Pterygotus Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Hi. I saw this multitask engrave/sander tool for sale. Is this suitable for fossil preparation? Thank you. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Pristis Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 My opinion is that such a rotary tool is an essential device in a preparator's tool box. These tools come in all sorts of configurations, of course. This tool is being offered without the most useful bit, in my experience -- stainless steel brushes. But, these are readily available. Silicone caulk cuts down on the fly-away brush wires in use -- always use eye protection. 12 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tidgy's Dad Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 I'd love to have one of these to supplement my pins. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RJB Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 I have a foredom with all those tools and more, but rarely use it. It really depends on what you plan to work on? RB 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ludwigia Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 35 minutes ago, RJB said: I have a foredom with all those tools and more, but rarely use it. It really depends on what you plan to work on? RB Same with me. I have a proxxon, but sometimes I even forget that I have the thing. Don't really need it for ammonites and that's mostly what I do. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
digit Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 58 minutes ago, Harry Pristis said: Silicone caulk cuts down on the fly-away brush wires in use -- always use eye protection. Great tip. Wouldn't have thought of that great hack. Cheers. -Ken 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steelhead9 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Get a hand held flex shaft to go with it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caldigger Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Harry Pristis said: Silicone caulk cuts down on the fly-away brush wires in use. You just squirt it around the spindle shaft where the bristles attach? I had a brass wire one and it shot out so many bristles everywhere I quite using it. I did have eye protection, but the rest of my face and upper torso wasn't so lucky. This sounds like a great idea! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harry Pristis Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I massage with fingertips a smallish dab of silicone caulk into the bristles for maximum coverage. The cured caulk leaves no mark or residue on the fossil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ptychodus04 Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 18 hours ago, RJB said: I have a foredom with all those tools and more, but rarely use it. It really depends on what you plan to work on? RB I'm in this camp also. I have a pneumatic rotary tool that I use so infrequently that I'm actually unsure of where it is right now. Air scribes, micro-abrasion, and acid are my typical prep methods with a heavy tendency towards scribes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jpc Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I use mine for sharpening dental picks and carbide rods. I also use it for cutting off excess rock but only with small amounts of soft rock. Rarely for actually removing rock from near the specimen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TyBoy Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Use mine just to shape the matrix block but use other tools around the bone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steelhead9 Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 23 hours ago, Harry Pristis said: My opinion is that such a rotary tool is an essential device in a preparator's tool box. These tools come in all sorts of configurations, of course. This tool is being offered without the most useful bit, in my experience -- stainless steel brushes. But, these are readily available. Silicone caulk cuts down on the fly-away brush wires in use -- always use eye protection. Wow! Awesome idea. I go through hundreds of these and I am always pulling pieces of wire out of my skin. Thanks for the tip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
digit Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Yup. Best fossil prep hack I've seen in quite a while. Cheers. -Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DeepTimeIsotopes Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I’ve used my Dremel with the flex shaft on multiple trilobites to get the majority of the matrix out of the way and I’ve buffed some with a buffing pad as well. It’s quite handy for other around the house projects. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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