Carbide/carbon steel needles

[Bill Hoddson]

After reading a few articles on removing matrix from fossils, I see most tool lists state a pin vise with carbide/carbon steel needles are standard equipment.  I already have pin vises acquired from building models, but I seem to come up short on finding appropriate sized needles. 

 

What do you all use?

[Fossildude19]

Some people make their own from carbon steel round stock available at local hardware stores.

I use replacement scribe tips, such as the General tools pocket scriber replacement tip:

 

 

 

[Ptychodus04]

I use the carbide rod mentioned by @Fossildude19 mentioned. I also use a large sewing needle. They are hardened steel, so all you have to do is get one big enough that it doesn’t bend when you push against a rock.

[fossilhunter21]

Paleotools sells some needles for fossil prep, I have never tried them out though. 

 

-@fossilhunter21

[Fossildude19]

I know that @RJB uses old chainsaw files sharpened to a point.

[Fossildude19]

50 minutes ago, fossilhunter21 said:

Paleotools sells some needles for fossil prep, I have never tried them out though. 

 

-@fossilhunter21

 

These, while I am sure are good, are way out of many peoples budgets.

Bead reamers, sewing needles, even old nails or screws sharpened to a point, can work just as well as these expensive tools.

Old dentistry picks work well, too.

Going to Flea markets is a good way to get good tools cheap.

[jpc]

2 hours ago, fossilhunter21 said:

Paleotools sells some needles for fossil prep, I have never tried them out though. 

 

-@fossilhunter21

Paleotools's needles should work well.  I buy carbide rod in 12 inch lengths from MSC Industrial Supply.  I actually haven't bought any in ten years cuz they last forever.  Whether you get 12 inch lengths or Paleotools shorter ones, you will need a diamond bit on your Dremel to sharpen them.  Carbide rod has a hardness of 9, hence its usefulness in paleo prep, so it can only be sharpened with diamonds. 

 

1 hour ago, Fossildude19 said:

 

These, while I am sure are good, are way out of many peoples budgets.

Bead reamers, sewing needles, even old nails or screws sharpened to a point, can work just as well as these expensive tools.

Old dentistry picks work well, too.

Going to Flea markets is a good way to get good tools cheap.

All of these are too soft for some of the work I do, so it does depend on what you plan to work on.  Having said that, I keep at least a half dozen pin vices on hand each with different tips, from sewing needles and pins to carbide rod ( extra fine is 1/64th inch, that is the truly expensive stuff from Paleotools).  I even have one with a toothpick in it.  

 

(I did my first White River fossil with a drywall screw).         

[ParkerPaleo]

3 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

 

These, while I am sure are good, are way out of many peoples budgets.

Bead reamers, sewing needles, even old nails or screws sharpened to a point, can work just as well as these expensive tools.

Old dentistry picks work well, too.

Going to Flea markets is a good way to get good tools cheap.

I swear by the Paleotools needles, I bought a few packs many moons ago.  I do see they have gone up significantly in price but they have been worth every penny for the microscope work I do.  They are able to be sharpened if you have a diamond whetstone or use diamond grinding wheels as @jpc mentions.  If you are only planning on preparing an Oreodont, a common green river fish or some common trilobites, dental picks would likely suffice but if you are doing any high level to professional preps, I would not skip the extra expense for carbide rods.  The quality/design specifications of the tool you use to prepare something generally does reflect in quality of the end product at some level in my experience.

 

That all being said, for most amateur preparators, I would advise starting with dental picks and needles.  as you gain experience and begin working on smaller and smaller items, you will need to consider adding carbide needles to your toolset.

[RJB]

And they are free!!!  Been using these for 30 years

 

RB