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Showing results for tags 'freeze/thaw'.
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Hi all! I have a few questions from the massive amount of new info I’ve learned on here since I started collecting 3/124 at pit 11. I’d went just one time before w my dad back in probably 1982 or so, I have visions of just concretions everywhere, and hammering lots of random rocks, it’s always been a great memory in my mind. It’s been along time, and it’s juuuuust a bit harder to collect now, but I don’t mind the army crawl in the woods, and my 16 year old loves rocks and fossils, she’s having a blast with me. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel in the freeze/thaw method or anything but I see a few different methods mentioned on here and had a question. I’ve been soaking them in single file layers in several trays(for 2 full weeks before I start the freeze), then removing the tray and draining all the water and then it goes right into the freezer. A few hours later I remove from the freezer and the tray goes right back into the water to thaw, and I rotate a new set into the freezer. 5 trays in the freezer- A set in the water It’s a lot quicker this way and I can get several cycles a day. I can’t imagine the concretion loses any water in the brief time it takes for the outer shell to freeze - but I’d prefer to ask the question instead of assuming! So for you long time Mazon masters, is this ok? Also - ok let’s say your out collecting, you find an open concretion that is obviously something more rare, not an Essexella, but it’s covered in deposits. Or one pops in freeze thaw and it is also covered in deposits. Do you just do the 25% vinegar and gently brush with cotton or something soft? I’m pretty sure I’m being too rough on some of these and am removing the remaining fauna fossil material. I’ve searched and I can’t find much detailed description on prepping anything from Mazon Creek, just bone fossils, trilobites and shale fossils etc. Anyone here have a YouTube channel where they prep/clean Mazon concretions or a book to recommend? Lastly - I had an idea to ask “Take it or Leave It?” I’ve collected a lot of smaller concretions that have more of what looks like sediment layers, and are not the perfect looking concretions. The first freeze thaw has turned lots of these to mush/pieces. To the long time hunters - would you have left these? 1 2 3 - both sides 4 Thanks for taking the time to read all that! Patrick
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- concretions
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Hi All! I have a lot of concretions soaking for freeze thaw, but while I wait I have a few of the open ones I found that were pretty covered in mineral deposits, that are now cleaned. I know most are probably not ID-able, but I would love help with some identification if possible! This first one is my favorite - the might be a molt or badly preserved animal but there are some clear abnormalities that I hope can get me an ID or at least narrowed down to some guesses? Mainly the 4 antennae or possibly tails (like in a mayfly) - they are only visible from certain angles, and in some of the pics, so my kiddo added drawings along the tails/antennae in one image - they run clear out of the edge of the concretion. Also an area that looks like wings or legs. #1 2 3 4 - both sides 5 - I wish this was a fish - I doubt it is or can even be ID’d but my daughter can make any of my badly preserved fossils look like fish on her phone editor - it’s pretty amusing actually. The center has signs of a skeleton or maybe plated carapace, hard to capture in pictures. Here is the fossil and one w w her artistic additions 6 - the problematic H? 7 - bark? 8 - more bark? 9 10 11 - I lost the other half to this one - I forgot to zip up my backpack while army crawling in pit 11. And I think I messed up the vinegar soak and ruined some details. 12 - I can not get a good picture of this. The animal looks to have been smooshed like a T along a ridge right in the middle, it was covered in deposits. The really looks like what I saw in RCfossils gallery and Google images - Gilpichthys greenei - I can 100% see the shape, just no details. 13-Lastly this large concretion that looks so odd. The edges were broken off both sides so perfectly before it opened at some point it almost looks cut. This little chicken neck looking thing is all that is there. Thanks in advance! Patrick
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Hello fossil hunters! I am asking for some help as a humble beginner. Yesterday I went out with my son (age 14) to a site just south of Braidwood, IL. We were collecting near Ponderosa Lake, to be more precise. This is our second trip out there. The first time we really had no idea what we were looking for, but now we are getting a little more experienced after reading a lot and digging around. In total we found around 60 intact (good shape, in my unprofessional view) concretions, as well as some interesting fragments. We had a nice time collecting yesterday in the cold. We were the only people out there. Maybe we are crazy! I am requesting help with an identification, and some general advice on how to best tackle opening the pile of concretions we found. First, this was one found awhile back and I believe it is similar to a find that connorp found: Macroneuropteris pinnule (see thread below) Secondly, we found some concretions that were already open. I just grabbed a few to have here since I have read that sometimes they contain jellyfish. I cannot determine anything by looking at these. Does anyone have an opinion on these? The coin is about 20mm in diameter for reference. Finally, I have read about the freeze/thaw method as well as using a hammer to crack them open. I will start out using the freeze thaw method. I separated them into groups of concretions that I though were good. The picture below shows them laid out on some paper towels in the kitchen. I just washed them off and am waiting to start the opening process. I have a few questions around both methods: Freeze/Thaw 1. I am going to keep them outside in a bucket in water for 20 days. Then I will start freezing them. How long do I need to keep them in the freezer? Also, once I take them out, do I just run hot water on them, or do I let it thaw in room temperature? Once I have determined if any have opened, do I need to re-soak the concretions again? or, just straight back in the freezer? Hammer 2. Does anyone have a good video of how to use a hammer on these things? I tried it on a few I had before and it was a disaster. I might be using the wrong hammer. I might need a chisel, too? I might not be hitting in the correct spot? This might seem basic to you pros, but I am really an amateur.
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Hi All, I picked up a lot of Mazon Creek nodules recently. Tried the freeze/thaw technique and have probably gone through at least 10 or 12 cycles with that. Nothing has popped open but flakes continue to come off of the outside of the nodules. On 1 of the small nodules (1.5 in x .75 inch) enough pieces have flaked off on one end to show what looks like a plant fossil, maybe a fern type plant. Looks like it runs the entire length of the nodule. Is there something else I should try to get this cleaned up or just continue the freeze thaw thing? Thanks Eric
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- freeze/thaw
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I'm currently working with a monster nodule. 14.5 inches around. Had some chipping at the bottom with a small amount on one side. After several freeze/thaws the whole lower section is now exposed from chipping & flaking with the smaller area on the side enlarged as well. Nice off white, almost powdery exterior with a med dark brown interior. I'm hoping there's at least something in it and that the something is larger than a pea. Nodule has this tiny, curious almost nipple like area on top. Anyone have any experience with one this size? Am I possibly wasting my time? There are several hairline cracks showing here & there in the white exterior so far. My biggest problems are that I don't really know how long I should be soaking it, or freezing it or if it needs to be submerged in water while freezing. And of course, if I'm going to make it the whole way or end up whacking it with a hammer. Any helpful suggestions would be nice.
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- chert
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