Learn about fossil preparation in our FREE handy guides!

£859.00

PLEASE NOTE:

We are phasing out the ZOIC Chicago which was previously included in our starter kit, in favour of the Maia! The Maia is our new all-rounder air scribe. Are we allowed to have favourites? Well, if we are... THIS IS IT! The Maia is a much more flexible tool than the ZOIC Chicago, able to take a wide range of styli from 1.5mm for fine work up to 3mm for roughing work. It's a joy to use. 


We understand that the Maia will not be in the financial reach of some beginners, but fear not! We've got the Ammonite air scribe, which is part of our budget range and very similar to the ZOIC Chicago.

Get started in the world of fossil preparation with this exceptional value bundle! Everything you need to plug in and get prepping with easy to follow instructions.

  • ZOIC PalaeoTech ZPT-MA The Maia

  • NuAir Silenced 24l 1.5kW (2.0HP) Air Compressor

  • Quick Start Guide

  • FFP3 Dust Mask

  • Safety Glasses

  • All of the connectors and fittings required to plug in and get prepping!

Everything you need to get started

An affordable start in pneumatic fossil preparation, with the durability and quality to keep up with your demands!

ZOIC Paleotech PalaeoTech Trilobite cheap budget air scribe air pen fossil prep prepping preparation value affordable budget

01

Air Scribe

The ZOIC PalaeoTech ZPT-MA The Maia, an all-rounder fossil preparation tool. Small, light and powerful. Interchangeable styli options.

02

Air Compressor
A 24l Silenced Air Compressor, providing the compressed air your air scribe needs to run! 

03

PPE

An essential part of the kit, required to keep you safe. Protect your eyes and lungs.

ZPT-MA THE MAIA

The Maia is the most versatile all rounder fossil preparation tool on the market. We include it as part of a starter kit because it can tackle most jobs, from very fine work all the way through to roughing work. It represents the least steep learning curve of all our air scribes, and in that way is perfect for a beginner. This tool will guide you through your first foray into fossil preparation and far beyond.


Weight: 166g (5.85oz)

Dimensions: 100mm length, 25mm max. diameter (4" long, almost 1" ø)

Working Pressure Range: 0.5 - 2.5 Bar (7-36 PSI)

Optimal Working Pressure (for most tasks): 2 Bar (30 PSI)

Maximum Air Consumption: 10lpm (0.35 CFM) at 2 Bar 

Noise: 71 dB(A)

Vibration: 4.2m/s2 at 2.5 Bar

BPM: Approx 7000 at 2 Bar (30 PSI)

Connection: Air hose + inline filter assembly + pressure regulator + quick coupler

On/Off Mechanism: Ball Valve

The Maia is a universal all-rounder air scribe. If you can only have one to do it all, then this would be it! We have designed this specifically to be the most versatile fossil preparation air scribe on the market, capable of tackling everything from moderate roughing work to fine detail.


Buttery smooth in use, small and easy to handle, highly customisablelow air pressure and low air consumption. This tool is truly a delight to use. 


fossil preparation air scribe tt me9100 cp9361 air pen fossil prep
  • Excellent all-rounder

  • ZOIC PalaeoTech PRO Range

  • A variety of stone-grade tungsten carbide styli to choose from. Starter kits come with a choice of our most popular combinations.

  • Very frugal air consumption 

  • Extreme durability in fossil preparation
  • Rubber coated for thermal insulation and vibratory dampening
  • Air channels engineered to minimise noise output, whilst providing full frontal exhaust

 The Maia sets new standards for versatility, ease of use, and customisation in fossil preparation tools.


Unrivaled Versatility: The Maia is your go-to companion for fossil preparation, capable of handling a wide spectrum of tasks. From moderate roughing work to delicate, fine-detail tasks, it excels in all applications, making it the most versatile preparation air scribe on the market.

Silky-Smooth Performance: Prepare to be enchanted by The Maia's buttery-smooth operation, ensuring your work is both efficient and satisfying.

Compact and Manageable: The Maia's ergonomic design ensures it's easy to handle, even during prolonged use. Its compact size allows you to navigate intricate details with ease, reducing fatigue and enhancing your overall productivity.

Highly Customizable: Tailor The Maia to your exact preferences. With a range of customizable styli and heads, you can adjust it to suit your specific needs. Need matrix removal? Use a 3mm chisel to grunt away the top layers of rock. Need precision for fine work? Use the 1.5mm point. Need something inbetween? Try a 2mm or 2.5mm stylus!

Efficient and Eco-Friendly: The Maia boasts low pressure and low air consumption, making it not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. Spend less on your energy bills, and enjoy the sound of silence as your compressor kicks in less often.


The following image shows the wide range of styli that can be used with the Maia. For our starter kits, we offer a choice of the basics, and the most useful combinations. As you advance in your prep and discover more what you specifically need, I'm sure we've got just the right stylus! Please note that the stylus diameter must match the head. 


