DE&i Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Hello everyone, My Grandad gave me a little electric tile grout remover tool to practice on some of my Oxford Clay finds. The pieces I like to collect are a real hard shelly concretion with lots of shells, ammonites, and belemnites all in together .And this our shed that Dad is hoping to turn into a prepping shed this year. All the Ammonites you find in these pieces are just calcite but I’m hoping if im carefull enough I might be able to remove some without breaking them. I don’t know the i.d. of them yet but I’ll read my Fossils of the Oxford Clay book later. If anyone has any advice I’d like to hear it please because I’ve never done anything like this before. Kind Regards, Elliot. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 It appears you have some great projects to prep. I am not familiar with the matrix you are disturbing, but if you are producing any dust at all, I would recommend using simple, paper dust masks. I see you are already protecting your eyes. That's certainly the proper procedure. Have fun with all those fossils needing exposure. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share Posted April 13, 2014 Thank you Snolly 50...my dad has got me some masks. Regards, Elliot. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosmoceras Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Remember to let the pen (engraver in this case) do the work, not you. That means do not force the tool to remove the matrix and take your time - be patient. If it is noisy you may want to consider ear protection. Practice and experience is needed so start on the finds which you are not worried about or are broken. Good luck! Best wishes, Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 The sharper you keep the tip honed, the more control you will have. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Hey Darren, about the only thing I can add is that you can use a tiny brush and some watery glue to help keep things together while prepping and hopefully save more of what you want. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Remember to let the pen (engraver in this case) do the work, not you. That means do not force the tool to remove the matrix and take your time - be patient. If it is noisy you may want to consider ear protection. Practice and experience is needed so start on the finds which you are not worried about or are broken. Good luck! Best wishes, Thomas Thank you ive broken quite a few all ready.. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 The sharper you keep the tip honed, the more control you will have. Thank you we went down to our local hardware store and got some finer tips they are much better. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Hey Darren, about the only thing I can add is that you can use a tiny brush and some watery glue to help keep things together while prepping and hopefully save more of what you want. RB Thank you i wish i see your reply earlier im going to try that. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Here’s a technique someone showed my dad on how to fix some of my broken Belemnites. I didn’t want to get super glue on my hands so my Dad fixed these. First put some sand in a bowl. Then get two halves that you need gluing. Put some glue on one piece. Then stick together and put the belemnite upright in sand while it sticks. Repeat with your other broken belemnites. Happy gluing…hope you learned something today. Regards, Elliot. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 An asparagus garden! "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Super, it looks like a belemnite birthday cake! Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 An asparagus garden! They look better than the ones my Dad tried to grow Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Super, it looks like a belemnite birthday cake! Ah Ha youve given me an idea ( but my Dad is watching me type ) Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Im starting to collect these Lopha marshii shells now to decorate around our prepping shed, they have a hard sandy coating on them would you have any suggestions on how to clean these up please. Regards, Elliot. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 (edited) Im starting to collect these Lopha marshii shells now to decorate around our prepping shed, they have a hard sandy coating on them would you have any suggestions on how to clean these up please. Regards, Elliot. Lopha marshii 1 .jpgLopha marshii.jpg I found that a good method to use before I got my air abrader was to scrub it under running water with a metal brush, steel or bronze, although you have to wash off the bronze afterwards. You'll need lots of elbow grease. Edited April 20, 2014 by Ludwigia Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Thank you Roger ill pass the information onto the wee man in the morning...do you mean those the bronze brushes you can use on suede type shoes to buff them up a bit. I think i have one knocking about somewhere. Regards, Darren. Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) Thank you Roger ill pass the information onto the wee man in the morning...do you mean those the bronze brushes you can use on suede type shoes to buff them up a bit. I think i have one knocking about somewhere. Regards, Darren. Yes, that's exactly what I mean. You can also find larger versions at your local hardware store. Try the small one first, but you may need something a little more sturdy. Edited April 21, 2014 by Ludwigia Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE&i Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) That's excellent news..we are of too a mediaeval quarry called Hills and Holes in Barnack near Stamford to search for discarded Victorian pottery pieces that rabbits dislodge from there burrows.Ill stop in a store on my way there. Regards, D&E. Edited April 21, 2014 by DarrenElliot Regards.....D&E&i The only certainty with fossil hunting is the uncertainty. https://lnk.bio/Darren.Withers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Try holding the tool by the blue part down near the working end... I think you will have more control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now