Re: ATM Best lap-making methods

[ehs@teleport.com (Ed Stevens)]

>Later I read an article in ATM which described how to make a
>lap by pouring a layer of pitch onto a cookie sheet, and
>cutting shapes out with a cookie-cutter while the pitch was
>still warm.  For this 4" mirror, I was thinking of using a
>"cookie cutter" made from a 3/8" or 1/2" diameter brass tube
>to cut small circles or squares, to use as facets.  Or I
>could use a cork-borer on the warm pitch.
>
>Other methods--channeling with a hot wire, using a makeshift
>mat made from silicone caulk, the Texereau method of casting
>strips and cutting them into squares.

I just read somewhere about using the sides of a plastic laundry basket as
a mold to press squares into the pitch while it's still warm.  It sounds
great to me.  I think I found it at the ATM web site
http://www.tiac.net/users/atm/ (yup, I just checked it and found the
article in Optical Miscellany.  Try it and see what you think.  I'm
certainly going to try it on my next lap.

ES