Ken Mannion
   Fossil Preparation Tools & Equipment      
Fossil Preparation Services
Since 1980

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    Some of our most frequently asked questions  

We have over the years worked on countless thousands of different types of fossils and will have almost certainly worked on the type of fossil or the environment you enquire about. We have also used and evaluated dozens of other tools, electric or otherwise over the years specifically for comparative research and evaluation as to their use for fossil preparation so are well placed to give fair broad advice.

Our combination of being users producers and retailers of fossil preparation equipment means we feel that we are in an unrivaled position to give our customers 100% fair advice based on very focused lengthy experience. If you are at all unsure what tools you think you might need or system that best suits you or even whether you should embark on fossil preparation at all, please feel completely free to give us a call.

For the most part ....Yes we do....... Our Fossil preparation pens have evolved independantly and are produced by us specifically for Fossil preparation for example. They are unavailable anywhere else

Some items are made totally by us, The saws for example.

In such a specialist, relatively small field' embarking on Fossil preparation could previously mean having to use equipment designed for other uses, such as metal engravers designed for etching part numbers on metals etc . (Indeed some geological retailers still offer this level of equipment often under the guise of Fossil preparation tools despite being just a basic engraving pen or air chisel)

Fossil preparation puts particular demands and unique stresses on equipment totally different and greatly exceeding those of say metal etching or glass engraving. Our tools are designed to meet those additional demands.

We have sold equipment for over 20 years and to over 25 countries. Our customers include dozens of national Museums and leading Universities, Many provincial Museums, Universities and Geological Societies. I would guess that every commercial fossil dealer in the UK with workshop facilities has dealt with us at some time or another, and of course countless individuals, many who are private collectors who are going it alone somewhat or who are entering the field for the first time and are welcome of our support.

We are not a shop or an industrial unit but a detached house. Built in 1840 as a smallholding, it was built as (and still is) a working house. We have a fair amount of outbuildings and space.

You would be most welcome should you wish to visit us, we are easy to find and have our own parking. All our equipment can be seen here and used in our own fossil workshop if required. You can even bring along some of the material you intend working on yourself for advice and evaluation. However you must make an appointment first.

We are at Barton upon Humber, a typical North Lincolnshire market town. Next to the Humber Bridge and served by both the M180 and the M62.We are very easy to get to, and very easy to find being on the main road through our small town.

• Telephone 9am to 9pm 7 days a week
• Visits. 8am to 8pm. 7 days a week. Subject to appointment.
• email anytime . We always reply to emails even if we cannot help. Some of these spam filters are ruthless ! If you do not get a reply within 3 days consider that your message did not get to us.

Fossil preparation/equipment is our full time occupation/commitment. However, as with all independent traders we do have to go out occasionally. Nevertheless we stress, especially regarding the telephone, we are never far away and certainly do not have a fixed "unavailable" time.

Yes we do. Some of our equipment can now be found being used in

• Metal, glass, ceramic,paper and archaeological conservation depts.
• Metal detector users and divers for cleaning finds
• Coin cleaners and jewellers
• Security marking / metal etching / parts coding.
• Electronic & engineering components manufacturers.
• Classic vehicle, aircraft and train restoration workshops

Some of our equipment is now in use in some applications at sites as diverse as shellfish farms in Australia and forensic labs in Brazil.

As is typical of many, if not most manufacturing and service led, (rather than solely retailing,) businesses it is unfeasible to put our prices directly on our web site. Our flexibility to meet your exact needs means it is practically impossible, on a site of this size, to give an accurate uncomplex price structure.

We find many potential purchasers, especially first time buyers, have questions to ask and they can be assured that they are getting the best tools for their needs. Contacting us for prices is a good introduction into getting those questions answered. We can assure you that our prices like our service are both consistent and competitive

Payment options are

• We welcome credit card payments.
• Personal cheques. Drawn on UK banks only.
• Cash. Visitors and special delivery insured mail only.
• PAYPAL

Payment must be received before goods can be sent.

UK museums and educational establishments can order on their official order forms and be invoiced.

Overseas establishments and must make payment before goods can be sent. We are happy to send electronic PDF or mailed pro-forma invoices.

NB. We are not VAT registered. Non will be added or can be claimed by VAT registered businesses.

Yes we do. However it is not feasible to offer our saws outside of the UK due to the many variations in machinery regulations and differing power supplies.

Yes we do. We have everything offered on this site available "off the shelf" for immediate despatch or personal collection