Re: [ATM] smoothing f12 5" mirror

["Mitch" <funnybone101@earthlink.net>]

well I have a sphere but am trying to get the thing smoother - my
understanding is to:
   
  1.  use slow, smooth normal strokes.

*** From my 6" It seemed slower was better, but you don't need to go really
slow, just constant without a lot of jerks. A medium pace with correct form
works fine. I struggled for a long time with a crooked stroke (too far
backward, not far enough forward) and it was really rough going (no pun).
Once I got my stroke right at our ATM Meetings it was a breeze and a medium
pace was just fine.
   
  2.  do not stop moving - figure 8s may be helpful.

*** Perhaps, but don't make abrupt movements just to keep from stopping.
   
  3.  frequent cold pressing.

*** Indeed. If it doesn't feel right at all it is always better to give it
another 10 minutes press than to just keep pushing on and ruin the surface
(I only did this once before I never did it again ;)
   
  4.  thin polish (white cerium ox. is OK)

*** Yup, too much just makes things slippery.
   
  - now from my eye - it looks pretty smooth but when looking at picture
from my digital camera - looks like a wet slightly bumpy surface.
   
  Anyway - am I wrong on any of the above - any other advice?
   
  Thanks,
  Gil


*** I too found a camera can bring out little nasties (such as a small TDE
:( that you didn't know was there). Just take your time viewing, do it in a
fairly dark place. Something we sometimes forget is to let your eyes dark
adapt some. We do it for observing, why not for testing.

Mitch

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