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  1. Ptychodus04

    Mammoth Tooth

    One of my regular clients picked up this mammoth tooth at an estate sale. The previous owner was kind enough to slather it with plaster and coat that with lacquer around 40 years ago. The tooth was clearly fragile but they didn’t do it any favors. It took a bunch of scribe work and abrasive to remove it all. Then it got a healthy dose of Paraloid to stabilize what cementum was left.
  2. I recently had the opportunity to purchase some jacketed fossils from a ranch in Garfield County, Montana in the hell creek formation. I bought 2 jackets, one with several small ribs present that I am currently working on. Another containing a single bone that I think is a hadrosaur pubis. One thing that surprised me was the wealth of smaller bits of bone present in the jacket I'm sure this is an amazing microsite I would love to see first hand. There were some really small bones that I don't think are identifiable but regardless very cool. This one with a really interesting convavity so maybe a joint in a small vertebrate? I also found what I think to be a ceratopsian spitter? It's very worn but it looks like some I've seen on the forum. And then another possible tooth? That unfortunately I was heavy handed in brushing off some sand before I consolidated it and it shattered. I also found what I think to be tiny petrified twigs, as well as what I think to be a piece of turtle shell that looks like trionychida to me but I'll know better when I get it cleaned off. There was also these pieces that vaguely resemble some carpals I've seen but are incredibly worn and not fully cleaned off yet. There were other various bits of bone as well that are waiting to be cleaned on my messy tray as well as a piece of coprolite? That I need to look at closer with a microscope. I got to the back side of the ribs without too much effort and that is where things started to get difficult, while I would love an ARO I'm fresh out of college and can't justify the purchase of that and an air compressor to my wife haha. So I am working with dental picks and some sculpting tools from my ceramics hobby. And a magnifying visor from yoctosun that I quite enjoy using with my glasses. The ribs were very generously coated in glue to stabilize them and about 2cm of matrix in any direction so I've slowly but surely picking off the sediment and softening it with brushed on acetone. I still have a long way to go before I even start the pubis and suspect that to get them where I wanted I might have to wait until I have a better set up to get some of the really stubborn bits off. The rancher thought they might be pachycephalosaur ribs which is possible, I know that ribs are tricky to ID. I have been having a hard time finding articles that describe hell creek ribs, let alone some that have pictures. It doesn't help that they aren't complete either so I am not comfortable assigning a species to them yet. I am very excited to start working on the pubis it will probably take awhile but my wife is leaving on clinical rotations, so I'll be alone for 6 months leaving me ample opportunity to prep after work. Thanks for reading, if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.
  3. Looking for a conversion/modification kit for my Chicago scribe. Only one I can find is through zoic. Was hoping to find one in the US. Any information will help
  4. A.C.

    Greenops Prep

    Hey all. Was messing with a Greenops I had found a while back. My question is do you all think it’s worth it to prep out more or should I just call it on this guy. Pretty sure it’s just a molt. I am only working with hand tools (dremmel, chisel, needle) If this was my only specimen I would be happy to continue but I have other nicer ones already free from matrix. @NoahW24 I remember you prepped a pretty sweet greenops.
  5. Hey all! I have been building out (slowly) my prep lab and learning a ton! Early this year I invested in a air scribe and went with the Chicago Pneumatic CP9361 Air Scribe. I'm trying to locate information on different tips that would be applicable to this model but not coming up with much. Does anyone have any experience with this model and have any recommendations on either replacement or other tips that would be applicable to this model? My prep is mostly working with shale from south IN, OH, KY and Utah. Any help would be appreciated! ... (wife doesn't know this yet, but I'm looking into an air abrasive system next Thanks! Steve
  6. Hi — I was lucky enough to collect a few dozen Mazon nodules this weekend. But I am not familiar with how to best prepare and understand this material. Is there a guide that would answer questions like these: • Do I freeze-thaw specimens where fossils are already showing? What about 3d fossil that is partially obscured by matrix? • Are fossils best viewed wet or dry? (seems like dry) • How do I know what's a blobby worm or jellyfish vs a blobby bit of matrix? • Are there categories of finds (besides obviously empty nodules) that are not worth posting for ID? I'm having trouble answering many of these questions based on googling around the forum, since so many threads highlight specimens that seem quite conspicuous and outstanding compared to what I'm seeing so far. Tagging @Nimravis Would also love to learn of other Mazon enthusiasts who might like to be tagged in future threads.
  7. I have a few shells like the one pictured below from Penn Dixie in New York. All I have for prep are dental picks. Is it possible to clean out the matrix to reveal more of the shell details with basic tools?
  8. I was tempted recently to pick up a DIY fossil prep kit from an online retailer, have always been curious and wanted to give it a shot. You guys make it seem so easy! I only have manual tools (kit included a metal pick and I've started using a hobby knife to remove some of the upper layers a little faster). The whole slab is approx 17cm and the fish itself is maybe around 11cm. I started this thread to share my progress and get a little feedback. Any tips? Anything I absolutely shouldn't do, or do more of? There is also a big lump visible above the fish, wondering if that is worth digging into or if its more likely to be nothing of interest. Having fun so far!! Thanks for any feedback
  9. DPS Ammonite

