Re: ATM !! HELP!!! FIGURING HELP POLISHING!!!

[Vegos <yovw@rvi.net>]

Whoa dude!

Put that mirror away!  Forget about it doing anything for a while.  I DO
NOT have any advice for you specific to figuring your mirror as I have been
FIGURING an 8" off and on for nearly 6 months.

After a few days off of working on the mirror you'll come to realize that
figuring a mirror is exactly the same type of art as courting a woman!  As
far as I can tell there is no tried and true way for every mirror maker on
every mirror.  Each mirror maker must use a unique technique for every
mirror.  Approach figuring from a Zen attitude.  You must gently coax the
parabola from the glass as you would the affection from the heart of a women. 

Above all read the ATM Archives and pay particular attention to the
writings of the most adept ATMer at controlling mortal pain.  Frank Ward.
Yes, Frank has the most experience on the list at the art of courting women
and by extension the mortal pain involved in mirror making.  He may not
have the most mirrors behind him yet, but the Zen of figuring (courting
women) has been conquered by Frank.

As for the mechanics of figuring, read the archives.  I recently posted a
plea for help to the list titled "figuring is cruel and unusual
punishment".  You may find the responses helpful.  Also a couple of small
quips of advice that have helped is 1. Contact of the mirror to the tool is
critical.  I found one from Mel, in which he warms his laps in lukewarm
water and then polishes.  That little piece of advice has helped me move
the surface figure efficently and quickly. This would be fine for getting
back to a sphere.  And number 2. reponses to my plea indicate that the tool
and mirror must be in thermal harmony before figuring is attempted.  Warm
the lap, mate them together and let them cool completely together. Do not
try to figure until the tool and mirror have become one.

Now back off, quit swearing, read, think and view yourself as an artist who
must suffer some mortal setbacks in order to be able to truly convey your
art to the universe.  And by the way, I could give a rat if you don't like
my spelling!

Steve
Rogue River, OR