Kane Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Not long ago I received an unprepared asaphid trilobite, Asaphus lepidurus, with the intention of honing my still very green, nascent preparation skills. From my initial impression, I doubted that the left cephalon was complete, but was instead busted. Turned out it was all there! The reason it was being offered for sale at a significantly reduced price was because of some issues that would not make it a museum quality specimen, such as shell discolouration and some minor chipping. This was how it looked in its initial state: ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 The first few hours was mostly some light scribing, followed by slow and steady pin vise work. The matrix itself is quite thin, so I couldn't risk sending too much vibration through this. After most of the bulk matrix was removed, finer removal between the pleura and very sticky "schmutz" on both the cephalon and glabella took place. There were some minor mistakes on my part, but easily fixed. Some light blasting with the Paasche (after having to unclog the hose) was only slightly effective. Paasche AECR, dolomite powder 20-40 PSI. I may have to invest in a COMCO. Four hours in time-lapse: before and after compared side by side: 9 1 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 The pleura on the right are far too thin and exposed for me to risk uncovering them more. Even stabilizing the shell might not be the answer, so I'm leaving well enough alone. Here are two other views to show the absence of matrix in the tucked in segments. It isn't perfect, but it is better than my first attempt at this kind of trilobite. For me, it has earned its place in the cabinet. 2 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 That looks pretty darn good to me! Very nice job “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Looks phenomenal, Kane! Great job! Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 A beautiful piece of work, Kane. Not museum quality? Not far off now. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DatFossilBoy Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Stunning job! Bravo! Wish I had the skills an the tools to prep something like that. Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 From start to finish is quite the difference! Looks like im not the only one who has stuff sittin on the side line for years too. Nice job kane. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Not too shabby an effort,sir!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 Thanks everyone. The more I do this, the more I learn. Left out of my description of the process was the occasional cussing, or the sudden panic when you think you've goofed. All part of prep, I'm thinking. 1 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerogrower Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Great work, thanks for the post. Love seeing someone that has talent do this kind of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ischua Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Very nice sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Looks great, nice prep job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Very impressive! A very worthy addition to the cabinet now that you've revealed it in all it's glory. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggedy Man Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 What type of micro abrasion unit do you use Kane? ...I'm back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 Just now, Raggedy Man said: What type of micro abrasion unit do you use Kane? I use a Paasche AECR. If I go above 50 PSI, it inflates the aluminum container with a loud "pop." 1 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phevo Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 It turned out very nice, certainly was not expecting it to turn out this well based on the first picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 2 hours ago, Kane said: Left out of my description of the process was the occasional cussing, or the sudden panic when you think you've goofed. All part of prep, I'm thinking. That's a beautiful bug Kane! Well done. You're picking up the prep skills really fast sir. And, yes the cussing and panic are all part of it (we just usually smooth over that part in front of the children). Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 3 minutes ago, Ptychodus04 said: That's a beautiful bug Kane! Well done. You're picking up the prep skills really fast sir. And, yes the cussing and panic are all part of it (we just usually smooth over that part in front of the children). Thanks, Kris! One small adaptation I used this round was in getting a small enough collar for a mini-Dremel to attach a sewing needle. My next tiny tool to add would be to grind a sewing needle into more of a chisel tip to avoid the accidental punctures (I made a few on this one, but was able to cover them up). ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ptychodus04 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 18 minutes ago, Kane said: Thanks, Kris! One small adaptation I used this round was in getting a small enough collar for a mini-Dremel to attach a sewing needle. My next tiny tool to add would be to grind a sewing needle into more of a chisel tip to avoid the accidental punctures (I made a few on this one, but was able to cover them up). I also grind my needles to a chisel point rather than a rounded point for this reason. It makes a big difference. 1 Regards, Kris Global Paleo Services, LLC https://globalpaleoservices.com http://instagram.com/globalpaleoservices http://instagram.com/kris.howe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 2 hours ago, Ptychodus04 said: I also grind my needles to a chisel point rather than a rounded point for this reason. It makes a big difference. Nice work, nice bug. I have about a half dozen or more needles sharpened to different shapes, points, chisels, extra skinny, of both sewing pins and carbide rod. They all have their place in microscope work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwigia Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Very nice job Kane! Once you get your COMCO you can finish off the job Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger http://www.steinkern.de/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Nice bug and prep. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolmt Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Cute bug... maybe we get to see it in person on Friday........ or knowing our luck lately maybe not..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted March 31, 2018 Author Share Posted March 31, 2018 2 hours ago, Malcolmt said: Cute bug... maybe we get to see it in person on Friday........ or knowing our luck lately maybe not..... It's quite frustrating... They're calling for snow, rain, and 4 C on Friday. May be just as well as I'll be celebrating my birthday on the Thursday and unlikely to be getting up early the next morning. For now it looks like we are stuck in the weather loop between winter and spring. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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