Tools for Invertebrate Preparation Work

In the Field…

Super thin super glue (permanent hold for dry matrix)
Diluted White glue (temporary hold or for wet matrix)
Newspaper (Protection and slow down evaporation)
Aluminum foil (Protection, holds fossil in specific shape, slow evaporation)
Boxes, "flats"
Diamond Blade concrete cutoff saw with full safety equipment (cut to transport size)

In the Lab…

Diamond blade wet saws (cut to display size)
Assortment of glues and adhesives
Pin vise, dental tools
Toothbrush (only for solid fossils, usually surface collected)
Pneumatic Air Hammers (matrix removal)
- ARO good for fine work
- Chicago good for rough work
- Engraving tool will work, no air compressor needed
Air Abrasive machines
- Crystal Mark Swamblaster
- SS White
- Air Eraser will work, no air compressor needed
Air Abrasive Powders: Dolomite, Limestone, Aluminum Oxide, Baking Soda
Grinder (For finishing matrix work and matrix removal with no vibration)
Dremel, Fordham
Chemical preparation
- Quantonary-O (removes shale, for solid fossils only, no longer made)
- Other Industrial Detergents work to varying degrees
- Acids - Acetic acid, Muriatic acid (for matrix containing silicified fossils only)
- Bases - KOH (matrix softening, may damage fossils)
Finish Fossil with coating to hold true color.
- Soft soap, Krylon greatly diluted in Acetone, clear shoe polish