blog
  • PaleoWilliam's Blog
  • TyrannosaurusRex's Facts
  • The Community Post
  • The Paleo-Tourist
  • Lyndon D Agate Johnson's Blog
  • BRobinson7's Blog
  • Eastern NC Trip Reports
  • Toofuntahh's Blog
  • Pterodactyl's Blog
  • A Beginner's Foray into Fossiling
  • Micropaleontology blog
  • Pondering on Dinosaurs
  • Fossil Preparation Blog
  • On Dinosaurs and Media
  • cheney416's fossil story
  • jpc
  • A Novice Geologist
  • Red-Headed Red-Neck Rock-Hound w/ My Trusty HellHound Cerberus
  • Red Headed
  • Paleo-Profiles
  • Walt's Blog
  • Between A Rock And A Hard Place
  • Rudist digging at "Point 25", St. Bartholomä, Styria, Austria (Campanian, Gosau-group)
  • Prognathodon saturator 101
  • Books I have enjoyed
  • Ladonia Texas Fossil Park
  • Trip Reports
  • Glendive Montana dinosaur bone Hell’s Creek
  • Test
  • Stratigraphic Succession of Chesapecten

Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

  1. Mikrogeophagus

    Removing Tough Algae on Shale

    So yesterday, I found several associated verts to a large fish. It was partially exposed on the creek bottom and it had been awhile since the last rain, so tons of algae grew on it. I managed to pop it out in one piece and have begun trying to clean it up. Since fish and shale are sensitive when it comes to drying and wetting, I've kept it in water for the time being while I attempt to remove the algae. I will paraloid sections later once the algae is gone. I tried submerging the specimen overnight in about 2:5 bleach water solution to kill anything living on it. Afterwards I was able to scrub most of the larger bits of algae off, but there seems to be this millimeter thick layer of yellow algae/hardened matrix attached to the bone where it was exposed to water. I don't know if this is some calcium buildup or what, but it's tough to pry off and sometimes takes chunks of bones with it. I would try vinegar, but the fossil came out of what I believe to be Atco Fm, so even though the matrix has the appearance of shale, I would expect there to be some calcium carbonate in it that might dissolve. I'd prefer to have the vertebrae stay set in the matrix as the originally were if possible. The ultimate plan is to use the other side for presentation. One of the verts was offset and broke off the main chunk shortly after removal, so I could experiment a little with it first if needed. Thoughts? Thanks
  2. I've got some experience with air scribes and acid (acetic) but haven't used air abrasion much. I recently got a new micro air abrasion unit and tried it out on a sticky crab that had a growth on it with some good results using dolomite. Before photo: After photo (work in progress, about 25 of prep time): One of the challenges I have is that is it really hard to find media between 50 and 100 microns here in New Zealand and shipping is quite expensive. I can sift my own dolomite, it just takes ages! I wonder if anyone has any tips for finding iron powder or is there an easy way to make your own? Here's a video of the unit I am using as well as my setup, any help / suggestions welcomed!
  3. Just started this beautiful beast. ~22" Phareodus. About 10hrs in so far with the micro jack thinning the matrix before the abrasive prep. Have to build a larger abrasive cabinet to accommodate it. Will post updates here as I make more progress. Cheers David
  4. cngodles

    Scratch Brushes

    I've only recently discovered scratch brushes and I'm not sure if anyone else has used these. They look like this below, and I've found the steel ones work best. The brass ones leave material on fossils. Here is a photo of a specimen uncoated and unprepped: Here is the same specimen coated: And here is the final after cleaning out the aperture with a nail drill and cleaning the surface with the scratch brush: I use water in the process. I scratch the groves while the specimen is wet (to avoid dust and to clear out particles), and dip the brush in water to remove collected matrix/mud. I usually have a small water dish that is dark with matrix mud by the time I am done. This doesn't work on all matrix, but anything that is soft enough will scratch away. You have to try to dry these out when you are not using them, or they will be caked with rust the next time you use one. So maybe I taught something new here, maybe everyone is already using these and I'm late to the game, or maybe someone will tell me that I should be sandblasting these. I'll take all and any advice. Scale bars on the bottom two photos are 5 mm.
  5. Rexofspades

