ATM Learning process

["John Lynch" <john_p_lynch@hotmail.com>]

Joe,

I've found that the learning process in making a telescope (mine
is still in progress) has been fascinating.  The problem solving
sometimes required to work through difficulties is very satisfying
once you've understood what you're doing and come up with a solution.
My intention was similar because of the frustration I experienced
when attempting this in high school.  I'm having more success now
because I think I have more patience and time to put things aside
until I fully understand what's going on.  I understood going in
that it would take awhile to complete a project that I was happy
with.  Also, the initial ideas of a design and how they have to be modified 
as you go along can be fun, but searching for just the right materials can 
be frustrating-especially if you're stubborn like me.  I've since purchased 
a nice pair of binoculars to satisfy my observing pangs until my project is 
completed:  Nikon ProStar 7X50mm.  They're great!  When I started this, I 
was quite apprehensive about making a pitch lap, and the first few attempts 
weren't all that great.  I tried a couple of methods, and now I'd say that 
I've gotten to the point where I can make a nice lap without much effort 
using Texereau's method and coating the wood strips with aluminum foil (a 
technique that I learned from this listserv!).  I've also used ideas from
books by Texereau, Howard, and Thompson, the Newt software, and
this listserv has been a gold mine.  I'm just about ready to start
using TEX for the figuring procedure.

About your questions concerning rosin:  I know that when Palomar
Optical Supply was still in business a few years ago, they sold
wood rosin and pine tar in their kits.  They also offered tempered
pitch.  Perhaps the wood rosin and pine tar required mixing to produce 
pitch.  Anyway, Willmann-Bell offers Burgundy pitch, but I prefer the
Gugolz offered by Salem Distributing (at $17.00 per kilogram).
Their URL is http://www.salemdist.com/telescope.html.  My opinion
is that the Gugolz seems to work better and is easier to trim.
You might also want to look at Texereau (2nd edition) in Appendix J:  Pitch 
testing, and the contruction of a Twyman Viscosity Tester.
I built one of these devices before I started polishing by 6" f/6
mirror, and it's great.  You can temper your pitch to the desired hardness 
suited for your working environment.  One other note:  I'd avoid the Gugolz 
73.  Even though it's advertised as MEDIUM, it's actually quite hard and 
requires tempering with turpentine.  I'd go for the Gugolz 64 (Soft) and see 
how that works out, especially
living in New England.  Good luck!

John Lynch

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