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Hello, I recently got this section of fossilized squid pen of the giant squid Tusoteuthis longa, from the Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk of Kansas, USA. It measures about 7cm long. After receiving it I realized that it seemed rather unstable, with small "splinters" flaking off like a fragile piece of wood. I hear it is recommended to consolidate vertebrate bones with something like Butvar B-76, but what about something like this squid pen? I don't know what the material even is. Does anyone have experience preserving these? Thanks.

So I had previously bought an electric diamond tip Dremel but I want to upgrade to a faster way to break off matrix because at this rate fossils are taking me 8+ hours for a mediocre job. I am now looking seriously into air scribes because their efficiency and ease on my hands and time. So I have a budget of around 400$ (total for the airscribe and compressor) I was looking into the Chicago pneumatic CP9361 which is 260$ on amazon but its from Hungary and the reviews say sometimes it doesn't work. And I saw another for 900$. So I am confused on how much this should cost. If I am going to spend nearly 260 I want it to work. I have decided that maybe I should play it safer and try out a less expensive scribe *because I still need to buy a compressor* and this is my next option (see photos) My questions are 1. Does this look like it would be slightly faster than a 20$ electric Dremel. 2. Do you think this will be a good tool for basic fossil prep work. 3. Where can I buy a compressor? (budget of 200$) 4. What should I look for in an air compressor to fit the needs of this scribe. Thank you for any feedback, hopefully someone can help out a novice like me

Yesterday i did some maintenance on my tool. I opened my TT pen and added some oil and cleaned the inside and tip. Today when i plugged it in, it started at first then after 30 seconds just blows air and doesnt boot up or make any noise i've opened and closed it afew times but still nothing, any ideas? Thanks, Liam

Hey all, I'm planning to buy everything i need to prep my finds next week. I'm very new to this so please if something is wrong or i missed something let me know. I plan on plugging the compressor in my garage and doing the actual pen work outside. 1. Pneumatic Fossil Preparation Pen. Model TT 2. SGS 50L Air Compressor 2.5HP 3. Air Compressor Oil 4. Water Trap 5. 10m Air Line Hose 6. 3M Dust Mask Did I get everything and are these the correct things to buy? Thank you.

Hello everyone, I've had an idea for a while now to write and illustrate a guide on the fossil shark species of SC and how to find their remains. I really am not sure where I would like to begin, but my brainstorming process apparently involves a certain amount of doodling. These pages represent studies for how I might like certain parts of the guide to look, though all text will be typed in the final product. I am looking for any feedback - critique of the artwork, topics you'd like to see covered, additional information, etc., etc. enjoy! Here's a page that started for a mock-up for the specific species Hemipristis serra. I also drew a representation of Isurus desori on the bottom... A page dedicated to Carcharocles/Otodus megalodon (as I imagine him) And a portion of a simple tooth guide (not really sure how to incorporate this yet) - And thats most of what I've got so far. What do ya'll think?

Hi everyone, I would like to buy a pneumatic pen to start preparing fossils but my budjet is limited, I saw the chicago cp710 or 9160. Does anyone have opinions or thoughts about it? Thanks

I have been working on making my own air abrasive unit but the pen section I created it not precise enough being made of plumbing parts. I am curious if any of you have found a somewhat affordable pen. I have only seen tip replacements and pens with the abrasive feeder. Thanks

Looking at different compressors, some are 2hp and some 2.5hp, some have 7cfm and some 9.3cfm would these make a difference when prepping do you think ? Any real noticeable difference ? Thanks