Re: [ATM] First Pitch Lap - any tips?

[Scott Rychnovsky <srychnov@chem.ps.uci.edu>]

Bill,

I have one piece of advice to add to all the other comments you have received.

Parchment Paper

It is the most amazing stuff!  Pitch does not stick to it.  You can 
buy a roll of it in the baking section of a good grocery store for 
$2.50.  Best investment I ever made for making laps.

They way I used it was  a modification of the "mold the lap on the 
mirror with polishing compound."  I poured the pitch lap using a 
masking tape barrier. I warmed up the mirror and put a sheet of 
parchment paper over it.  I removed the masking tape while the pitch 
was still very soft--much softer  than in the polishing compound 
strategy-- and placed it pitch down on the mirror and worked it just 
a bit to make good contact.  Then I ignored it for an hour and let it 
cool and set.  After that I flipped it over, lifted off the mirror 
and then PULLED THE PARCHMENT PAPER OFF THE PITCH!  It gives a pitch 
lap with a molded surface very easily.

To trim and channel the lap, I use cold water and a razor blade, but 
I realize other people prefer different methods.

I am sold on parchment paper.  You use about 10" of the role and then 
give the rest of it to your wife for baking. 'Thank you Honey ... 
what neat stuff!" I have even used it as a primitive mold release for 
epoxy glue--parchment paper peels right off.  I have used epoxy glue 
and parchment paper to make a close fitting contact points between 
two surfaces.

I will get off my soapbox now.  I have no interest in the companies 
that make parchment paper, but you are welcome to send me a quarter 
if you like my advice.  Or don't send me a quarter--I don't care.

Have I mentioned the little Fryer Deep fat Fryer recently?

Have fun.

Scott


>I will be pouring my first pitch lap this weekend for a 6" f/7 mirror
>and was seeking any last minute tips.  I've read Tex and Stellafane's
>tutorial, but was seeking input from the experts here.  One question
>I have regarding Stellafane's is they say to coat the blank with a
>thick layer of CEO before pressing the blank onto the cooling lap,
>won't the CEO fall off in the process?
>Any other helpful tips to ensure a perfect lap the first time would
>be appreciated 8^)
>
>Thanks,
>Bill Mitchell
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Scott Rychnovsky
srychnov@chem.ps.uci.edu
ATM Page: http://tlepage.home.mindspring.com/
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