Re: [ATM] Making glass blanks

[George Anderson <georgea@cam.org>]

Why do people skydive, bungee jump, race cars, climb mountains, and many
other pastimes?
Heck why should a first time glass pusher even bother making his own
mirror? Chances are that if you take into account all of the expense and
time of making a first mirror and having it coated (and ignoring the
health risk) that he could buy a Swayze mirror for less.
Someone wants to try to produce glass as a challenge or as an interest,
point out the downsides or problems that they may run to while doing so.
Or even offer some positive advice
But why ridicule them for pursuing something because you have decided
that it is dangerous and a waste of their own time?
Any of us who grind glass run the risk of silicosis if we don't follow
safety procedures, simply point out what the potential hazards are and
what precautions should be taken.
Those of us who have tried metal casting at home run the risk of serious
burns if we don't pay heed to safety but I don't recall any being
ridiculed, the same applies to someone attempting to make glass.
I don't remember any ridiculing because someone on the list decided to
experiment and make a speculum mirror. In fact there was a lot of
interest and encouragement from the list.
Off hand I'd be willing to bet that per capita more people die as a
result from cars, or alcohol, than die from trying to make glass. But I
don't recall anyone being trashed for driving to purchase a piece of
glass.
Thank you for your positive attitude.

George Anderson
Montreal Canada

Clear skies and good health

Mark Suchting wrote:
> 
> These `lets grab a bucket of sand and mold our own blanks' threads always
> amuse and scare me a little .
> 
> When you can buy a precision machined blank, edged , bevelled , back
> blanchard machined, front diamond generated , fine- annealed blank , for
> such a reasonable price from a number of vendors why would you risk your
> life trying to prepare the quality of the above in semi-ignorance with sub
> standard equipment with such a life threatening material. It is the
> finishing that produces a nice blank: the annealing is cheap and the least
> of the expense.  One solid exposure of not fully  filtered glass dust can
> set you up for a life that is cut short by 15 yrs  with emphesema'.
> 
> You might as well join up and and head for Iraq.
> 
> Why the hell would you risk it?
> 
> ~Mark
> 
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