What air abrasive tools do i need ?

[Denis Arcand]

I'm interested in purchasing air abrasive tools for preparing small fossils, such as brachiopods, crinoid ossicles, and bivalves found in shale and sandstone. Most of these fossils are already partially prepared, but I would like to give them a finishing touch.

 

What specific tools and accessories should I consider for my needs?

 

some time it's only small prep here and there, here examples of fossils i would like to prep with an air abrasive tool:

 

[Ludwigia]

I won't go into much detail, since you could spend some time perusing the fossil prep section here, but I just wanted to say that if you want to do some serious air abrading, then besides an abrader itself, you'll be needing a strong compressor with soundproofing, a heavy duty vacuum, water filters, lots of pipe and a good cabinet among other things. But maybe someone else could offer you a simpler solution of which I'm not aware.

[Denis Arcand]

3 minutes ago, Ludwigia said:

I won't go into much detail, since you could spend some time perusing the fossil prep section here, but I just wanted to say that if you want to do some serious air abrading, then besides an abrader itself, you'll be needing a strong compressor with soundproofing, a heavy duty vacuum, water filters, lots of pipe and a good cabinet among other things. But maybe someone else could offer you a simpler solution of which I'm not aware.

even for retouching small fossils as I have shown 

[Ludwigia]

6 minutes ago, Denis Arcand said:

even for retouching small fossils as I have shown 

Air abrading tools need a lot of power to the best of my knowledge, and I've been abrading fossils for years, but like I already said, maybe someone can come up with a simple solution for you.

[Denis Arcand]

28 minutes ago, Ludwigia said:

Air abrading tools need a lot of power to the best of my knowledge, and I've been abrading fossils for years, but like I already said, maybe someone can come up with a simple solution for you.

 

I was thinking about using an air abrasion tool, similar to what dentists use. What I need is a very fine nozzle, to do delicate work, that doesn’t require much air compression. I’m considering prepping outside and speed isn’t an issue for me—this is just a hobby

Edited October 6, 2024 by Denis Arcand

[Ludwigia]

9 minutes ago, Denis Arcand said:

 

I was thinking about using an air abrasion tool, similar to what dentists use. What I need is a very fine nozzle, to do fine work, that doesn’t require much air compression. I’m considering prepping outside and speed isn’t an issue for me—this is just a hobby

Then all I can say is good luck. I'm not familiar with such dentist tools. Does it require filters to keep the compressed air humidity from blocking things up? You would need a compressor at any rate and would have to find out how strong it would need to be.

I'm going off the air now, so I wish you a good night.

[hadrosauridae]

2 hours ago, Denis Arcand said:

 

I was thinking about using an air abrasion tool, similar to what dentists use. What I need is a very fine nozzle, to do delicate work, that doesn’t require much air compression. I’m considering prepping outside and speed isn’t an issue for me—this is just a hobby

 

Ludwigia is 100% correct.  Air abrasion is the most expensive step in fossil prep. You have to have a compressor capable of putting out a lot more air than the tool requirement or it will run non-stop and likely burn out very early.  After the compressor you have to have multiple dryer elements to remove ALL moisture, otherwise it will clump and clog.    Now that you have plenty of clean air, you have to have an air blaster to deliver the media.  The Vaniman unit is about the cheapest way get into blasting as a starter.   If you are going to prep outside, you will still need a good HEPA respirator.  Breathing rock dust is very bad.  You're still probably going to be $1000 in to get set up.

[Denis Arcand]

Thanks @hadrosauridae, @Ludwigia for  the informations, I only need the bare minimum to touch up some fossils that don't require much prep work. I was wondering what the smallest nozzle and compressor available is?. I assume the smaller the nozzle, the less air escapes and therefore the smaller the compressor. The Vaniman unit you mentioned looks good to me. In your rough estimate, what does the $1000 include? Does it also cover the compressor?

Edited October 7, 2024 by Denis Arcand

[jpc]

I have to agree with the other two folks here.  There is really no such thing as a small air abrasive set-up.  The machines we use were invented in the middle of last century by dentists, so really we are using dental machines. OK, they have been seriously fine tuned for fossiling.

 

Yes, the 1000 includes a compressor, and all that was mentioned in the earlier reply. If you do get set up, remember to practice on broken samples from each fossil site.  Every site (and every specimen) is different.    

[Denis Arcand]

16 minutes ago, jpc said:

If you do get set up, remember to practice on broken samples from each fossil site.  Every site (and every specimen) is different.    

 

Thanks for the tip 

[Denis Arcand]

Thank you all for your help. I understand that what I'm looking for doesn’t exist, and I need to budget at least $1,000 out of my pocket to get setup.