Technical Specifications

The air consumption (amount of air the tool requires to run) is very low at only 10lpm (0.35cfm), providing 13,500 bpm at 6 Bars (90 PSI). The Maia has a nominal operating pressure of 2 Bar (30 PSI) and a maximum operating pressure of 2.5 Bar (36 PSI). It can be used as low as 0.5 Bar (7 PSI) for the finest work. A low air consumption means that your compressor will kick in less often creating less noise and costing you less to run. Low air consumption is also a great indicator of quality in air tools – the engineering in this tool is exceptional.



What’s in the box? The Maia Air Scribe, fitted with 1.5m extra flexible braided premium air hose) and particulate filter. Packaged in a wooden presentation box with a Euro coupler that will plug straight into the compressor, spare o-rings, silicone o-ring grease, 14mm spanner, Air Tool Oil, 1x protective scribe sleeve, User Manual & Declaration of Conformity. 


THE ZOIC PALAEOTECH QUALITY THAT YOU KNOW AND TRUST

We manufacture each tool right here in Dorset, and take enormous pride in our workmanship. Each tool is quality controlled before it leaves our workshop. Dependability, reliability, innovation and function are at the heart of what we do. We want for our tools to see you through whatever you may throw at them, and for you to enjoy using them. We want them to be as quiet as they can be, comfortable and a genuine pleasure to use. We design our tools to be low maintenance, requiring very little user input. If you look after your tools, they will look after you! 

How does the Maia compare to other tools?

The Maia compares most in our range to the ZOIC Chicago, although is capable of being more powerful and more precise, making it the best all-rounder we've ever produced. 


Everything we do in our workshop is optimal for fossil preparation, designed for maximum power output, maximum tool lifespan, low noise, exceptionally low air consumption, frontal exhaust and ergonomic use. Even after many years of rigorous use and changing your stylus often, you will find your tool hardly has any wear. 

CE & UKCA Conformable


air compressor

This kit comes with a 24l OL244/24 NuAir TECH Air Compressor - known for its quiet (66dB) operation, a good match for The Maia. The NUAIR Silent TECH OL244/24 24l Direct Drive Air Compressor is a powerful little air compressor for its size.

NuAIR Silent TECH OL244/24 24l Direct Drive Air Compressor


Tank Size: 24l

Motor: 1.1kw (1.5 HP) 

Air Capacity: 200L/min (7.1 CFM)

Weight: 21kg

Dimensions: 595 x 260 x 580 mm

Input Current: 13A

Noise: 62 dBa

Max. Pressure: 8bar (116PSI)

Oil Lubricated: No


Running at only 62-66dBa, this compressor is quiet running (note: not silent). Oil-less design means low maintenance and no risk of oil spillage. Features include thermal overload cutout, pressure regulator and dial and Euro female quick-connect.



Personal protective equipment

Although probably the least exciting part of the kit, PPE is essential in fossil preparation. 

  • FFP3 Dust Mask

  • Safety Glasses


This kit comes with an FFP3 face mask (equivalent to N99), which is recommended as a minimum for fossil preparation. Not all face mask filters are created equal! Lighter duty or surgical face masks won’t prevent you from inhaling rock dust as the particles can be so small. Typically used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, these masks are ideal for keeping you safe.


Please always wear a mask. Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in silica particles (silica is a major component in sand and many rocks), which causes scarring of the lungs. Some fossiliferous limestones set underwater, and if you were to inhale that rock dust, you can imagine where it starts to set!


Our ZOIC PalaeoTech fossil preparation starter kits also come with safety goggles to protect against airborne rock chips and dust, as well as ear defenders to protect from the noise of the compressor. 

*Please note that PPE may vary from that pictured, but the grade and level of protection will be exactly the same. Depending on supply, we use different brands, colours and styles, but we always ensure that all PPE is conformable to standard.

  • What's in the Box?
  • Warranty
  • Payment Plans 
  • ZPT-MA The Maia (comes with user manual, air tool oil, 1.5m air hose, Euro connector, silicone o-ring grease, spare o-rings, 14mm spanner, scribe sleeve, and packaged in a wooden presentation box)

  • 24l NuAir Silenced Air Compressor

  • Quick Start Guide (easy instructions to help you set-up, understand and use your new pneumatic kit)

  • Safety Glasses

  • FFP3 Face Mask

Please note that the air compressor may arrive separately. We do not offer gift wrapping on the air compressor, but can gift wrap the rest.

24 month warranty on the Maia air scribe from ZOIC PalaeoTech to cover manufacturing faults and defects.
12 month manufacturer's warranty on the NuAir Air Compressor.
Remember you can pay with Klarna and split the cost into 3 interest-free instalments at no extra cost to you. Select 'Pay with Klarna' at checkout. Available in some countries. Terms and Conditions Apply

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