Re: [ATM] glass or ceramic blank?

[Mike Lockwood <melockwo@uiuc.edu>]

Hi,

For tile tools, I use Hydrostone and I really like it.  It is thin 
when you pour it so bubbles and voids are quite easy to avoid.  Some 
good instructions, including mixing ratio (3:1 weight, powder to 
water) and a formula for the number of pounds of powder needed for a 
certain sized disk, are found at

   http://www.kupercontrols.com/tiletool.htm

It usually takes it about 10-15 minutes to set up, so there's plenty 
of time to vibrate out air bubbles and clean up.  I made my own 
stirring device for a drill using a threaded rod and some bent pieces 
of 1/8" thick, 1" wide aluminum.

Some pictures of a 10" tool we made are at

   http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~uias/astropics/2003/20031203/

I use sheets of 1" square porcelain tiles.  These are harder than 
regular ceramic, and grind away slower.  I had to order them through a 
local tile store, but the price was better than other places I've 
looked (Willman-Bell).  They're really easy to use when they're still 
hooked together.

I take an orbital sander (outside) and sand the disk smooth when it's 
cured.  Round off the back corner to make it easy on your hands.

All the Hydrostone disks I have are holding up quite well.

	Mike Lockwood


Lawrence Sayre wrote:
> I spoke with a US Gypsum sales rep once and he told me their Hydrocal 
> line is where their dental stone stems from.  Their Hydrostone material 
> is a superior product overall for our purposes.
> Lawrence Sayre


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