 

Now comes the hard part: I need to talk to my wife 

[jpc]

16 hours ago, Denis Arcand said:

Thank you all for your help. I understand that what I'm looking for doesn’t exist, and I need to budget at least $1,000 out of my pocket to get setup.

 

Now comes the hard part: I need to talk to my wife 

My wife just did the same to me... she wanted to spend some money on something in her field of interest.  I OKed it, because at some point I will need her blessing for my expenses.  : )

[Ptychodus04]

On 10/7/2024 at 12:15 PM, jpc said:

My wife just did the same to me... she wanted to spend some money on something in her field of interest.  I OKed it, because at some point I will need her blessing for my expenses.  : )

 

I cut out the middle man and started my business. Now, it's a business expense and doesn't pertain to Her Majesty's royal coffers therefore, no permissions needed. As long as the business periodically funds family related things, everyone is happy. 

 

@Denis Arcand Check out Vaniman's website. Their stuff is pretty good for the cheap end of the cost spectrum.

[AkerCS]

Hi everyone, I set up a cheap sandblasting preparation system a while ago. It can't be compared to a professional system, but for small fossils, it works for me.
It's basically an airbrush, like the ones used for painting, but specifically for use with sand. You also need a compressor and a hermetic cabinet.

 

The list of items I personally use is this:
- Compressor with air tank Fengda AS-186 (100$).
- Sandblasting Sand Aluminium oxyde Fengda BD-60, 1 KG (30$).
- Sandblaster airbrush Fengda BD-178 (30-50$).
- Sandblasting cabinet (I don't know the brand, 100-200$).

 

As you can see, it can be obtained for a fairly low price. Some people even make the hermetic cabinet themselves (although I don't recommend it). The sand is reusable, once it is filtered.

 

This system has several drawbacks:
- It doesn't have a lot of power, but it's good for cleaning details and thin layers of rock.
- The compressor has little capacity and the motor is constantly running, so after a while, it gets hot.
- The airbrush tank is small and you have to refill it constantly.
- Sometimes the airbrush nozzle gets clogged, I solve this with a needle that I keep inside the cabin.

 

I also want to remember that aluminum oxide powder is harmful. It is recommended to use a mask and if possible work outside. Maybe it works well with bicarbonate powder, something I haven't tried.

 

Finally, I'll put some photos of preparations I made with this system. I'm currently working on the oviraptor egg, it's an arduous task, which is taking me a lot of time, but it will be worth it.

Edited October 9, 2024 by AkerCS

[jpc]

NIce work.  You should try baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).  It is mush gentler on the fossils than Al2O3.  It is a good idea to have several different powders in your lab for different fossils/matrix.  

 

 

[AkerCS]

1 hour ago, jpc said:

NIce work.  You should try baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).  It is mush gentler on the fossils than Al2O3.  It is a good idea to have several different powders in your lab for different fossils/matrix.  

 

 

 

Yes, it is something I have pending, as you say it has a lower hardness on the Mohs scale. It would be interesting. Thanks for the recommendation.

[jpc]

I, personally, never use Al2O3.  Dolomite and sodium bicarb are my powders of choice. 

[crinus]

I have used powdered limestone for most of my prepping career. Recently I have switched to AL2O3 on the recommendation of the individual that preps all those magnificent crinoids from Montana and Idaho.  The prep work on those is top rate.  He told me that AL2O3 works well because it flows better that limestone or dolomite.  He uses it at a pressure setting of 10-20 psi.  I have tried it and it does do a great job.  

Also recently I have tried powdered iron pellets.  This recommendation come from the people at Fossil Butte National Monument.  It is how they prep all their fossils. I got a personal tour of the back room and he showed me how they prep fossils with iron pellets.  I tried it on some Lake Gousite fish and it sucked.  I had some Fossil Lake fish and it did do a magnificent job. I cleaned several fish and all came out great.  It did not affect the natural sheen of the fish and no coating was necessary afterwards. Highly recommend this for Fossil Lake fish.  I then tried it on other fossils.  It only works on soft shales.  Any hard rock, limestone, and it does not touch it.  I tried it on Silica Shale and it worked great.  Tried it on Arkona Shale and also worked great.  Tried it on Paulding trilobites and that was a no go. I would highly recommend this if you have a soft shale.  The iron pellets do not touch anything hard and just bounce off. This is probably why it does not affect the natural sheen of the fossil.  I cleaned a plate of Arkona crinoids and they came out great.  My problem is switching back and forth. Almost need two set ups for each powder.  Cleanup with the iron is easy.  Put magnet in a plastic bag and run it over the pellets and all gets picked up.  You still have to screen it to reuse.

Joe

[trilobites_are_awesome]

23 hours ago, AkerCS said:

- Sandblasting cabinet (I don't know the brand, 100-200$)

Make your own for half that.