Prepping trilobites but not being able to use air tools

[Jurassicz1]

So i got alot of trilobites that i would like to prep. But i only have a dremel and hand tools.

But i dont think a dremel would be good for trilobites. Most of them are in limestone from sweden. Mostly kinnekulle. Im scared of doing damage to the trilobites with hand tools. As i cant get air tools. I have sharp nail vises and a exacto knife and a optivisor. Also the matrix can sometimes be soft and easy to prep and sometimes it can be super hard 

[ParkerPaleo]

Hand tools can certainly be used, and if done with care, will leave a specimen as nice as any air tool.  The big thing you gain with air tools is speed.  My rule of thumb is anything smaller than a thumbnail has to be done by hand.  

 

I prefer to use carbide needles similar to these:  https://www.paleotools.com/pin-vise-and-needles

 

You can make you own if you have the needle stock and a sharpening stone.

 

As far as worrying about damage, my tips would be: 

 

1. Go slow, rushing causes mistakes.  
2. Use short strokes with the pin vice/blade.  
3. Use good/lots of light.
4. Use magnification.
5. Know your anatomy.  Think ahead about where the specimen should be under the rock.

[Sjfriend]

What @ParkerPaleo said, also try to work with tool going away from fossil as much as possible. That way slip will be aimed away not at specimen. 

[daves64]

Dental picks & scrapers work well too.