The Weather Outside is Frightful!
its winter in New England, snow and ice everywhere. Can't get up to Stellafane,
so we held mirror class in the Fletcher House facility in Chester. |
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Cold & Ice... |
...Snowbound Cars... |
...Fletcher House is Inviting... |
...Grinding Benches Ready... |
...Tester Ready... |
...Lets Hold Mirror Class!
(Hold it and they will come) |
Three New Mirror Makers
We were pleased to welcome three new mirror makers to our class: Christy, Gary and Randy. |
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Wayne helps Christy with Beveling |
Tom get Randy started with his first wet |
Gary concentrates on hogging out his mirror |
Ken explains grinding technique to Christy |
Gary & Randy at work |
Ken checks Christy's Sagitta |
Old Hands at Grinding
Students who started earlier in the year continue grinding.
All are hogged out and are at various stages of fine grinding. |
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Rick, Anne & Dave |
Rick prepares a wet |
Rick Fine Grinding |
Anne is Fine Grinding |
Kim prepares a wet |
Happy to Move On |
Sleuthing for Pits
Before you change grits, you need to make sure you have no larger pits left.
Here 3 of our students check for pits before moving on. |
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CSI Stellafane |
Dave sleuths for pits |
Wayne & Anne |
Lapland
Well, it's not really that cold and icy in Vermont.
We have our own version of Lap Land, laps seem to be everywhere this weekend. |
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A pretty new Molded Lap |
Samantha spreads CeO |
A 6-Inch Lap |
Cold Pressing |
Alex presses his 6" Lap |
A Light Press |
Polishing & Figuring
All those laps were put to good use Polishing & Figuring a lot of mirrors. |
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Ray talks with Dave |
Laying on of Hands |
Fran Figuring |
Massaging the Polisher |
Samantha Polishes |
Alex Polishes |
Testing
We tried using an extension ladder for alignment, and worked out.
We need to stiffen the joint, but it definitely helped keep the optics in line. |
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Jeff, Jeff & Dave |
Dave adjusts his tester |
Tweak it more, Dave |
Science & History
Young Alex did some experimental work in levitating a paper clip with magnets.
We also had a historic Unitron refractor at the class. |
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Alex and his experiment |
Levitation |
Classic Unitron Refractor |
Heading Home
At the end of class, it's time to clean up and pack up.
Transporting grinding benches is always a challenge. |
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Dennis washes up |
Packing a small car full |
Bench on the Roof |
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