How to build a Fossil Screen

I enjoy fossil hunting in local streams and looked at buying fossil screens for this purpose. What I quickly discovered is that they are very easy to make. Building is always more fun than buying and this makes a fun family project that lets you spend some quality time with the kids. I am sure there are many ideas out there but these are the ones that worked best for me.

First, you will need to determine the best size for you and where you will be using it. There are a few basic factors here...

a.) Overall size? - How strong are you and how long do you plan on carrying it around?
b.) Does it need to float? - Will you be searching in deeper water?
c.) What size holes? - How big are the things you expect to find?

I have built many sized screens ranging from 24 x 36 inches all the way down to my current ones that are 14 x 10.5 inches. To be honest, the big one has never seen any use (just too heavy to carry around). I will focus on the later as that is what I use the most often. Also, I have used the 1/2 inch and the 1.4 inch screen and found I prefer the 1/4 inch. You could also use a smaller screen if you are looking for smaller fossils.

Step 1: Materials

Ok here is the parts list. Best of all these are very cheap to build. A quick trip to Home Depot and about $10 will be all you need per screen.

1 x 2 inch wood - you need a total of 46 inches per screen
1/4 inch mesh screen roll (sold back in fencing area in rolls) - 1 role will make many screens
1.5 - 2 inch wood decking screws (I use treated ones since your screen will be wet often) - You need 4 screws per screen so 1 box goes a long way
3/4 inch lathe screws (have a "built in washer") - you need 12 - 15 per screen
18 inches of cord for handles - I use parachute cord
The only tools required are a saw to cut the wood parts, a drill to make the hand holds, a phillips head screw driver, metal shears to cut the screen, and a tape measure.

Comments

[Kiteman]

If you're looking for small fossils, wouldn't it make sense to have a double-layer screen? Top layer with larger holes, keeps out larger rocks etc, lower screen with smaller holes to retain the smaller fossils?

[PaleoDan]

Yes - but you still need to decrease the size smaller than the 1/4 inch I use or they will still fall through. I have done this with 1/2 inch inside the top screen and 1/4 inch in the bottom.