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I've had pretty good results with the ARMEX Maintenance formula sodium bicarbonate blast media. I have to run it at the highest PSI my compressor can give (about 120 psi) in order for it to remove matrix relatively quickly. Still, that's only good with soft matrix. Anything hard, and it's almost worthless. I switch over to glass beads at about 30-50 psi, but you can definitely destroy a fossil with it. It's too abrasive. I'm wondering if anyone has used the ARMEX Maintenance XL, which is supposed to be 270 microns/70 grit, as opposed to the regular formula which is 170 microns/100 grit. Then again the glass beads are supposed to be 80 grit...

There are many questions on Dolomite micro-blaster media sources. Here are some links to suppliers and producers for fine ground Dolomite, form a not commonly known source. Base Ball, Football, Soccer, Schools, Etc. The main product used for lineing all of these sport fields is fine ground Dolomite by the hundreds of pounds. I came across a partial bag of this product at a garage sale, cheep. At first I didn't know if I had a use for this 40 LBS of powder, (unknow at the time) but I bought it to check on it. I found out that it is used for marking white lines on ball fields and that it is powdered Dolomite and it worked great in my cheep micro-blaster. Checking the MSDS information from the producer showed that this powder is almost 100% pure Dolomite and if you can find a local source it is only $5 to $10 dollars US per 50 pound bag. Now that is dirt cheep to what many charge for blasting media. The main producer is the Imerys company out of Georgia. Link: http://www.imerys-perfmins.com/usa/markets/field-marking.htm They also have a European branch: Le Choix Des Pros listed on the bag I have. I am thinking that a possable source would be your local school system sports/maintence detartments. They may be able to sell you a bag, order you a bag or give you a name of a local supplier. This might help for someone not close to a supplier as I would think shipping is expensive for a 50 lb. But here are some links for suppliers on line. Better Baseball: http://www.betterbaseball.com/50-lb-bag-of-marking-chalk.html?gclid=CLL838SNp8gCFYM6aQodOvgFUQ JRK seed supply, Diamond White Plus: http://allproturfsupply.com/sportsinfield.html Beamclay.com http://www.beamclay.com/107A%20-%20Field%20Marking%20Chalk%20and%20Dry%20Line%20Marking%20Equipment.pdf Sullivan Corporation; Plus 5, From IMERYS http://www.hellotrade.com/sullivan-corporation/athletic-field-marker-chalk.html I hope this info helps someone to get a cheeper blast medium, and ideas for suppliers of this needed product. Ziggie Cie