7 Techniques for Cleaning Fossils

Dr. Tony Swinehart from Hillsdale College explains several techniques for prepping fossils. I learned so much while filming this video and I think you will to.
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[@davidhile5363]

That video gives you a whole new appreciation for the fossils that you see in the museums. I can only imagine the amount of hours that it takes to clean up a large fossil. I would love to have one of those microscopes, that would be great for checking out rocks. A big thank you to Dr. Tony from putting on this demonstration ! And thank you Rob for making this video for us. That was a pretty good drive from your part of the state !

[@MichiganRocks]

It was only an hour and a half from my daughter's house, though. Well worth the drive.

[@berjo77]

Wow, Rob the Rockman and The Doctor (Sweinhart) of Bones in one production! What a treat! Good job.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@charlagansen4565]

I’m 64 years old and I just started tumbling rocks. Thank you for making your videos. I am learning so much. I’m on step 3 of my first tumbling batch and I feel confident after watching your videos that they will turn out great.

[@MichiganRocks]

That's great, I hope they turn out super shiny!

[@salliemorrill2671]

Rob, that was a fascinating discussion. I never knew there was such a thing as fossil prep. More, please? I'm sure that Nancy enjoyed the toothbrush banter. Thank you so much for sharing this information. Really enjoyed listening to Tony. God bless.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't think Nancy has watched it yet. There's been football on all day today. She watches football while I make videos.

[@pattypaine]

Dr. Swinehart's expertise, combined with your curiosity and great questions, made for an enlightening and fascinating video. Thanks so much!

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richardsigman3776]

Yeah! I’m having fun, too! This was great and so interesting! I learn so many things when I watch your channel. I, too, am from Northern Indiana! Joy S.

[@markreetz1001]

Quite the lecture. I learned a lot about fossils!

[@MichiganRocks]

Me too!

[@MrEScience]

This was so darn interesting! I could listen to him talk all day. Great guest and great video as always! I recommend a visit to the agate center in Moose Lake MN.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have been through Moose Lake, but I didn't realize there was a museum. Maybe next time I'm there, I'll check it out.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Thank you! I didn’t know we had any dinosaurs in Michigan! Exciting stuff imo

[@MichiganRocks]

The dinosaurs didn't come from Michigan. We do have mastodons here, though.

[@kariannecrysler640]

@@MichiganRocks I caught that part, but the only other dinosaur on display I knew of was in Lansing I believe. It was 30 years ago lol

[@user-bu6lv8qp1h]

That was so interesting to watch the process of Dr. Tony patiently preparing fossils for display. I was lucky enough to stumble upon some vertebrae and other smaller bones from an Ichthyosaur (Temnodontosaurus) at Lyme Regis in Dorset a few years ago - still safe inside the limestone matrix. Maybe I'll be brave and have a go ... I really appreciate the effort that you put into all of your videos, Rob - I'm really learning a lot here in the UK - thank you!

[@MichiganRocks]

I picked up a few fossils the other day that I might give my couple tools a try on. Tony got me enthused about fossil prep when he did that trilobite for Sam.

[@margaretlynch1494]

🙋‍♀️❤️ This was a wonderful segment! Very interesting. Nice surprise!

[@deniseview4253]

Thank you Tony for the tour. Thank you Rob for a very interesting video. Got my attention.

[@MichiganRocks]

I really enjoyed my day with Tony. I learned a lot.

[@maisiefreeman8597]

Fascinating!

[@chitraprabakaran2144]

Educational video. Learned something new. Thanks Rob for the opportunity.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome, although Tony did most of the hard part. I just held the camera. Thanks Tony!

[@kirsiselei8703]

Thx for"behind scene" video.intresting to c how much work is to be done before fossiles are clear.waiting for the next one👍❤

[@MichiganRocks]

I learned so much that day. I think you'll like the next one too.

[@Mike-br8vb]

Great video, lots of good info. Thanks!

[@joseywilds3133]

Best video you have done so far and your videos all rock, keep up the great work!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

That might have something to do with me not being in it too much! Tony did a great job.

[@sharonandbillgenschaw9362]

Excellent, excellent! This was so interesting and informative. What a great teacher!

