Re: [ATM] List "reference material"

["Stuart Hutchins" <stuart452@earthlink.net>]

Mike,

I think you've got a very good idea there.  After making my first mirror and 
scope, 8 inch f/7.8, using a library copy of Texereau,  I have spent a 
couple of years reading the atm list and following and collecting atm links. 
I have learned a tremendous amount from all you smart and helpful souls, 
because I am so interested in it.  Frankly though, I prefer books for their 
depth, completeness and the fact they can be read in an easy chair.  They 
are much more efficient than scrounging information one molecule at a time 
from the web and email.

However, the younger generation seems to depend almost exclusively on the 
internet for information.  Many questions start out "where can I find 
'dah-dee-dah' on the web?"  And the newer, simpler methods and materials 
practiced now by ATM folks for basic mirror making don't seem to be 
documented coherently and completely in one place so far as I know.  It 
takes a lot of time to follow a lot of links and sort out all the ideas.

If you can afford the time that it takes to do a complete writeup on the 
basic process it would be a great service to newcomers.  Maybe 2 or 3 of the 
experienced hands could collaborate and put a feature article on atmsite.org 
or some place like that that is less ephemeral that personal websites?

I would have found such a thing quite valuable when I started the TM 
workshop here at the Denver Astronomical Society last fall. (an act of 
unbridled audacity given my own meager experience!)  We have ten mirrors in 
progress.  So far we are doing OK.  I've been able to rescue two mirrors 
that were poorly polished and figured by folks in a prior workshop several 
years back by using ideas gleaned from the frequent posters here.  Final 
figuring and star testing on those  and one new one will be happening the 
next week or two.  That will be the proof, of course.

Stuart Hutchins

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Lockwood" <melockwo@uiuc.edu>
To: <atm@atmlist.net>
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 12:26 PM
Subject: [ATM] List "reference material"


> I have always felt that the list needed some more "core material" that can 
> answer lots of the common questions that first-time mirror makers
> have concerning spherizing and figuring.  We're wasting bandwidth 
> answering the same questions over and over again.  So, I'm trying answer 
> some of the figuring questions, and those related to pressing and pitch 
> hardness.  I hope my material is helpful and worthy of being referred to.
>
> The materials on the ATM FAQ page are excellent, but there are many, many 
> more resources that could be linked to from that location.  Is there an 
> easy way to include some of these links on the ATM site itself?  Seems 
> like that's the right place for them.

> I got the introduction, fine grinding, polishing, lap making and lap 
> pressing sessions drafted last night.  Hopefully I can knock out most of 
> the real content - the figuring guidelines - over the weekend.
>
> On another note, the east- and west-coasters have mirror-making workshops 
> every year, but we in the midwest have nothing (that I know of).  I don't 
> have time to organize one myself, but if one did occur I'd love to attend 
> and help out.
>
> Mike Lockwood
>

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