    Calvert Cliffs Multi Trip Finds

    These are from multiple trips between 2022-2023. all from Calvert cliffs, each trip has something unique I would like assistance in identifying so for convenience's sake, I will refer to the items in alphabetical order relative to the numerical trip order. 1A 2B etc. Trip 1 1A pretty sure it is a crocodile tooth, Thecachampsa sp? 1B this is a bone that i found on the beach, im not sure if it's a cetacean atlas or skull fragment. but it's got this weird hole in it on one side. 1C clearly a cetacean vert. probably a juvie dolphin. i think so bc it doesn't have any fused epiphysis. id like to know what part of the spine this would have been on the animal. 1D maybe the wing of a vert? 1E is this anything? or just concretion 1F biggest fossil I've found yet by far! this massive chunk of whale jawbone. I am going to make a separate post in fossil prep to see about the best ways to clean it. 1G maybe a rib? i believe its a bone of some sort. i need to paleobond this one back together. Trip 2 2A definetely a tooth of some sort. not sure if its a croc or a cetacean since the enamel is worn 2B maybe a rib? or vert wing? 2C I think this might be a turtle shell, because its texture is not pronounced enough to be a cookie fragment. 2D maybe a skate osteoderm? 2E 2F 2G Sand tiger shark 2H crab claw with some sort of borehole? any other comments or ideas are as always, appreciated!
  6. Hi I've cleaned this bone as best as I can with my engraver. I do not have an air compressor. How would I proceed with cleaning up this specimen?
  7. hadrosauridae

    DIY compressed air dryer

    My last post about the setup of my fossil workshops for a while.... In this video I show how I constructed a MONSTER, DIY air dryer for the compressed air system in my fossil prep workshop. Just as a caveat, don't do this yourself, its a terrible idea, don't try this at home, your mileage my vary.
  8. kirkjeremiah23

    Archaeotherium Jaw

    Working on an Archaeotherium jaw. It is in pretty rough shape and wish the teeth were in better condition, still a neat specimen. It still needs work but what do you guys think so far??
  9. I went to St Leon Indiana, and I had a pretty good haul!!! Spent the day out there I have several fossils that are from the Ordovician time period and they’re in limestone, limestone shale. Does anyone have any good tips on washing them? Do you prefer dry? Just with a brush? What about any rusted stuff, do you use oxalic oxide? What about algae? Do you prefer water? Soap and water? Hydrogen peroxide? I’m afraid and don’t want to ruin any. Thank you! Jessica
  10. Bill Dye The Travis Guy

    Best way to clean these?

    Hello everyone, does anyone know the best way to clean these? I can’t sadly prep them with a sandblaster or air gun but I wanted to see if there is a way to dunk them in something? I’ve already washed them with soap and water and used a toothbrush. Any recommendations would be great!
  11. Hello all, I recently ordered a big piece of Wheeler Shale and have had loads of fun splitting the rock and finding Trilobites. I've got a nice complete specimen of each of the common species (Kingii, Wheeleri, Interstricta) as well as a ton of molts, cephalons, and pygidiums. I am a new prepper and thought this would be a good way to start, though my dream is to eventually learn how to do Moroccan or Russian trilobites. I've been practicing on the molts and parts of the trilos, but the head I am prepping currently looks like it is pyritized. It's got a few pyrite pieces on it, but as I'm washing and brushing it off, the whole thing looks to have a golden sheen. I'm worried the water I've been putting on the specimens to soften the matrix will damage the fossil, though I've been scrubbing and brushing it off before it soaks in too much. Should I stop using the water as soon as possible or is it okay? And how do you more experienced preppers handle the pyrite? I love the look of the gold and don't want to damage it. For now I've been using these tools: Dental pick Thin Steel Wool Wire brush Kneaded Eraser Spray Bottle with Water I'm planning to get an air scribe soon to prep the complete trilos with.
  12. ShinySpirals

    Is my prep plan any good?

    Hi all, I had a little trip to the Jurassic coast this weekend gone. During that time I found a lovely bit of iridescent ammonite poking out of a rock that had slipped down. There are a number of other ammonites in the rock too. I was wondering if anyone had advice/criticisms of my prep plan. I've not worked with iridescent ammonites before but understand them to be quite flaky. Step 1 Soak to reduce salt water content. I've given it a good soak in tap water last night. Not sure if more is required but on previous fossils from the coast I've never had any issues doing it that way. Step 2 10% paraloid solution on the exposed iridescent section. Step 3 Use a prepping pick to carefully remove the matrix and as I go, add further paraloid to freshly exposed ammonite. I want to avoid using my Dremel as I think the vibration could cause damage potentially. Do this sound ok to you all?
  13. Hello everyone, I was out shark tooth hunting today and came across this rock.in the top middle section of this rock is what I am about 80 percent sure is a shark tooth, probably hastalis or great white. As you can tell it is not very visible in its current state. My problem is that I have never done a prep on a fossil before and was wondering if there is a safe way to remove the rock from the tooth without buying any special equipment to do so. Any advise? Thanks!
  14. fossilhunter21

    Nice way to hang up air scribes

    Hey everyone! Just thought I would share this thing I made to organize my air scribes and parts, but also to have a way to keep them off the dirty bench when not using them. I have been working at the Village Barn (a small company that repairs and sells, boots, saddles, shaps, bridles, ropes, whips, knives, etc.) as an apprentice for about a month or two, and finally decided to try to make something to store my scribes. I think it turned out pretty good, but if I were to make it for someone else I would have made it nicer. Thanks for looking! Cheers and Shalom, -Micah
  15. andy_mnemonic

