How I set up my fossil prep lab

[@TheFossilFiend]

📌 Check out my fossil prepping playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLiUHTbsl4dhCkUhqmEyEl9OYCvrPhF3pp

[@Timanator]

Thanks for the video, that is cool! You know you can build a sound barrier box for the compressor :)

[@TheFossilFiend]

Thanks for the tip!

[@FamilyTravelandExcursions]

Saw your channel on the fossil prep Facebook group. Looking forward to seeing more! I have a couple fossil hunting videos on my channel. Hopefully one day I can go out west for a fossil. hunt

[@TheFossilFiend]

Thanks, I'll check out your vids. I will have a hunting vid out next week.

[@CURSIFYY]

what is the magnifacation glasses? is there a link?

[@TheFossilFiend]

I like a 2x to 3x range of magnification. The higher the magnification, the closer you have to be for the subject to be in focus. I will a link to the bottom of the description now.

[@batuandanfosilpurba5206]

Nice

[@TheFossilFiend]

thanks. its about to undergo a rebuild.

[@VaraLaFey]

Nice!!

[@TheFossilFiend]

Thanks!

[@WightFossilTours]

Great video 💪 very envious of your tidy set up. I’m about to bite the bullet and invest in some proper equipment

[@TheFossilFiend]

thanks for the kind words! My setup could use some improvements if I were doing it again, but what I have isnt so bad that I need to re-do it right now. Feel free to ask any questions when you start to design it. I may do another video later and talk in details about just compressed air system design considerations.

[@WightFossilTours]

@@TheFossilFiend thank you look forward to seeing more of your videos. My shed is very cramped and I’m limited to where I can put things, I’m going to get a small blast cabinet half the size of yours

[@jaf506]

Nice video, and nice job of creating a homebrew setup. I haven't put one together yet, though I have most of the pieces. Some comments/questions: I'm surprised you didn't use 1/2" or larger copper pipe for your air distribution from compressor to the air conditioning/manifold at least. Not really much pressure/capacity drop from the plastic stuff? What was the blue tubing? You can sometimes find the California Air brand compressors on sale. While they're far from silent, they're pretty quiet if you have to share shop space with one. I have one in my primary workshop and you don't need hearing protection when it's running. That's mostly a comment for someone else who wants to do a nice setup like yours. I have that same cyclone setup for general dust removal, and for the blast cabinet I was thinking about putting in a water trap after it, and before the shop vac. Did you ever try that, or is the amount of dust that makes it to the vac so small it's not worth it? Again, thanks for sharing your setup with us!

[@TheFossilFiend]

Thank you for the kind words! I went with PEX tubing over copper based entirely on cost. Copper is many times higher than PEX, also PEX can be joined with a simple crimping tool instead of needing a solder joint. Most compressors are loud, but yes, some can be much quieter, although that luxury also comes with a higher price tag than my dirt cheap setup. I have not tried a water trap although I have researched them and may build one to see if I like it. One person who uses one says he gets zero dust coming into his vacuum, so I think they have a lot of good points. I do get some dust into my vac and have to shake out the cover periodically.

[@jaf506]

@@TheFossilFiend I was thinking just compression or flare fittings for the copper ... actually with pressure it'd need to be flares. That allows you to still take it apart and reconfigure if necessary and put it together with simple hand tools. Still, whatever works. Sounds like PEX is often used for air lines though the manufacturer doesn't recommend it. Size for size the copper will handle much more pressure though of course that isn't real relevant in this usage, though it may affect the life of the system before failure. In my case I'd use a GRS Gravermeister for the "air scribe" part of the system, and I picked up a used Comco 1002 on EBay for about $150. Needed a bit of work to get running but the parts were cheap. I'll only need the compressor for the Comco, and the Cali Air I have can handle that requirement okay. Mostly need to build a cabinet and get some low quality pieces to practice on. Again, thanks for sharing your setup with us!

[@TheFossilFiend]

A Comco, nice. I'm jealous. Looking for one of those as well!

[@CalebWilliamsGlazer]

For people just starting out with preparation is all of this necessary?

[@TheFossilFiend]

all of it? of course not. The basic hand tools are plenty for just starting.

[@toastbrot_junkie9037]

2:39 Can you prep fossils without these electronic tools too?

[@TheFossilFiend]

Just clarity, they are pneumatic (air powered). Yes, you can prep fossils without any sort of electric or powered tools. Museums are filled with fossil displays that were prepped before powered prepping tools were invented. It takes longer, but can still be done!

[@Elihoffs95]

What is the headset called, by the way?

[@TheFossilFiend]

The bluetooth one? "worktunes" by 3M