Rehousing Techniques for Fossil Specimens Ivy Rutzky American

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Rehousing Techniques for Fossil Specimens Ivy Rutzky American Museum of Natural History

Rehousing Techniques for Fossil Specimens Ivy Rutzky American Museum of Natural History

Lining the box - Step 1 Cut ethafoam to the size of the box

Lining the box - Step 1 Cut ethafoam to the size of the box plus the sides.

Lining the box - Step 1 a • Alternate hand position on safety cutting

Lining the box - Step 1 a • Alternate hand position on safety cutting edge. • Push down and into edge wall. • Angle knife blade into straight edge for clean cut. • Keep knife sharpened

Lining the box – Step 1 b Cut out corners to allow the foam

Lining the box – Step 1 b Cut out corners to allow the foam sheet to accommodate the inside dimensions of the box so it will fit neatly inside.

Lining the box – Step 1 c The dotted line should conform to the

Lining the box – Step 1 c The dotted line should conform to the measurements of the bottom of the box so, when cut, the foam can be placed inside the box Fit to shape. Proceed to Step 2 or, if not necessary, Step 3.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 Use your foam knife to check the

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 Use your foam knife to check the height of the specimen. If it is taller than the edges of the box a Coroplast riser should be added (see following steps).

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 a Mark in pencil the inside dimension

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 a Mark in pencil the inside dimension needed for the Coroplast riser

Constructing a protective riser – Step 2 b • Push hand in for strength

Constructing a protective riser – Step 2 b • Push hand in for strength and leverage • Push blade into cutting edge so it doesn’t skip off slick Coroplast surface • Only cut through one side of the Coroplast. It will be bent inwards to keep a clean outer edge on the riser

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 c • Fold back cut side •

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 c • Fold back cut side • With a scissors, snip two edges to make room for bending in.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 d • Fit Coroplast side. • Mark

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 d • Fit Coroplast side. • Mark second bend, cut as first. • Cut end off to fit inside the box.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 e Using a utility knife, score the

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 e Using a utility knife, score the side of the Coroplast that will be hotglued against the inside of the box. This will help ensure the adhesion of the hot melt glue to the slick surface.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 f • Bend back Coroplast edge. •

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 f • Bend back Coroplast edge. • Apply glue to interior edge of box • Glue one side at a time only or the glue will cool too quickly and not make a strong join to the side of the box.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 g Push and hold down to achieve

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 g Push and hold down to achieve a good bond

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 h • Round or clip the Coroplast

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 h • Round or clip the Coroplast riser corners • For larger boxes clip corners before gluing. • The clipped corners prevent bending over time.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 i • Coroplast edges can be sharp.

Constructing a protective riser - Step 2 i • Coroplast edges can be sharp. • Use a simple Emory board to file the interior and exterior edges. • File in one direction only.

Finishing the lining - Step 3 • After the Coroplast riser is glued, cut

Finishing the lining - Step 3 • After the Coroplast riser is glued, cut the Ethafoam to fit. • Set inside and adjust so there are no overlapping or wrinkled edges. • Glue sides. • Glue Ethafoam near the box top edges so they won’t pull away over time • Check adhesion and repair if necessary.

Finishing the lining - Step 3 a Push the edge of the knife into

Finishing the lining - Step 3 a Push the edge of the knife into the sides to get a nice crisp edge.

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 Assemble skull cradle first by gluing edges

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 Assemble skull cradle first by gluing edges of the tri-rod together. Glue to the bottom of the box, adjusting the width of the cradle.

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 a A quick and simple cradle can

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 a A quick and simple cradle can be constructed for skulls using tri-rod Ethafoam, hot melt glue and a foam cutting knife. The size can be adjusted to accommodate small to medium size skulls.

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 b Make angled cuts at the edges

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 b Make angled cuts at the edges of the tri-rod Ethafoam

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 c and d Angle cut the edges

Assemble the skull cradle – Step 4 c and d Angle cut the edges of the tri-rod Ethafoam Using hot glue, glue the edges Pinch the glued ends together until set. Repeat on other end. Apply hot glue to the bottom of the cradle and place into the lined box. Apply pressure until set.

AMNH FM 641 Set skull in cradle dorsal side down (teeth up).

AMNH FM 641 Set skull in cradle dorsal side down (teeth up).

More examples… Example of high coroplast riser and jaw brace. AMNH 49987.

More examples… Example of high coroplast riser and jaw brace. AMNH 49987.

AMNH 6937 Arrangment of skull, jaws and cast, each set housed in a separate,

AMNH 6937 Arrangment of skull, jaws and cast, each set housed in a separate, then placed together in a larger box). If a researcher wants to study only the specimen, the cast remains in the drawer; if the cast is loaned, the housing for the real specimen is still discreet.

AMNH 17339 General Rule is to set skull top down, but that is not

AMNH 17339 General Rule is to set skull top down, but that is not possible with horned specimens. Tall coroplast riser protect horns. Not pictured is mount to support skull without damaging teeth.

AMNH 19476 Skull cradle, with unpictured modification to protect teeth. Tall coroplast riser to

AMNH 19476 Skull cradle, with unpictured modification to protect teeth. Tall coroplast riser to protect horns. Make sure it is reinforced, or glued securely to sides, so it does not pull away if it is picked up with pressure on sides.

AMNH 30495 Another example of high coroplast riser on a horned skull. Should be

AMNH 30495 Another example of high coroplast riser on a horned skull. Should be as tall as necessary, as short as possible to protect specimen and fit in drawer. Standard rule is half an inch higher than top of specimen.