ATM 5 Micron or not 5 Micron?

[Mike Coslo <mjc5@psu.edu>]

    I am almost finished with the fine grinding phase of a 12.5
inch pyrex mirror.(my first) Everything is going well. I just
finished the 9 micron wets, and I understand there is some
contention regarding going to 5 micron or starting with the
polishing stage after 9 microns. I am going to polish with CeO.

my questions are:

        1. Will skipping 5 micron wets add appreciably to the
polishing times?

        2. What do/did you do?

        3. Pads or no pads?

    thanx,        - Mike -