    Megalonyx femur prep advice

    Hi folks, I recently found this Pleistocene mammal bone in an alluvial deposit midway up a cliff. Part had broken off when I found it, but I was able to collect all the pieces of what appears to be a Megalonyx femur. My stumbling block now is that I have zero prep experience and this is obviously a pretty good find so I don't want to mess it up... I had been reading up on the posts here about prepping and was waffling between paleobond or butvar to consolidate it and then paleobond to repair the breaks. I am also leaning towards having someone with more experience/a professional do the prep work but don't know what that would cost me and the logistics of it (it is located in Santa Barbara County, CA). Does anyone have some suggestions or advice on the best course of action at this point? Thanks!
  16. Daveos

    What species GRF

    Disarticulated GRF fish. Not sure what species. Has these armor plates on back with teeth on them. Any ideas? Prepping it, got skull exposed.
  17. Daveos

    Priscacara prep

    Just finished up this 2nd Priscacara prep job from 18" layer. I'm noticing each fish is its own beast, some are in softer stuff and some harder. Did this one between 20 and 30 psi. I keep getting fish that seem to have damage to the tail before they are buried. Also picked up a 12v electromagnet on Amazon. Works great for collecting the iron powder. Click it on, collect, click it off.
  18. This was a topic of discussion a few times in other threads. I had a small split layer fish I could sacrifice so I gave it a shot with iron powder at low psi. Seems to have worked well. I initially started around 8-10 psi but this was too high. Seems to work well around 5-7 psi. For the harder 18" stuff 30-40 works well. Cheers
  19. Hi everyone, hope you're all doing well. I've found this fossil on the pebble beach of Lyme Regis and I just wanted to know your opinion. Do you think is possible to prep this fossil or maybe it will only cause damage? It's 2x2 cm Thank you!
  20. First real run with my new setup. Prepped out my Priscacara today. Was a bit disappointed the spikes were not spread out and the tail seems to have been damaged before it was buried. Very impressed with the powered iron. Working in the harder 18" layer stuff it seemed that ~50-60psi was good. Moving to the soft split layer stuff less than 10psi was more than sufficient. Collecting and reusing the iron is simple. Just use a magnet then filter it, stick it back into the problast. The cabinet wasn't ideal, but I realized that an adjustable laptop stand would fit right inside and hold the specimen in just the right spot. Worked like a charm. All in all, pretty satisfied with this setup. I have a few fish left to prep out, need to get my hands on some more.
  21. I have some unprepped fossils I got online and I have the paleobond starter kit but don't have a compressor or scribe. Are those tools necessary? Can I just use the compressed air cans? If I need a compressor does it have to be a high quality one?
  22. Hi everyone. New here, been lurking for a while. Drew some inspiration from what I've seen others post to build an air abrasive system. Been collecting 18" unprepped green river fish for a while now. Did one with an electric tool and wasn't super happy with the results. Ready to start with abrasives for sure. Just about done building the system, need to hook up the dust collector / vacuum / and exhaust. Main question is, where can I buy some iron power and dolomite? I see dolomite for sale on Amazon ect, Is it save to use that stuff? Is there a specific supplier you all use? Also, if anyone has unrpepped green river or white river stuff they want to get rid of PM me Thanks!
  23. duderman

    The Heck am I Doing...?

    I was given this piece by a friend who found it in either Union County or Madison County, Iowa. Gut instinct tells me it might be a Megalodon tooth, but its hard telling not knowing. I am very new to prepping fossils myself, but fortunate enough to have at the least a few of the required tools such as a Chicago pneumatic air scribe, a dremel, and an airbrush sandblaster with aluminum oxide. I have attempted to remove parts of the outer layer covered in rust and shell fragments but have pumped the brakes since I really have no idea if the tooth, assuming thats what it is, will be the same color as the matrix or if it will be distinctly different and very easy to identify once enough matrix has been removed. The rock underneath the rusty layer is a lot harder than I had initially though and is a light to mildly dark gray color. I don't intend to remove all of the matrix, just around the root and part of the enamel. Again I am very new to this so pardon the wildly inaccurate use of everything ( hence the title). Any tips, tricks, info, and guidance on how I should approach prepping this and how to tell fossil from rock is all welcomed and appreciated knowledge. I can provide much better pics as well if need be
  24. Completely new at this and ordered a box of unprepped dino fossils from Hell Creek. Anybody know of a good guide or tutorial? I already purchased Paleobond
  25. Have a good air scribe?little time ?, I have 5 kg of complete ammonites to offer for prep this winter,Callovian of Montreuil Bellay Maine-et-Loire France the cost of the 5kg Prepaid box for the world is 45 euros(except Russia and north Correa ),13euros 50 for France,i can send two boxes,i would like in return all kind of good fossils i still not already have ,Plants Ammonites(prep of course )brachiopds
×
×
  • Create New...