Splitting Wheeler Shale

[Clanjones]

I received a quantity of Wheeler shale as a gift, but I can't figure out how to split it. The Internet has not been very helpful. I am using a flat chisel, but the shale is breaking off in small fragments instead of splitting down the middle. I do not want to damage the trilobites that are possibly inside. Do any experienced shale splitters have any advice?

[jpc]

Wheeler Shale usually splits fairly randomly. If you are using a hammer and chisel, place the chisel along the bedding planes and tap gently. It may help to move the chisel over a little bit after a crack develops. But generally it does not split like Green River Fm.

[izak_]

I don't have experience with the wheeler shale, but I do what Troodon said. Depending on the size of the rock, we sometimes use a bolster chisel.

[Clanjones]

Would freeze/thawing help make cracks along where the fossils are?

[Mike Pocock]

Hi Not wishing to sound like I am teaching you to suck eggs, but I have split some shale and slate and use a very sharp 2 inch wide wood chisel, it works very well, also make sure that you have the shale on a firm surface not a soft one.

Good luck hope you find some trilobites.

Regards

Mike

[Ptychodus04]

I use a 1/8"x2" piece of steel bar that is about 12" long to split shale. Grind one end to a chisel point. Then bang away with a 2lb sledge on the other end. It works well for me.