Re: ATM OK, OK, I'll start by hand!

["Dave McCarter" <dmccarter@sympatico.ca>]

> I am beginning to wonder, however, if hand-grinding is really some kind of
> hazing into the ATM fraternity

We've been found out!

No, really, hand grinding is very Zen like and relaxing. While you are
moving glass over tool to the slushy sound of rolling grit you can develop
an understanding of the physical forces at work that result in a spherical
surface. I know that watching a machine push glass has no such effect.
Remember that we are tactile beings from birth, although I don't recommend
that you mouth a gritty glass blank!

Polishing is where the work gets harder, as the pitch and polish grip the
smooth glass surface firmly. Yet again the feel for how much drag is being
experienced by the tool and where on the mirror surface that drag is
occurring, provides insight to how the surface is developing.

I use a machine for polishing out, because that is just wrist busting work.
But for grinding and figuring the human hand has no equal.

Dave