[ATM] Newport conical blank?

[polaris@gsinet.net]

Hi,

  I'm returning to the list after a long hiatus. During this time I have been 
horse-trading various scopes and now have a 5" apo.  I'd like to build another 
nice dob to go with it, 10-11" aperture.  I currently have a 14.5" commercial 
dob which I am selling due to back problems.  Back injuries will limit me to a 
newt of more modest size.  I have seen conical mirrors being offered by Bob 
Royce but, being on a limited budget I am thinking of grinding my own.  I've 
ground a few smaller mirrors before, and took a 16" through 3u AlO.

  So .... I have noticed that Newport offers conical mirror blanks for sale.  
I am considering ordering one, of maybe 10" diam.   I'm just wondering how big 
a deal it is to do a conical mirror.  Am I getting into a can of worms?
I'd like a mirror which is a little lighter than normal and cools quickly.

  Would I be better served grinding a very thin mirror instead?  

  What kind of problems might I have grinding my own conical mirror?  I have 
the focault tester and compounds already.  

Thanks,
Rob O.

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