Trimming techniques

Three different splitters available (as well as repairs, and great refurbished microscopes) from:
[www.absoluteclarity.com]

I use the mid-sized one all the time with great success. Difficulty stems from when the sides of the specimen are not very parallel, so piece tends to slip out. I like the idea mentioned above about cutting some slots in the piece for the chisels to sit in, thanks for that!
Regarding the comment that one needs two hands to use this type of splitter, generally you must bolt or clamp the unit to a big table, then no problems. Once the specimen is set in the chisels, you can use two hands to advance the screw. You cant physically tighten this unit enough to explode a rock, so very safe. Overtightening will ruin the threads anyway. Everything has its limitations!

Hi Rock,

The hessonite garnet plate is from Jeffrey's Mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada. Would you mind dropping the name of the air chisel that you think is the best? To clarify your answer on value: While I know there is no industry rule, is it pretty factual to state that saw-marks on the backside do significantly reduce the specimen's value?

33 tons of splitting power... and surprisingly delicate... useful when not splitting wood





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/23/2012 05:32PM by John Lichtenberger.

Try Chicago Pneumatic for a selection of sizes. Also I believe there is a fossil dealer that sells a variety of these tools. Perhaps someone where will be able to give is the name of that company.

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Rock,

The company that has designed and is manufacturing pneumatic tools geared toward fossil preparation is PaleoTools of Brigham City, UT. We use their tools for projects of all scales - for detail work under the microscope as well as to remove limestone matrix from ammonite fossils. There should be several tools in their line applicable to working matrix on mineral specimens.

Bob

Thanks Bob and Rock for the details about the pneumatics. I'll definitely add that to my growing wish list....and I thought a Porta-Power was going to be my next purchase!

John....that's too funny! I've been wondering about doing that for a long time now, but since I don't burn wood, it would only be used for rocks. What kind of rocks have you split with that? I'm sure sedimentary rocks, but do the harder granites and such also split? I would assume there is a safety pressure blow-back valve on those when overloaded, which is normal on most pneumatic cylinders...but a verification would be great to know. I'd love to hear some of your "log" splitting stories about applications.