OregonFossil Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Which do you prefer to Mold or Cast - Why? Secondary question is have you ever used a vice to break shale or sandstone? I started do this and seem to get good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 A mold is a void. A cast is a 3-D representation of the interior or exterior of the actual fossil. A ready-made cast is usually preferable to making your own cast from a natural mold. There are exceptions, as in the case of a natural external mold. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 For me, it depends. I like casts of shells and trilobites. However, there are some molds that are extremely detailed - and those are interesting to me as well. I've never used a vise, but I have used a tile nipper to do some soft limestone trimming/extraction. Someone not too long ago posted about using vices to break matrix. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonFossil Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 I just stumbled upon the vice method as I restart my fossil hunting. You can feel even shale break before it cracks. I use dental tools and a dramil with small steel bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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