Paleo Club Starting Tools

[hfxbenoit]

I've started a Paleontology Club in school, and I could use some advice on what tools my students could start with when I take them to a collecting site.

Edited October 23, 2014 by hfxbenoit

[JohnJ]

HERE.

You will find numerous topics that offer the advice you need.

[Herb]

what kind of outcrops/sites will you be taking them to?

[hfxbenoit]

I plan on taking them to road cuts, old quarries, dredge pile, etc. That's what's most common in my state, although I do know of a sifting site in the Pocono Mountains.

[Herb]

masonry hammers with chisel points, some cold chisels if you plan to split shale. Safety glasses, gloves, newspaper to wrap fossils, of aluminum foil if the fossils are small. Cloth grocery bags are great to carry fossils in, and tools .Small first aid kit. Cardboard boxes.

[hfxbenoit]

Great. Thanks for the list. Would regular hammers and flathead screwdriver work in place of masonry hammers and cold chisels?

[Uncle Siphuncle]

you'll soon shatter the handles of screwdrivers with repeated whacking. plus chisel tips tend to be heat treated in a way that holds up better to the abuse than screwdrivers. if you have a harbor freight store nearby, you can find sets of 4 chisels w hand guards at $6 for the whole set. conventional hammers will work in a pinch, but you need a purpose built chisel.

remember to teach people to chisel wide around the fossil, hauling out a little extra matrix with it to minimize breakage afield. i've wrecked some good fossils by chiseling too close to the fossil.

[hfxbenoit]

Ok, danwoehr. Thanks for the tip. I'll look around for some cold chisels.

[RyanNREMTP]

Cloth aprons with pockets work great for them to put stuff in while digging or crawling around.

[erose]

Most Important: Paper and Pens/Pencils! Keeping good notes is the most important thing, especially location info.

Dan is right about not using screwdrivers* as chisels since they will shatter and you end up with shards of sharp plastic. Also wood or fiberglass carpentry hammers will not hold up well when used on rocks. I once had an overzealous 9 year old send a hammer head flying right past my nose! You want rock picks or masonry hammers. The right tool doesn't just make the job easier, it makes it SAFER.

* Screwdrivers are just fine as small pry bars or for digging in loose matrix.

[hfxbenoit]

Thank you all for the awesome input! This info will help me keep my student safe, while having fun and learning.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

i used to scoff at eye protection until i heard little limestone missiles whizzing by my head. not too bad when they catch you in the face (just a little blood), but one in the eye could be a game changer. pretty sobering. at least take some shades.

[squali]

Unfortunately you need a waiver that releases you and your organization from liability in the event someone does get hurt on the trip.

It will not keep you from getting sued but it shows there was an attempt to inform of the possible hazards.

You will probably have to sign site specific waivers from the owners of any fossil sites you visit as well.

[hfxbenoit]

Thanks danwoehr and squali, your information is invaluable. I did plan on sending out permission slips for the trip, since fossil collecting is, in itself, somewhat hazardous.

Edited October 26, 2014 by hfxbenoit

[Herb]

masonry hammers are not that expensive (harbor freight) and have a built in chisel. Metal chisels are hardened steel, wood chisels and screwdrivers are not,

Edited October 26, 2014 by Herb

[Hipockets]

and whistles ! don't know how old they are but kids tend to wander off when there head is down to the ground. Makes it easier to be found.

[hfxbenoit]

@ Hipockets: I don't know about whistles, but I'll think about it. The site that I'm taking them to is fairly small, about 20 to 30 yards. Also, my students are in high school, but its a good suggestion. Thank you, though.

[Triceratops]

Good luck! Be aure to tell us all that happens:-)

[hfxbenoit]

Just a quick question about using screwdrivers as chisels. will they hold up for about four hours of abuse? I don't know anywhere close by that sells cold chisels, so that's my only option.

[tmaier]

I tried using a plastic handled screwdriver once, in a pinch, and it lasted about 10 blows and then the handle shattered in my hand. I think you might be asking for trouble it you use screwdrivers.

[JohnJ]

I tried using a plastic handled screwdriver once, in a pinch, and it lasted about 10 blows and then the handle shattered in my hand. I think you might be asking for trouble it you use screwdrivers.

Agreed. You don't want the liability issues associated with suggesting the use of screwdrivers as chisels.

[Fossildude19]

Just a quick question about using screwdrivers as chisels. will they hold up for about four hours of abuse? I don't know anywhere close by that sells cold chisels, so that's my only option.

A local hardware store or flea market/swap meet/tag sale would be good places to get cold chisels.

Regards,

[hfxbenoit]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll check Tractor Supply Co. next time I head up that way.

Edited October 28, 2014 by hfxbenoit

[rejd]

You are getting lots of great advice here. Make sure to let us know how your outings go and what you find.

[tmaier]

Another "teacher trick" when resources are limited is to pair people up into teams and they share a resource.