Stepping it up a little - a new beginner prep area

[6ix]

I have been very lucky to have visited and had some mentoring from one of NZ, if not Australasias best fossil preppers.  Taking some example from him, I have built a small dedicated prep table.  No more smashing stuff on my workshop bench in the dark..

 

@Waimanu 1 are you still about in the forum?  They need to see more of your work!

 

Anyway, I suspect this will be a good year..  An old computer desk that had fallen to bits, and a dish washer that supplied the nice white sides.  3x $7NZD led strips from China and an old computer power supply.  I have still to add the main overhead light but this is already 10x better than what I was struggling with..  

 

I was worried when I planned it that the led strips would be overpowering but when you are looking the victim in the middle, you appreciate the lack of shadow.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2018 by 6ix
cant delete sideways photos

[6ix]

Have added another fan in the top to give some down draft...  this prep table is an awesome work in progress but the big thing - I just spent 30 minutes on that poor little victim in the middle - my motivation is coming back!!

 

[Ludwigia]

Off we go! Looks quite cosy

[Ptychodus04]

Very nice @6ix. I can’t agree more that the lack of shadows makes a huge difference in a work area!

[6ix]

This little effort has really upped my mojo - I'm adding fans everywhere (I work with computers so have a good supply of 12v fans)

 

I have 4x 6w 12v downlights arriving tomorrow to replace the 50w halogen I was using.

 

Spent some time on a crab that was nasty, but with the new setup and using magnifiers that "Al" put me on to I had another go.  Have removed a heap of material but still its sticky as so will end up in my rock pile.  Time for another one from the rainy day pile.

 

 

[ynot]

[6ix]

Okay, more rejects I had tried hard on this one but it just fractures, the stone itself is splintering and I have no Idea how to work it..  All that gunk on the top is superglue but that did nothing.

[6ix]

This is my next one, another yellow stone one, I think this time I'll just go as deep as the hard grey and leave it there instead of going for the whole crab

 

[6ix]

Ps anyone know how to get the knib of the Chicago Pneumatic 710?   Its as stuck as heck.

 

[6ix]

New bulbs have arrived - the whole system is powered by a computer power supply and LED bulbs..  I think anyone who has prepped using a head torch and a 50w tungsten can see the difference.

 

Can anyone confirm my orientation on this crab?  I think I'm holding it carapace up - I had always thought I could pick it by the leg indent pattern, but I'm not 100% on this feller yet..

[6ix]

Bit more work... beautiful soft rock on the outside.... but we all know how that ends up...

 

 

 

[Fossilis Willis]

I have absolutely no experience with the crab concs from NZ (although I would very much like to get a hold of some) but I think a sharper and possibly a longer stylus might serve you well. My scribe came with an engraving tip that didn't work well for fossil prep, but replacing the stylus made a world of difference.

[6ix]

Oh yeah, I have been teased with some nice hardware... spent some time with a world class prepper - and he convinced me to have a little tickle with his gear, lets just say I am using the best I can... but I know how high the bar is  

[RJB]

Dont know how I missed this thread?  But hey 6ix, looks like youve got lots of concs to choose from.  By any chance do you sell any of your rejects?  I may be interested in some of those.  and keep up the good work.  Looks like fun.

 

RB

[Fossilis Willis]

On 5/18/2019 at 5:33 AM, RJB said:

Dont know how I missed this thread?  But hey 6ix, looks like youve got lots of concs to choose from.  By any chance do you sell any of your rejects?  I may be interested in some of those.  and keep up the good work.  Looks like fun.

 

RB

I would like to make a suggestion that could benefit not only the two of you, but all of us who enjoy a good crab prep. It seems to me that I remember RJB posting in the past about having a plethora of scribes. Maybe if he could part with one that he doesn't use, 6ix could send some crab action his way. Win win. Just an idea. 

[Fossil-Hound]

22 hours ago, Fossilis Willis said:

I would like to make a suggestion that could benefit not only the two of you, but all of us who enjoy a good crab prep. It seems to me that I remember RJB posting in the past about having a plethora of scribes. Maybe if he could part with one that he doesn't use, 6ix could send some crab action his way. Win win. Just an idea. 

Yeah but those scribes are worth $600 each. lol

[6ix]

Nice idea  -  but I'm just having fun plugging away with what I have..  I have 3 or 4 difficult buggers that I am swapping between as motivation and experience slowly come up...  

 

I'm just into this as a hobby, not for profit and anything interesting goes to the Canterbury Museum anyway...

 

I love them so much I cant think of losing them after spending so many hours making mistakes and taking the small wins.  So much nicer to know that "I" did it.

 

Is it okay if I just post my crabby updates here instead of creating dedicated threads that only rarely get updated?

[6ix]

I've hit it withe the grinder again,....

 

[6ix]

Crabby cellphone update... another hour on this beast.  I really originally planned just keeping to the soft yellow but I just cant help myself...

 

 

 

And another photo after another hour... Its worse than playing hide and go seek with a sloth!

 

[6ix]

Time for a restock - Off we go!  Of course the kids are racing us down..

 

I actually think the rest of the family have better ones than me!  I'll post their photos separately...

 

Heres a great little in-situ one about 15cm (6") in diameter..

 

My 35Kg load, the rest of the familys ones I'll post later..

 

 

[RJB]

  Absolutely love seeing these pics.  The insitu one I like the best.  First picture is cool too.  Ive been down that road before about 10 years ago.  Would love to do that again, but now could not even make it down let alone back up.  Keep posting your prep post.  Love seeing those. 

 

RB

[jpc]

On 5/18/2019 at 3:56 AM, Fossilis Willis said:

I have absolutely no experience with the crab concs from NZ (although I would very much like to get a hold of some) but I think a sharper and possibly a longer stylus might serve you well. My scribe came with an engraving tip that didn't work well for fossil prep, but replacing the stylus made a world of difference.

This was my initial reaction to your pix as well.  Sharper, longer tip and how about of Kiwi Lager instead of the Ozzie stuff?  (He says wondering if this will change the direction of the discussion). 

 

If your tip were sharper, you might have less of those dings from the airscribe on the carapace.  Are you using any magnification?  A Optivisor is an affordable non-microscope tool.    

 

Are those little flat crab nodules also from Glen Afric?

 

Having said all that.. nice crabs.  Keep up the good work.  

 

[jpc]

3 hours ago, RJB said:

  Absolutely love seeing these pics.  The insitu one I like the best.  First picture is cool too.  Ive been down that road before about 10 years ago.  Would love to do that again, but now could not even make it down let alone back up.  Keep posting your prep post.  Love seeing those. 

 

RB

Ha!  I walked that road in 1989.  Wow!

[Fossilis Willis]

 Looks like you had a good day at the beach. I have always wanted to visit New Zealand. I'm hoping the family and I will be able make out that way for Christmas in 2020. I always wanted a sunburn for Christmas. Maybe if I'm real good between now and then, Santa will leave me a little something on the beach (crab concretions, not a sunburn).

[6ix]

LOL Christmas sunburn, beer and camping - Love it!

 

@jpc - The scribe I'm using doesnt come with upgraded tips, but I have an uncle who is an engineer, I'm going to send him a tip & see if he can replicate it but make it longer using a tungsten drill bit... 

 

@RJB Its a beautiful spot ay?  bit of a back breaker tho   That insitu one is my favourite, nice clear legs on each side....

 

Here's the pile with the kids finds as well..