2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21
Photos by Jay Drew, Ken Slater & Dave Tabor 2007-Oct-21
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Session 1: A New Class
This is our ninth annual mirror class and the seventh we have run in the bunkhouse. It also marks Jay Drew's first mirror class as class leader.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Session 1: A New Class
One Dozen 8" Kits Tom Gorka has assembled a dozen new kits to supply the class.
One Dozen 8" Kits
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Session 1: A New Class
Jay Drew, Class Leader Jay gives the introductory talk to this year's class
Jay Drew, Class Leader
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Session 1: A New Class
The Attentive Class Assembled in the bunkhouse, the new class listens to the orientation talk.
The Attentive Class
Beveling the Mirror Edge
Beveling the edge helps to prevent chips and cracks. We use a carborundum stone and water bucket for this task.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Beveling the Mirror Edge
Don & Steve Steve bevels while Don observes his technique.
Don & Steve
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Beveling the Mirror Edge
Samantha bevels her 4" blank
Samantha bevels her 4" blank
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Beveling the Mirror Edge
Joe Bevels in the Bunkhouse
Joe Bevels in the Bunkhouse
Plenty of Activity Outside
While it was cooler than many first class sessions, the sun was out and it was warm enough for many students to want to work outside.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Plenty of Activity Outside
Most Grinders work Outside It's a very nice fall day at Stellafane!
Most Grinders work Outside
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Plenty of Activity Outside
Steve, Janet and Anne at work Getting the feel of grinding
Steve, Janet and Anne at work
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Plenty of Activity Outside
Isaac grinding away on a bench
Isaac grinding away on a bench
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Plenty of Activity Outside
George working outside He is grinding on the T-shirt sales table.
George working outside
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Plenty of Activity Outside
Rick and George
Rick and George
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Plenty of Activity Outside
Samantha and her 4" She is using a very nice grooved glass tool.
Samantha and her 4"
Tool Making
A couple of students made tools on the first day, using dental stone, tiles and epoxy.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Tool Making
Randall & Wayne Wayne is pouring a dental stone tool for Randall
Randall & Wayne
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Tool Making
Bubbles Be Gone! Wayne uses a stick to get out the bubbles and level the surface
Bubbles Be Gone!
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Tool Making
George makes a Tile Tool He is laying out hexagonal tiles before epoxying them into place.
George makes a Tile Tool
Checking Sagitta
We urge students to check their depth of curve often. Here we see several students using our bar spherometer to check their progress.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Checking Sagitta
Samantha & Dave Dad helps Samantha check her depth.
Samantha & Dave
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Checking Sagitta
Isaac & Junie Doing a rough check of depth and spread.
Isaac & Junie
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Checking Sagitta
George checks his sagitta Tom and Junie look on
George checks his sagitta
Testing for Full Contact
Once the proper depth of curve is achieved, making sure you are ground out to the edge of the mirror is next. For this check, the pencil or "Sharpie" test is used, drawing a grid on the mirror and checking for even wear.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Testing for Full Contact
The "Sharpie" Test Samantha draws a grid on her mirror in order to check mirror/tool contact.
The "Sharpie" Test
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Testing for Full Contact
Good Contact! The grid has worn evenly over the entire mirror.
Good Contact!
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Testing for Full Contact
Brad & Isaac Brad makes a point while Isaac grinds on the bench.
Brad & Isaac
Polishing, Testing & Figuring
Most of our returning students are polishing or figuring, and there was much work at the McGregor Observatory in this area. Dave Siegrist (ATMoB) brought an interesting, original testing aid: A really thin mask or a really hefty pin stick!
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Polishing, Testing & Figuring
Eileen's New Lap Eileen is channeling her brand new lap,
Eileen's New Lap
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Polishing, Testing & Figuring
Eileen & Joyce Both are Polishing in the McGregor Library. Scott's lap is pressing in the foreground.
Eileen & Joyce
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Polishing, Testing & Figuring
Scott Polishes Scott also poured a new lap, and he is working it into good contact after pressing.
Scott Polishes
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Polishing, Testing & Figuring
Two Twelve's Fran & Dave work on their 12.5" mirrors, while Glenn watches.
Two Twelve's
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Polishing, Testing & Figuring
Three Daves Everyone in this picture is named Dave! They are adjusting the mirror tester.
Three Daves
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21Polishing, Testing & Figuring
A Great New Idea! Dave Siegrist came up with this great new idea" It lets you see much more of the mirror surface while testing (like a pin stick), but defines the zones very well (like a mask).
A Great New Idea!
A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
What's in the heavy crate? A 35"x6" Cervit blank, which was damaged a had the cracked part cut off! We want to slice it into three 2" slabs, and cut three 25" mirror blanks out of it. This side project was to unload and store the blank while Wayne builds a wire saw.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
Dave S & Wayne Holding the ramps in place.
Dave S & Wayne
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
Dave P gets ready... ...to move the crated blank.
Dave P gets ready...
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
Rick keeps it lined up while Dave P inches it forward.
Rick keeps it lined up
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
Gravity did it's Work Once on the ramp, it slide down quickly, no time for photos!
Gravity did it's Work
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
Now that's a piece of Glass! Cervit 101, 35" major diameter, 25" minor diameter, 6" thick.
Now that's a piece of Glass!
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank!
There they go! The usual suspects make their getaway after storing the Cervit blank.
There they go!
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