Re: ATM Tile tool, Just want to be sure before I do this.

[astillma@nit.AirTouch.COM (Anthony Stillman)]

Scott Ritchey wrote:

About to order blank for my first mirror blank (kit).  Planning on making an
8", F6 Dob.  WB sends two fine annealed blanks with the kit.  If both are the
same, I don't see the point in using one as a tool.  From my readings in the
archives, as I understand the tile tool process, I just cast a flat plaster
disk of the same size as my mirror, lacquer the surface after it cures, and
epoxy on 1" square, unglazed tiles.  As a newbie, am I headed in the wrong
direction?  Do I need to bevel the edges on all of the tiles?  If so, how
much.  Will a flat tile tool conform to the mirror as it deepens?  Should I
forget all this and just use the second blank as a tool?  Also, how good are
the kits supplied by WB (abrasives, pitch and polish)?  Is there a better
source? Should I use rouge instead of the CeO supplied with the WB kit?

In order:

You are headed in the correct direction.
Just bevel the edge of the outside tile after the tool in made.
Bevel the edge of the tile between an 1/16 to 1/8 inch, ish, or so, kinda.
Yes the tool will conform.
Use the second blank as another mirror.
The kits are good enough.
There maybe a better source, but not as convenient
Rouge, leaves a nice smooth surface and works about 1/3 as fast as Cerium
Its good for final polish and figuring.

Good Questions!

Anthony