[@MichiganRocks]

He sure is, I learned stuff all day long.

[@largent45]

Wow! He was very interesting and very informative and just full of great info and I love fossils! How I would have loved to be on one of the digs that found those fossil dinos and even to only ever find a single bone! That would have held me over for the rest of my life, as the best thing ever to happen to me! Thanks Rob! And Dr Swinehart, for all of your great information!

[@MichiganRocks]

I think finding a dinosaur would not satisfy me. I think it would just make me want to find more.

[@tinkerbellblue5142]

Cool stuff, thanks Rob and Dr Tony 😊

[@daydbaysinger4572]

Hey Rob it's been awhile!! I'm sure you don't remember me but I've been watching your videos for years and years keep doing what you're doing!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

It has been awhile, thanks for stopping by!

[@lisawells1064]

WOW, Hillsdale!!! Cool!!!😊

[@darkwood777]

Very nice museum and a nice lab space. Sam's trilobite fossil turned out well. I spend a lot of time over at the Mamlambo channel and it is amazing watching him prep fossils.

[@MichiganRocks]

I've watched a few of his videos too. It is fascinating, especially at the incredibly fast speeds he shows his work at. At actual speed, it probably takes a bit more patience.

[@markattardo]

Awesome information! The demonstrations were great too.

[@janehelbert7551]

Hello Dr. We are from the same neck of the woods.

[@debralane7408]

Rob, that was way cool I can see myself prepping a fossil because I’m really patient

[@MichiganRocks]

You'd have to be. I could see it being a relaxing activity while listening to a podcast or some music.

[@powerlinekid4296]

Cool stuff. I have found fossilized fish/amphibian eggs while rock hounding, and luckily the matrix was easy to remove.

[@MichiganRocks]

How did you identify that? I have never heard of fossilized fish eggs and wouldn't recognize them if I found them.

[@powerlinekid4296]

@@MichiganRocks I found some kind fossilized mud with some shell impressions on the outside of the rock. I figured that there might be better shells inside so I split the rock, and inside was cluster of tiny round balls, at least 30, that look much like present day frog eggs or fish roe. I'm not a scientist, so they could be something else.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@powerlinekid4296Sounds like an interesting find, whatever it was. I haven't seen anything like that.

[@cynthiafoss8086]

Well done, I enjoyed this greatly. Looking forward to part 2

[@MichiganRocks]

I plan to post a different kind of video in between. It might be two or three weeks before the next video with Tony.

[@soul_adventurist]

Very interesting! Thanks for educating us❤

[@chrismadaj8751]

Thank you for all the great information I appreciate it GODSPEED

[@BlueSteelRabbit]

Woo-hoo another video 😮

[@txwaterbird6115]

I've wanted to learn more about fossil prep for several years. I can only salivate over the multitude of tools of the trade. I can't dig a hole to plant a flower in my yard without pulling out a devil's toenail. Apparently there were many varieties of these ancient oysters, and I would love to see the details that can be exposed by the preparation process. Very delicate. And then we have the ammonites that are easily 12 - 16 inches across. I've been known to take my handy-dandy dremel to those. How I would love to know more about "what lies beneath". Thank you so much for this vid. I'll anxiously await your fossil identification video.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have the fossil identification video pretty much ready to go, but I have a few seasonal videos I want to get up first. I’d like to get the fall rock hunts published before fall is over. Theo Kellison taught me how to dip devil’s toenails in acid for just a few seconds and they came out really cool. That was with Montana toenails, so I don’t know if it would work the same with yours. You can see what he taught me in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqa0Y5qNm9-bbM0

[@tott3457]

That was very informative!🙏🏼

[@lindam3801]

Great video. Thanks so much. Looking forward to the next one on identifying fossils.

[@MichiganRocks]

That one won't be next week, but maybe the next week. It's really good too.

[@lindam3801]

@@MichiganRocks Thanks for the clarification. Will be watching for it for sure. I love fossils. 😊

[@alienprepper5918]

Well done..very interesting too.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

👁👁 Happy to drop by … Always a pleasure to join you on all your interesting adventures…

[@katiedid713926]

What an interesting, informative entertaining video. Thanks, Rob

[@MichiganRocks]

No, thanks Tony. I was just holding the camera.

