Unlike the past few years with little snow until late in the winter, this year the white stuff was right on time. Here are some early morning scenes before class starts.
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Winter is On Time this Year
Bunkhouse in Snow Jay walked out to unlock the gate and took this shot.
Bunkhouse in Snow
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Winter is On Time this Year
The Sun Breaks Though! Ken took this after checking on the McGregor.
The Sun Breaks Though!
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Winter is On Time this Year
Make it Passable Site Manger John makes sure there is plenty parking space and clear roads.
Make it Passable
A Busy Bunkhouse
We had a very busy bunkhouse this session, with several accomplished members starting new projects along with our first time mirror makers from the class.
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Focus Check John checks the focal length of Julie's mirror the 'good old fashioned way'
Focus Check
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Flatten it Out Julie works to reduce her focal ratio from f/3 to f/4
Flatten it Out
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Turn it Around Don rotates his mirror between wets.
Turn it Around
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Three Generations Grandmother, Mother and Daughter all work on their mirrors.
Three Generations
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Jeff Bevels his 17" Working wet at the sink, Jeff restores the bevel to his large mirror.
Jeff Bevels his 17"
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Partially Hogged 17" Notice 'the curve' stops about an inch short of the edge.
Partially Hogged 17"
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Gary's 10-Inch Gary is making a short focus 10" - Aperture and Portability!
Gary's 10-Inch
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Phil is Hogging Out Phil is generating the initial curve with a small iron tool.
Phil is Hogging Out
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 A Busy Bunkhouse
Sub-diameter Cast Iron Tool Not for beginners, but a fast way to get a deep curve with coarse grit.
Sub-diameter Cast Iron Tool
Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Here is a nice sequence of Julie pouring a 4-inch pitch lap for here mirror.
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Ready to Start The work area is all set up and ready to start.
Ready to Start
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Good to the Last Drop Emptying the Pitch Pot into the mold.
Good to the Last Drop
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Peeling the Mold After a short cool-down time, the mold is peeled away.
Peeling the Mold
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Groovy! Making the channels with an angled tool.
Groovy!
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Fresh Cerium Oxide After a first press, fresh cerium oxide is applied...
Fresh Cerium Oxide
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Julie Pours a Pitch Lap
Pressing Business ...and the lap is pressed again.
Pressing Business
Springfield Telescope Makers
Candid shots of some club members that were in the bunkhouse on Saturday.
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Springfield Telescope Makers
President John
President John
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Springfield Telescope Makers
VP Jeff
VP Jeff
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 Springfield Telescope Makers
SSD Technician Tom
SSD Technician Tom
The Polishing Room
In the McGregor Observatory Library, there was some intense polishing and figuring, and of course testing to check on the progress.
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 The Polishing Room
Fran Figures He is working down a ring zone at 50% radius.
Fran Figures
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 The Polishing Room
Nice Lap The 12" Lap with clean channels and a partially cored mirror.
Nice Lap
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 The Polishing Room
Louis Polishes Lois is working on a 4-1/4" mirror.
Louis Polishes
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 The Polishing Room
Positioning the Mirror for Testing Isaac measures the Radius of Curvature to set up for Testing his Mirror.
Positioning the Mirror for Testing
2007-2008 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 3 held on 2007-Dec-08 The Polishing Room
Adjusting the Tester Jeremy helps Jay set up the Tester.
