[ATM] 12.5 inches BVC mirror polishing and figuring difficulties

["RM L" <atm@axeinformatique.com>]

Hello,

Please take a look at my BVC 12.5 in. F/4.8 mirror : http://www.axeinformatique.com/temp/Mirror/BVC_Mirror.html

and please advise me if I should :

1- Sell the thing to a more experienced polisher, and buy a completed mirror (It's my first mirror).
2- Persevere and do what ? How much energy still needed ?
(I don't want to make another lap tool or anything like that. If it's too much work...)

It's been a while... more than two years since I began working on my BVC 12.5 inches Mirror. Worked a little bit on it last summer. I was discouraged.

Initially, everything went pretty well, I think for a rookie like me.
After a while of polishing (I was using polishing pads) some pads came loose from the tool and I rearranged the pads.
It was a mistake because all areas were not well covered and  the uneven polishing made a central crater. (in just a few minutes)

Dumped the pads, I started polishing with my lap tool.
Some of the crater went away after a long time (it's much less apparent). Some rolled edge appeared.

Anyways I'm stuck, and I don't know what to do. I'm discouraged,
and I may sell the mirror and the tool to someone more experienced,
and buy one that is ready made.

My polishing tool seems to work very slowly. Or maybe I don't use the right stroke, or oxide mixture. Sometimes the mirror "squeeks" while I stroke.

I recently recreated the grooves on the lap..
Today I polished for about 1/2 hour and I saw no change in the figure.
My lap could be too hard... I always warm my mirror and tool in hot water, the press them for 5-10 minutes, then start working.

Please have a look at my webpage http://www.axeinformatique.com/temp/Mirror/BVC_Mirror.html

And tell what I should do. How much would someone be willing to pay for my mirror and tool ?

Thanks all,

B.T.W. I'm near Montreal, anyone close that could help ?

RML
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