Jump to content

How Does The "freeze And Thaw" Method Work?


thefossilkid

Recommended Posts

Hello, I just bought 33 un-opened mazon creek fossil nodules, and the seller said its best to use the "freeze and thaw" method. What is the "freeze and thaw method? how does it work?Thanks

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello, I just bought 33 un-opened mazon creek fossil nodules, and the seller said its best to use the "freeze and thaw" method. What is the "freeze and thaw method? how does it work?Thanks

Put your nodules in shallow tubs of water....put in your freezer until frozen....thaw....repeat. The water will soak into the weakest part of the nodule - the fossil - and expand when frozen. The nodule will neatly split at the fossil. Be patient. It takes many times.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Put it in the oven at 450% for two hours or more

Take it out and throw in it a snow bank

wait until spring to pick up the piece's :D:D

NOT :faint:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Put your nodules in shallow tubs of water....put in your freezer until frozen....thaw....repeat. The water will soak into the weakest part of the nodule - the fossil - and expand when frozen. The nodule will neatly split at the fossil. Be patient. It takes many times.

I'd never heard of that method either but it makes sense... really cool! (no pun intended)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ok, so i put the fossils into water for how long? and then put them in the freezer for how long? then thaw them for how long? then do u put them back into the water again and start the procces over? or just keep putting them into the freezer?Thanks

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ok, so i put the fossils into water for how long? and then put them in the freezer for how long? then thaw them for how long? then do u put them back into the water again and start the procces over? or just keep putting them into the freezer?Thanks

put them in the freezer until the water freezes solid....will depend on how deep the water is. Thaw until completely melted - again, will be determined by the depth of the water. A shallow tray will allow more freeze/thaw cycles per day. I don't recommend running under hot water to thaw them - you can crack them in places where the fossil isn't. The freezing opens the nodule, not the thawing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

put them in the freezer until the water freezes solid....will depend on how deep the water is. Thaw until completely melted - again, will be determined by the depth of the water. A shallow tray will allow more freeze/thaw cycles per day. I don't recommend running under hot water to thaw them - you can crack them in places where the fossil isn't. The freezing opens the nodule, not the thawing.

OOOO ok I got it now, Thanks!!!

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thefossilskid

Please post on what happens.

[/quote

OK, no problem ;)

BTW, how long does it usually take for them to "pop" open?

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BTW, how long does it usually take for them to "pop" open?

"A watched nodule never cracks"; just keep doing it until they do :)

"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

"A watched nodule never cracks"; just keep doing it until they do :)

but if there is no fossil inside, ther will be no airpocket for the water to get into, resulting in a nodule that wont crack. right??

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

but if there is no fossil inside, ther will be no airpocket for the water to get into, resulting in a nodule that wont crack. right??

At some point, there was an organic mass. That's what the nodule formed around. There are "empty" nodules where the organic material did not preserve. It will however make a weak point in the nodule, and that's where it will split. You may have to freeze/thaw 50+ times for a stubborn one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you heat them first before putting in water. as they cool in the water the air inside will condense and draw in more water speedin g up the whole process.

:)

How would i heat them? can i freeze them , then put them by my fire placr to speed the thawing out?

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How would i heat them? can i freeze them , then put them by my fire placr to speed the thawing out?

Don't speed the thawing!!! (Think throwing hot water on a piece of glass....) CRACK (and not where you want it)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you heat them first before putting in water. as they cool in the water the air inside will condense and draw in more water speedin g up the whole process.

:)

how would i heat the fossils?

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Put your nodules in shallow tubs of water....put in your freezer until frozen....thaw....repeat. The water will soak into the weakest part of the nodule - the fossil - and expand when frozen. The nodule will neatly split at the fossil. Be patient. It takes many times.

Hi, does the water needs to be changed after every freeze and thaw cycle?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, does the water needs to be changed after every freeze and thaw cycle?

Nope! Any water is fine...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nope! Any water is fine...

they opened!! I got ferns, cyperite, and i think a little clam.

Jake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

they opened!! I got ferns, cyperite, and i think a little clam.

Lets see pictures, good job!!!!!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

they opened!! I got ferns, cyperite, and i think a little clam.

Great!!!

How many freeze/thaw cycles did they take?

"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

they opened!! I got ferns, cyperite, and i think a little clam.

Woo hoo! Christmas in March!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...