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Recent years have shown much diversity in new tools available to the preparator. Leading the charge most notably is PaleoTools. Their Micro-Jack line has taken the prep world by storm, and while I really like some of their tools, like the Mighty Jack and the Tri-tip Chicago Pneumatic adaptation for blasting through hard rock, for small work, I prefer another new take on an older tool.
At the Bozeman SVP meeting, Charlie Magovern of the Stone Company, brought along a few of these Micro-tip adaptors for the ARO Airscriber. He distributes them for a manufacturer in Germany. I took one home with me to evaluate after OKC, along with one of his larger mass matrix removing tools.
The microtip is a little bit longer than the standard ARO nose piece, and instead of the metal bushing that is pressed into the end, it sports a Teflon sleeve that hugs the stylus. The stylus itself is different also. Instead of one long piece of carbide that originates at the baseplate, this stylus is quite thick, and hollow at the end. The carbide then seats into another Teflon fitting, and as a result, can be very thin. The tip is actually designed to be used with phonograph needles, but as those are soft steel, they wear down very quickly, and can be replaced with the same diameter carbide. I feel that I get much smoother action out of the Microtip/ARO combination. I have been able to create some phenomenally fine carbide points to work between fragile elements, without the worry of breaking and replacing a more expensive stylus. Additionally, one can still cut off the airflow with just a twist of the wrist. When using Microjacks, I always feel like I need a third, or sometimes fourth hand to turn off the tool. Downsides to the Microtip mostly involve wear. Eventually, the Teflon lining wears out, widening just like the steel ARO bushings do over time. In my experience, this took between two and three years of heavy use to achieve. Those using the tool more infrequently never experienced this issue. However, those are much easier to pull out with pliers and replace. Another drawback involves breaking the carbide off flush with the end of the tool. However, Charlie has very quick turn around when you send the stylus back for a replacement tip.