[@katiedid713926]

Thanks, Tony. But thank you, Rob, for sharing him with us. 🙂

[@TinaHyde]

Dr. Swinehart, I’d like to volunteer myself to finish up that Green River Formation fish for you! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Holy mackerel, does that look fun!!🐟

[@MichiganRocks]

The nice thing is, I don't think most of this equipment is very expensive, other than perhaps the proper safety venting equipment for using chemicals safely. You could probably pretty easily get into this yourself if you wanted to.

[@TinaHyde]

@@MichiganRocks I’ve had a pneumatic scribe on my wish list for a while now (along with the pin pointer MeMiner uses) but after watching this video, I’m glad I never bought it! I would have blasted the crap outta any fossil I’d try to extract! 😂 Now I know all I really need is one of those needle-y things! 💉

[@MichiganRocks]

@@TinaHyde I just bought one. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I could see Sam beating me to it.

[@TinaHyde]

@@MichiganRocks How lucky are you to have a neighbor that’s passionate about the same pastime as you and joins you on your adventures? Great kid. Damn shame he always kinds the killer agates before you, though. 😄

[@MichiganRocks]

@@TinaHyde At least I'm along to see them when he finds them.

[@Indyanas_ocean_view]

Amazing! All those fossils were really cool. 😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MichiganRocks]

I have another one coming one of these days with a lot more fossils.

[@googleuser859]

Another great video! If you're ever in the UK and want to find some beautiful marine fossils (mainly ammonites) I'd be happy to take you out.

[@MichiganRocks]

That's a generous offer, but I doubt I'll be there anytime soon. Sure would be fun, though.

[@freelancing_101]

Best channel ever

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@Smallathe]

Awesome! Thank you both for the wonderful tour and explanation!!!

[@kathywiseman7944]

I have a few smaller fossils I picked up in Lake Erie. I hadn't thought about exposing more than what is already showing. I'll have to rethink that. 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

I have always just kept fossils as I found them, but I'm rethinking that too.

[@outdoorstudios2022]

Thanks for sharing!

[@IvanLopez-zh3xz]

Great episode!!!!!

[@MarkAllenNorCal]

Nice. I learned.

[@johnparrish336]

Interesting. Great video.

[@sharonbaxter9233]

awesome video , love learning new things 👍

[@jonathanyoung7785]

If you're ever back at Hillsdale college you should give us a tour of the museum. Furthermore, I think Dr. Swinehart needs a Michigan Rocks t-shirt for any future videos...

[@MichiganRocks]

I wonder if I could get a Michigan Rocks lab coat made?

[@jonathanyoung7785]

If only you had a machine that could "print" designs onto fabric. @@MichiganRocks

[@adam7402]

Hey, I'm from Northern Indiana!

[@MichiganRocks]

Hey!

[@Amanda-ws9zl]

Awesome video. Watched then watched again. Very interesting and so cool. Thanks for all your videos.

[@MichiganRocks]

There will be a second one with Dr. Tony tomorrow night.

[@ktlivingherway516]

Great video 🤙🏼💚🏵️

[@teeteepalooza]

very cool! def takes patience!

[@MichiganRocks]

Yep, one of these days, I might try a simple prep myself. I have a couple of the basic tools (more than just Nancy's toothbrush).

[@teeteepalooza]

@@MichiganRocks yeah that one got me 😄

[@cinciao5692]

Awesome video! I have ruined many fossils by dumping them in diluted muriatic acid and EVERYTHING dissolved lol! Good to know the different ways to prep beside using acid! Thank you both for a very educational video!

[@MichiganRocks]

The only thing I have used that with is chain coral. I tried a couple others with the same results you had.

[@80sunshine21]

Very interesting! Thank you. S

[@MichiganRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

That’s cool!

[@josephpotterf9459]

thanks

[@FjHenderson]

Close to home. I don't know if they have the mastodon bones they found in the center of the county.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know either, but we went to the U of M Natural History museum two days later and saw a couple mastodon skeletons.

