Nevertheless, for those of us who are antique before our times, I would like to put forth the proposition that cold can be quite effective in assisting us in correcting the blunders of our students <g>.
I have found that when a mirror and a tool become tightly bound together during grinding, it is most helpful to place them in the freezer. For an 8", 1:6 pyrex (sorry Tony , I mean borosilicate) mirror, against a plate glass tool of lesser diameter, I find that about 1/2 hour will do the trick quite nicely, and will also save me from the excitement that always accompanies the bigger hammer method of seperation.
I also find that cold is quite useful in removing pitch from a plate glass tool. I put the tool in the freezer for about an hour and then the pitch peels off easily (Say that three times fast!)
Generally my wife and kids humor me and allow the freezer to be used in this manner for a short period of time.
Any other suggestions to how to cure common problems?
Francis J. O'Reilly