ATM Alternative tools?

[Andrew Grisdale <roadwarrior@techieguy.com>]

Hi all,

I have been seeing on the web a few different tool materials proposed, and have yet to 
see a book that mentioned them. Ceramic tiles seem to be the more common/conventional 
alternative tool, but I have also seen aluminum and steel tools proposed and available to 
buy. Are there any pages online that offer a comparison between different tool types? 

I am considering my first mirror, and am attracted by claims of faster hogging with other 
materials than glass. Also thinking about the future, it would be nice to buy or make a 
tool that will make several mirrors for me. For example, if I ordered an aluminum tool 
preshaped (spherical) for f8, 6 inch diameter, I could make my first mirror an F8 6" then 
make a f6 8" and a f4.8 10" from the same tool. I am a bit unclear whether in some cases 
it is intended for the tool to also be used for figuring and polishing, or whether one is 
to make a seperate plaster tool and pitch that.

Is there any reason why I should not use a preformed larger diameter tool? Not too much 
bigger, say I make a 6" on an 8" tool? 

Thank you all for any help you can give,

Andrew G.


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