    HCl, muratic acid prep

    I like to use HCl, AKA muriatic acid, to prep the many silicified fossils that occur in Arizona limestone. When working with HCl it is most important to protect your eyes. Be careful with your skin too, use gloves if needed. I like to fill a plastic storage tub with a couple, few inches of water. I then place fossil in a smaller container that fits inside the larger tub. The tub in a tub is a safety feature. It is less likely for me or a pet to disturb the acid container. It also protects the surrounding objects from the acid. Keep a container of fresh water nearby to rinse your skin if you get acid on you. You also can use the fresher water in the large tub. When checking on the acid prepping progress, I like to pick up and place the fossil in the fresh water in the large tub so that I can hold it and inspect it. I place a small piece of calcite or limestone in the large tub to neutralize any acid that spills in there. Quick exposure to dilute HCl is not too bad as long as you have fresh water nearby to use to rinse. Use gloves even if I always do not do. I like to buy multipacks of 29 to 32 per cent HCl. They are cheaper than using lower concentration acid. Acid prep also works for Arizona Devonian quartz geodes filled with calcite. See before and after photo of a quartz geode collected from the Percha Formation that is filled with calcite. The geodes that don’t fill with calcite during formation usually collapse from the pressure of thousands of feet of rock above. See Devonian Martin Formation coral etched out of a block of limestone. Stay safe and have fun.
  10. saidthegirl

    How to prep coral colony?

    I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to clean/prep this coral colony. It was found in a shale pit in northern Iowa-from the Lime Creek formation. As you can see, there’s quite a bit still clinging to it. Is it safe to clean with some water and a toothbrush? The underside seems to have crystallized(?). Very new to fossil collecting and subsequent preparation. Thank you in advance! If anyone has a guess at ID please let me know as well.
  11. I finally found the blaster I have been looking for; a used Comco MB-1002 in decent shape. It also came with a blast box work station, but I dont have a use for it right this moment. I have to order a maintenance kit for some worn parts, but its functional. It goes through media WAY faster than my Vaniman, but it works so nicely. I dont know what size the tank valves are, and may need to order new ones as I suspect they could be too large for my media (and the reason its eating through it so fast). Now that I have my custom blast box, microscope, dust vac, and now this Comco, I hope I am done spending money on prepping gear for a while! Any comco users out there have any tips, tricks, or advice?
  12. I have been using dremels (290 and 7760) and hand tools for the most part so far, but I am looking to expand the range of tools I could use. Specifically, I would to start sandblasting and using air scribes. Thus I would be grateful if you could provide any information regarding all the necessary kit I would need (compressors, tubing etc) and where I can get these pieces for the best value for money. Thank you, HelicoprionChristian
  13. Tales From the Shale

    Actinoceras Scuff Repair

    I was prepping this Actinoceras out of limestone, and accidentally must have hit the phragmocone a few times too many when removing the matrix. Is there any way to try to minimize or fix the white scuff marks? I used a PA6-GF33 Dremel Engraver. It wasn't touchless( I know I probably should acquire air tools) so I scratched the specimen. It was almost entirely covered save for a tiny sliver. I put alot of hours into it and would like it to look the best I can. Any advice helps. Its from the Carter's Limestone from Nashville. Approx 438 mya Ordovician
  14. Rocks are handy for a campfire. A common use for stones in a campfire is to create a protective ring around the flame. This ring serves two purposes: Creates a barrier between the fire and the rest of the forest, keeping the rest of the woods safe. Creates a wind barrier that can help light the fire, especially in wet and windy conditions Whatever the reason, someone made a campfire at my fossil dig site, it's a small secluded beach along a river. A nice place to make a campfire. By the way, I noticed that a rock they used to make the protective ring around the flame, had very distinct and visible small white fossils on it. A small chuck of rock found in the ash contained even whiter fossils. I deduced that the bleaching of fossils is created by the heat of the fire. I started experimenting, I put a rock containing fossils in the oven and set the heat to maximum (don't laugh, this is a very serious experiment) after heating the fossil for a solid hour, nothing happened. For my second try, I used my barbecue (don't laugh), I think I can have a higher temperature with it, I cook the same fossil for an hour and I get the same result: nothing. I needed more heat, so for my third try I put the fossil not on the grill but directly on the burners, and hooray I got white crinoids and Sowerbyella that really stand out from the matrix. Does anyone know what is the chemical process that creates this amazing effect? I wonder if this is a good method to give a second life to dull, unappealing and scientifically unworthy fossils. The heating process helps to bring the fossils out of the matrix, making it visibly more interesting. What do you think? A dull and unattractive fossil I used for my test After high temperature heating
  15. Nanotyrannus35

