Re: [ATM] Scratches

[gregj888@comcast.net]

Just an additional 2 cents (old school, just 2 cents :-).  I'm also not an expert but this is what works for me.

Once I get to AlO lapping sizes, all are mixed with water and dispensed from a squeeze bottle.  Much easier to keep track of the fine stuff when it doesn't fly around.  

As has been said, most use too much polishing agent, a little goes a long ways.  In Portland OR. our water is very good.  I keep an old detergent bottle full of water on the bench and use it to mix with my CeO/rouge, so it has usually been sitting a few days at least.  I always rinse the water bottle before refilling so I don't get a build up of crud, though have never seen any.  If I were back using Illinois well water, I'd by distilled.

I shake the CeO then let it sit 10-30 seconds prior to dispensing so anything "Big" can settle, then pour off the top.  Final polishing and figuring is done with Ball Milled Rouge.

I never take a "real" optic to a public workshop to polish.  I one took a mirror that was in the final stages of figuring.  After a short figuring stint, the next inspection showed scratches by the thousands...  Someone with grit on their fingers or air borne I don't know, but once was enough.  I get some flack here locally because I'm "always grinding...:-)".  Polishing is done at home, under a plastic tent or under a shield on the small machine.  Hand work is done on a heavy table about 25" by 72" that has a PVC pipe frame about 2' tall attached to it.  The frame is covered with clear plastic.  I just lift the plastic next to the area I'm working for access.  I am not under the plastic.  

Don't know if it's the best way, but seems to work for me.
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