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Starting Preparation - Very Simple Prep Tools for Novices With Visuals


minnbuckeye

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Being a member of the forum for 7 great years now, I have seen plenty of questions from beginners asking how to prep their finds. And this was something I struggled with at the beginning myself. As a result, I have brought together some of MY techniques of basic fossil preparation in a picture heavy presentation. Each fossil shown required less than 4 minutes to prep. It works well for me with the type of rock that I pick up. My old techniques will probably make more advanced members cringe!!!  But remember, we all have to start somewhere. So let us begin with items that are probably already found in your homeDSC_0262-003.JPG.7576d9db07d5a08ea480270e2e1947a1.JPG 

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We will need some matrix to work on. All pieces of matrix in the bucket have a hint of a fossil showing. From experience, I have found that removing most of the matrix out on a hunt results in disaster. Improper tools, hasty removal, pieces fly and drop onto the rocks below, no glue. Trim pieces down to a reasonable size  but do the finesse work at home. 

 

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VICE:

I knew the vice would make some of you scream NO!!!! I heard @Malcolmt for sure!!! The vice is usually used for breaking off larger chunks of matrix . Always begin AWAY from the fossil and as matrix is removed, move towards it. Microfractures will occur in the matrix as one progresses closer to the fossil. Something that you can "feel". At this point the heavy duty equipment can be put away and use more delicate utensils. When applying pressure to the matrix, do so SLOWLY. Often you will feel the rock break BEFORE cracks are seen. Stop and assess the situation before proceeding. Look at the pieces of matrix removed as they can reveal unseen fossils that are worthy of collection. If an unforeseen fracture occurs through the fossil, CAREFULLY remove the pieces from the vice. This is why superglue is pictured in the tools needed for preparation. 

 

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HAMMER:

 It is used with a chisel or a drywall screw but can be utilized alone. If such is the case, I have had the best luck tapping the matrix on the backside. Give gentile taps over the surface of the matrix trying to find weaknesses in the rock. As with the vice, you often feel the weakness before the break. This allows inspection of the fossil, making sure the matrix doesn't split through the fossil. On layered matrix, Tap on the sides of the specimen, not on the top or bottom. This will allow splitting of the sample in a bedding plane, as seen below.

  

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 CHISEL:

 Chisels seem to be most effective in very hard matrix or softer layered stone. Place the chisel on a bedding plane NEXT TO the fossil. If the chisel touches a fossil, a imperfection will likely be produced. Unfortunately, sometimes this can't be helped. As with the vice and hammer, start with gentle taps, slowly increasing in force until success is had.

 

 

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  • Fossildude19 changed the title to Starting Preparation - Very Simple Prep Tools for Novices With Visuals
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Great topic, Mike! 

Thanks for the informative post. 

Pinned! 

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    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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Don't forget the xacto knife and sewing machine needles. With all my fancy equipment there are still times that I use them ......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2021-01-025.thumb.jpg.6aed4824f3d4dce4389e08df2edf77f8.jpg 

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 DRYWALL screw 

Use the longer ones, giving you better control of the screw. They do bend on occasion but are cheap to replace. The drywall screw is not as likely as a chisel to mark a fossil so if needed, it can be placed against it. 

 

  

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RAZOR BLADE 

Since it is used in later prep, it is best to wet the fossil when trying to remove bits of matrix. Shave little bits off at a time until almost gone. A stiff brush can be used then to remove the residual film. It is easy to shave into the fossil itself. Stop before this happens. 

 

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WIRE CUTTERS 

Choose long handled ones for better torque on the rock being removed. Do not use unless the matrix is thin enough to get a good bite with just the tip. Taking small bites at a time is less problematic than going for it all at once. Use just the tip and place the flat side toward the fossil. Be careful that your skin does not inadvertently get removed with some matrix. I guarantee you, it hurts! 

 

 DREMEL ENGRAVER

  A valuable tool to do some of the fine cleanup and detail work. I did not use it on the examples provided since the fossils are marginal and going to the local fossil pit for the children to "find". The cost of an engraver is $19.99!

 

 I hope this presentation can assist anyone new to fossil collecting prepare their finds cheaply. DO NOT use my techniques on potentially valuable fossils. There are much better ways of prepping. But for many, these hints can improve the appearance of some fossils of yours. In closing, I will show other examples that required multiple devices in the fossil prep. Thanks for listening and not yelling at me for advocating vices! 

 

 Mike 

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This topic is extremely useful. I will try to use these techniques on a Belemnite in matrix I have. Very informative topic.

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It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt

 

-Mark Twain

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Great topic with visuals Mike! Should be a big help for first time preppers on a budget. Way to go! :thumbsu:

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The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.  -Neil deGrasse Tyson

 

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy)

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1 hour ago, JamieLynn said:

so when you have the rock in the vice, do you tap it with a hammer to get it to break or are you just using arm force? 

 

@JamieLynn, Arm force, which isn't much at my age. LOL

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I can never remove the fossil once I have prepped around it. Well I’ve removed a couple. My problem I think is that I don’t want to destroy fossils near the one I’m working on. Also many of the fossils I find are all wound up together so I cannot decide which to save.  I have collected fossils for decades but  I have only recently started prepping. Your information and photos of the process are excellent instructive tools. Thank you so much. 

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@jeannie55, it sounds like leaving a bit of matrix may be your best choice when further prep may damage another keeper. I actually prefer a bit of matrix left with a fossil. Unfortunately, sometimes a fossil needs to be sacrificed. But often in the process of matrix removal, better fossils can be exposed. Good luck! 

 

 Mike

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Just used this on the partial belemnite from Holzmaden I mentioned earlier. Using planned whacks from the hammer, I was able to completely reveal it, including the fragmentary phragmocone (pun intended.) When you whack it, the vibrations cause a thin separation layer to form between the fossil and the surrounding stone, preventing any damage! A great, informative guide on a form of basic preparation few people consider.

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt

 

-Mark Twain

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It only took around two minutes!

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt

 

-Mark Twain

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@Thecosmilia Trichitoma, Glad my "crude" suggestions worked. The separation of the fossil and the matrix can actually be "felt " and more controlled with a vice. You can't stop the swing of a hammer! I am currently constructing a prep room but will never abandon some of my simple techniques! 

 

Mike

 

 

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2 hours ago, minnbuckeye said:

You can't stop the swing of a hammer!

I did it as a series of small taps that slowly got larger so that I could make sure never to get out of control.

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt

 

-Mark Twain

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  • 1 month later...

This is the tip I currently use for my Dremel Engraver.

It works nicely for getting into tight areas. 

 

Premium-Carbide-Scribe-Replacement-SCB-537-10

 

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I have also used Tile Nippers for trimming and breaking rock. 

 

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    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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Since Tim  @Fossildude19 mentioned tile nippers, I’ll second his recommendation and add a tile coping saw as well. They are good for trimming excess matrix. Just make sure the saw has a carbide blade made for tile cutting like the one pictured below. The “blade” is actually a rod covered in abrasive material.  Don’t use the wood cutting blades!

 

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BTW... Great topic Mike! :) @minnbuckeye

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The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.  -Neil deGrasse Tyson

 

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy)

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Fantastic topic and visuals, i feel that some people might be intimidated by fossil prep and decide its not for them, this post strips down all the fancy tools and lets potential start up preppers see its quite possible to prep out a fossil successfully with just basic tools! Well done

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