    Some Oreodont Bones

    I had recently received a couple unprepped oreodont limb bones from @snolly50 and have started prepping them. Here's a pic of my workstation There's been a lot of repair in these bones that I had to do. The bone on the left I'm pretty sure is a humerus. Here's some more pictures of that one Then there's this other bone that I'm working on repairing and prepping, I think this might be a femur? Then I have this piece that looks like the end of the tibia and fibula with some tarsals. And last I have this unidentified limb bone end, about 3 inches long I'm doing all my prep work right now with a pin vice and it's turning out pretty well.
  16. This 2" claw arrived in the mail broken, unfortunately. The seller has offered to either refund me in full or give me a discount if I decide to repair it myself. In this case, what's my best option here? Regarding repair, is there a certain type of paleobond that would work best? I'm worried about the interior because it's basically that Moroccan sandy stuff and it's very unstable. I do currently have PB750 on hand.
  17. hadrosauridae

    prep lab air upgrade

    After rebuilding my prep station to accommodate working with my new microscope, the final part was to upgrade my air delivery with a super-sized desiccant filter. I was tired of changing out my desiccant beads 2 - 3 times a day during heavy use, so I made a DIY filter using a home water filter system. Now instead of using 4 ounces of beads, I have 4 pounds! That should finally give me a decent interval between changes.
  18. snolly50

    Mystery Bones

    By some vast, cosmic alignment of karma, snolly has become the possessor of a horde of material, deaccessioned from a museum's abundance. Information is scant, but "Oligocene" and "Nebraska" are offered as clues. The foil wrapped specimens had apparently lain in benign neglect for a a generous span, the bone rests in pieces with sheets of dried, peeling consolidant and crumbling matrix. The specimens appear to be limb bones and Oreodont is the donor that presents as likely. At present, snolly is leisurely joining the puzzle pieces and removing old consolidant (white glue?) and matrix. Please glance at the examples pictured and offer any insight as to their identity. Here are a couple typical pieces. Note the detritus of peeled consolidant.... This piece is perhaps a tibia with sherds of fibula attached, hanging precariously by the dried adhesive....
  19. hadrosauridae

    My finished prep box

    Finally able to upload the pics of the finished prep box! Shows the way it opens for loading, the LED light strips with power switch and pig-tail plug for my shopvac so it all comes on together. Also have a small mag lens for preps where I don't need the microscope level of zoom. Now I just have to finish redesigning the air supply. Also, I may have just won the lottery. Waiting to hear from the company for a shipping quote. --- Side note, the purchase price was $50.00! I think a mod edited the pic because it had a company name in the original screen grab.
  20. Ptychodus04

    Turtle Prep

    I’ve been out of the prep lab for a week with an illness that knocked me on my rear. Yesterday, I got back in the lab and got to work on the initial prep on a large turtle from the Green River Formation. This beast is about 5’ long and came from the Mini Fish Layer. The matrix is a bit sticky but the bone quality is exceptional. It was found with a skidsteer while clearing loose rock at the start of last season, so it’s in multiple pieces. That makes it a more manageable prep but it would have been cool in one piece! This little guy is going to take me several months to complete. This section contains the head, part of the carapace and the left foreleg.
  21. Here is a crab prep video I did last week. Not only had fun making the video but I remember having fun prepping this out. It was quite the challenge. 3 minutes 34 seconds. https://youtu.be/w6Sw-FdlIlQ
  22. Hey everyone! So I have heard from many people that it is good to have something to support your arm and something to support your fossils. And I just thought I would ask everyone how they made theirs, what they used, and maybe what they look like? Thank you in advance! -Micah
  23. I am new to fossil prep, so I figured that air scribe tips would be highly cross compatible. I recently bought two air scribes: one Chicago scribe and one Fossil Shack air scribe. Additionally, because I read it was good, I bought a Paleo Aro 2.5" stylus. It is very sharp, which is excellent, but when I tried to put in in either of my air scribes, it was too wide to fit through the head hole. Would I need to get a whole different air scribe to use the tip, or would I be able to attach a head from Paleotools to the Fossil Shack scribe I already have?
  24. Here’s a tease of one of my upcoming prep projects. It’s not next in queue but it’s coming soon. I spent some time doing exploratory prep on it for the last couple of days. Anyone know what it is? I’ll give you 2 hints. It’s from the Green River Formation and it’s not a fish.
  25. Neanderthal Shaman

    A Ghost Shrimp Claw (Yet Again)

    I've been on a ghost shrimp claw kick lately, working through the concretions that I collected over Presidents Day weekend (February 21st for all you non-Americans). This one came out pretty nice! Species is Callianopsis clallamensis from Washington State. Prepped with a Dremel 290.
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