[@Hugh-Janis]

Hey Rob! I’m new to rock tumbling I’ve done about two batches of rocks. Both seem to be lackluster.I’ve done all the tips for beginners that you have stated.I think it’s the tumbler,it’s the Stem rock tumbler and it seems to jam and break quite easily. So I was wondering what tumbler would you recommend me to buy for under 75$?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't have a recommendation for under $75. If I was you, I'd save up a little longer and get a Lortone 3A.

[@Hugh-Janis]

@@MichiganRocks Ok thanks for the recommendation!

[@RickGorczynski]

Hello Rob-another informative video-thank you! I've been tumbling now for just over one year, following your methods and suggestions. I've learned the importance of the first stage in the rotary. But I have some questions for you. Is this the best forum to ask them? Thank you.

[@MichiganRocks]

You can ask here, but it might make more sense to do it on a video about tumbling. That way, other people learning to tumble might see it too. I do see new comments on old videos.

[@RickGorczynski]

Smart-I’ll ask there-thanks.

[@zach2980]

Is that mound mould he made to protect the placoderm just some kind of air clay?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have no idea. Sorry.

[@zach2980]

@@MichiganRocks thx

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

Using your Wife's Toothbrush =YOU BE IN THE DOGGIE BOX/NOT HOUSE=hehehehehe.

[@MauriceDay-tc2we]

I would like to know the make and model of the dissecting microscope Dr. Tony Swinehart is using, in this video???? I would like to purchase one for my fossil cleaning. I live in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.... I subscribe to Michigan Rocks and will check back for a hopeful reply!!! Thanks, Maurice

[@tonys.5940]

Olympus Model LMS-225R Stereo Zoom Microscope. These are older (1996) but better than many of the new ones. They were about $5000 each when new. I've seen a couple good used ones on eBay for

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for taking that one, Tony.

[@elizabethlewis3509]

What about using a dremel tool?

[@MichiganRocks]

That's not something that Tony mentioned to me, even off camera.

[@janehelbert7551]

Thank you Rob for this video! The trilobite was amazing! Love Hillsdale College. I've taken some of the Constitutional lessons from there!

[@MichiganRocks]

This was the first time I have been there. It was a nice looking campus.

[@janehelbert7551]

They don’t take money from the Federal Gov. That’s why they can teach their students about the Consttutions!@@MichiganRocks

[@888HUSKERS]

I realize this is very random but in one video I remembered you saying something about tumbling a rock and using hot glue to protect a hole or a gap from getting grit into it or polish and it ruining the rock. If you could point me to the video I would appreciate it? I’m curious because I have a fair good sized agate 13 to 14oz with floating fortification bands and quartz inclusions that has 2 small holes. I’d like to put it into a vibratory tumbler to polish it up because it just wouldn’t work well on a 6 wheel cab or a flat lap. My hope is to clean it up in a vibratory tumbler and polish it up with cerium oxide on a leather wheel or carpet (still deciding).

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't think I have used hot glue for that purpose. I have filled hole with candle wax to prevent ceramics from getting lodged in them. You might be thinking of a video from a different channel. This video talks about using hot glue, I think. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r33Xeaajecaqb6s

[@888HUSKERS]

@@MichiganRocks bingo! This is it!

[@rippedbarbell]

what is the x y coordinate plane

[@MichiganRocks]

What does that have to do with this video? I'm confused by your question.

[@savagesquirrel9828]

Cool video….great guy. Thanks! Leave Nancy’s toothbrush out of this😁

[@patriciamckean4186]

Lots of tedious work. Makes me appreciate fossils in museums more. Thank goodness Michigan's shorelines have great fossils. I've only found one trillobite.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm still looking for my first trilobite. I have been present when four have been found. Some day.

[@derrickfoster644]

My only real question is, why is there a wetsuit hanging off the emergency shower?

[@MichiganRocks]

I wondered the same thing. Seems like they'd cancel each other out.

[@derrickfoster644]

@MichiganRocks definitely. Thanks for your videos they got me to get a tumbler and keep the cool rocks I find on walks. I have my first batch in the final polish.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@derrickfoster644 That's exciting! I hope they turn out great.

[@derrickfoster644]

@@MichiganRocks they are looking good so far. But I had good teachers.