Which Air Scribe to get with Christmas money?

[joecooper84]

I was given ~$400 USD on Christmas, earmarked for an air scribe and air compressor. I've read many posts on the site about what to get, but many are almost a decade old now (that's so hard to believe!)

 

My use-case would be limestone fossils (primarily ammonites or trilobites from North Texas / Oklahoma areas. 

I've seen recommendations for Chicago Pneumatic, a 8315B, Paleo-Tools, etc.

 

What all do I need to get, assuming I'm starting with nothing? If I need to save more money, I'm willing to do so.

I do have a 5 gallon cylinder shaped air-compressor, but assume I should get something bigger.

Thanks all!

[Ptychodus04]

Awesome! Money to spend on tools is the best!!

 

With this budget, I would suggest a Chicago Pneumatic CP9361. I use a 21 gallon compressor from Harbor Freight that was pretty cheap as well.

[joecooper84]

In regards to the air compressor - I've heard something about oil vs oil-less?

Also, do I need some sort of oil trap or something for the airscribe?

What tips do you recommend?

[Ptychodus04]

Definitely get an oil lubricated compressor. They are much quieter (still deafeningly loud tho). You do want an oil/moisture trap. A good one will only be around $20.

 

If you can put your compressor in a different room, that is best. Mine lives in the garage and I ran a line out to my prep lab.

 

Since the scribe has moving parts, you will want to drop a few drops of tool oil in the inlet side of the tool’s air line. I do 3 or 4 drops for every 8 hours of use.

 

Also, you will need some magnification. I use a lamp/lens combo as well as a microscope. You will want some kind of hearing protection. I use a set of ear bud headphones that have compression foam buds. You need a respirator (scribes make a ton of lung killing dust).

 

Keep in mind that your prep area will get a thick layer of dust on everything really fast, so don’t do it in an area that will make your significant other angry.

 

For the record, I like Paleo Tools more than Chicago Pneumatic but they are significantly more expensive (almost double).

 

Beware... You’re jumping into an expensive hobby with prepping.

[joecooper84]

Any recommendation on where to get tips for the CP9361?

 

 

I'm looking at this mask https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003973C6A/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

and this air compressor - https://www.harborfreight.com/20-gallon-16-hp-135-psi-oil-lube-vertical-air-compressor-64857.html

 

Thoughts?

 

I just bought this CP9361 https://www.online.com/itm/Chicago-pneumatic-cp-9361-Engraving-Pen-New-In-Bag-Free-Ship-/274115761739?hash=item3fd292964b%3Ag%3A~wgAAOSwIi5d3Yk1&nma=true&si=nHb4Ka%2BUdLrDa%2BzcZLkuUnhDYEA%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[Ptychodus04]

That compressor would do well for you. I believe Paleo Tools sells styli for the 9361 but I’m not certain.

[cngodles]

I bought the Chicago earlier this year. I use mine in limestone, it's fun to use. It's loud. You turn it from 1-5 in strength, and 5 is the loudest and hardest hitting. I typically use it at 3-4.

 

Everything will get covered in rock dust. I won't use it unless I'm on the porch now. Maybe one day I'll make a prep box. I wear a standard paper dusk mask and use a full face shield. I found that goggles tend to fog up. I tried it without, I always ended up getting rock chips in my eyes. It's easier on the ears with hearing protection. It will vibrate your hands a ton and you'll want to take breaks.

 

I started with an under powered compressor, then bought a California air tools 8010 compressor for $143 at the time (8 gallon). It is amazingly quiet, much quieter than the air scribe to be honest.

 

I oil mine manually, I should do it more often. But the scribe is a high quality beast.

[cngodles]

Some links for an idea of things I use:

 

Full shield: https://www.amazon.com/Sellstrom-S30120-Advantage-All-Purpose-Polycarbonate/dp/B01N2ZTB7M/

Compressor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WM1VPKE/

Any P95 mask.

 

Recently prepped piece:

https://fossil.15656.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BF415C85-DF98-4D31-932F-685A444120BF.jpeg