Re: ATM Work Table for grinding

[Adam Perkins <scopeguru@yahoo.com>]

Dave,

Don't overlook the simplest "table" of all.  I've been
grinding my 12.5" blank while straddling an unpainted
2x12" plank sitting on 2 cmu's (cinder blocks).  I
nailed 2 small wooden cleats near one end of the board
to keep my glass from flying off the end as I grind. 

It's nothing to "disassemble", was dirt cheap, works
great, and requires no additional anchoring weight
other than my fat self sitting on the board. 

This kind of arrangement is great because you are
basically anchored to your "table", and don't have to
worry about it rocking away from you as you push your
glass around.  Be sure to rotate your bottom disk
regulary, as you can't "walk around the barrel". 
Don't forget to use some sort of pad between the glass
and the plank for even support.

John Dobson's ATM videotape shows him fabricating a
16" mirror this way on what appears to be a small
garden bench.

Being able to sit while putting in many hours of labor
on your mirror will be a nice improvement, trust me.

Don't make this more complicated than you have to.  In
fact, everyone one the list repeat after me "I will
not make any ATM projects more complicated than I have
to..."  ;)

Of course, doing things the simple way can get boring,
which explains the half built grinding machine on my
workbench.

Good luck with your scope, however you decide to
proceed with it.

Adam Perkins
Covington, Louisiana


> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: macaddicted <daviddesign@mac.com>
> To: ATM List <atm@shore.net>
> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 3:39 PM
> Subject: ATM Work Table for grinding
> 
> 
> >
> > Greetings from the left coast,
> >
> > As I creep ever closer to actually starting my
> telescope I have another
> > question. It is impractical for me to get a 55
> gallon drum and fill it
> with
> > sand or water to act as my working base for
> grinding. What suggestions do
> > you have for putting together a solid work area
> for grinding? I found
> plans
> > for a table built from 2x4's, but I worry about
> the table wobbling.
> >
> > Dave
> > macaddicted
> >
> 
> 


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