My Compressor Blew Up, Thanks Dan Woehr, You Opened My Mind :)

[Nandomas]

Diana found this broken Petalodus while in Texas. The formation was big and heavy, I didn't have the time and the right tools for reducing the stone, because the return flight to Italy was very close...and, more important, I was asking to myself if the tooth was good enough to deserve the famous "free trip to Italy" award.

That evening we had the pleasure of a dinner with Miss Brett, Weston and Dan Woehr.

After dinner conversation:

Dan: Nando, do you need some cutting or reducing work for your fossils?

Nando: Thanks Dan, sadly now is too late, it's dark, I don't think your neighbors will be happy with your compressor noise, and also I have just a broken Petalodus tooth left, it is too delicate for using the air scribe.

Dan: let me try, after all it is a broken tooth. I asked my neighbors, and they don't mind if I use the compressor after dark

DITTO

Dan cut the limestone stone using the air scribe, after that, he did a very careful work around the tooth, uncovering the beautiful root ... so the broken tooth turned out a nice display specimen, ready to jump with us on the airplane.

I would have never expected that an air scribe could make so delicate work in few minutes

Edited November 14, 2012 by Nandomas

[Bullsnake]

Really nice to find a petalodus, and then have Dan work magic on it! Congratulations!

So, how does the tooth like Italy?

[Nandomas]

This story has a sequel: thanks to Dan Woehr I was encouraged to use my 30 years old and noisy 24 liter compressor with my German air scribe I never used due of the noise, and I asked to the condominium-where-I-live manager if I could use the noisy compressor during the daylight hours.

He suggested me to encapsulate and insulate the compressor for reducing the noise. I was checking if the a noise reduction trap was working, when the compressor blew up, forcing me to buy another one that runs so smoothly and so noiseless that I can use it EVERY TIME in my apartment, so finally I am beginning to clean a lot of fossils very seriously. Thanks Dan, without your help I never bought the right compressor ))

Edited November 14, 2012 by Nandomas

[Uncle Siphuncle]

nando you might be able to convincingly composite that root with a good crown... i frankensteined one petalodus together this way last trip and i like it more than the loose partials.

now for everyone's collective enjoyment...can you post that goofy pic of me prepping in the dark???

[erose]

I was in a shop when the drain valve rusted out and blew on a large tank. Man-o-man what a noise! None of us could get out quick enough and our ears kept ringing for hours. I now drain my tank every few weeks.

[Nandomas]

I can do better than photos

Edited November 13, 2012 by Nandomas

[Uncle Siphuncle]

good thing my neighbors love me....the farther away they live, the more they love me....especially on prep nights!

[Foshunter]

Dan----A guy has to do what a guy has to do-----prep for a fossil hunter is the big reveal, like the headlights.

Nando---Sometimes it is best to let the old go and enjoy what the present has to offer, glad the new compressor works for you, and the neighbors are smiling----Tom

[Nandomas]

Really nice to find a petalodus, and then have Dan work magic on it! Congratulations!

So, how does the tooth like Italy?

Steve, the tooth likes to stay here. Just the other day I went with him to the National Archeological Museum in Naples to see the famous Roman fishes mosaic from Pompeii. We both enjoyed the visit

[Nandomas]

My first work with the new compressor

I am sorry i forgot to do the BEFORE photo

[Uncle Siphuncle]

excellent

[Nandomas]

excellent

Thanks Dan, I am still afraid to hit the ammonite center

[Foshunter]

Nando----Isn't it satisfying to take a specimen in the rough to a display piece. The interior whorls of an ammonite can be tricky and delicate to expose, take care and work slow----Tom

[Ludwigia]

Hey Nando,

The old world has passed on (rather abruptly as you described - I love your humor) and a new one is now opening up for you. Have fun with your new toy. It will bring you hours of enjoyment and wonderful surprises. Trust in your dexterity and you'll get those whorls free, although it's questionable if they run completely into the center.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

these days i prep my ammos with a lighter hand than in years past. sometimes tx ammos have a hard plug in the center, and when i disturb it, the ribs are often sheared off or the details look overworked when i'm done. so these days i dont pursue the center of every ammo... saves me time that way too.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

and when i do work to the center, its often only one side so i dont punch a hole thru the cingulum.

[Ludwigia]

and when i do work to the center, its often only one side so i dont punch a hole thru the cingulum.

Right! Just move along the edges carefully a bit at a time. It was great seeing you in action again, Dan!

[Nandomas]

Hey Nando,

The old world has passed on (rather abruptly as you described - I love your humor) ...

Yes... it was abruptly and VERY LOUD :o

[CH4ShotCaller]

Nice prep and fossil! I just bought a new 26 gal compressor and added a coalescing filter to protect the air scribe. It was rated at 115 psi maximum. Last week, was prepping and adjusted the regulator to 95 psi. I keep the compressor around the back of the house and decided to check on the tank. I saw the reg was at 125 psi and I quickly went to throttle down the pressure when suddenly the filter exploded right next to my hand, cutting two fingers.

I've gained some additional respect for keeping an eye on my equipment, periodic inspections and maintenance.

[Nandomas]

... It was great seeing you in action again, Dan!

here we are

[Uncle Siphuncle]

well i'll never make the annual forum calendar, but maybe weston's eopachydiscus in the background will!