2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class
Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17

by Jay Drew & Ken Slater 2009-Oct-17

New Space

This year, we did rough grinding in the Pavilion, saving the Bunkhouse for Fine Grinding and the McGregor for Polishing/Figuring/Testing. As you can see, we hung plastic sheeting and used a propane 'bullet' heater for warmth. Worked out just fine!

Beveling

The first step on a new mirror is to bevel the edge of the mirror and tool to reduce the possibility of chipping.

2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Beveling Jay demonstrates Beveling Jay demonstrates Beveling	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Beveling Randy & Cecilia Checking their grooved glass tools Randy & Cecilia	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Beveling Randy Bevels with Gusto! Randy Bevels with Gusto!
2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Beveling Katie bevels with a small stone. Katie bevels with a small stone.	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Beveling Yash is a blur of energy! Yash is a blur of energy!	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Beveling Nicholas & John Nicholas & John

Grinding Away

With bevels complete, the new class started grind away in the Pavilion.

2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Dave demos the Chordal Stroke What we use to hog out a lot of glass in a hurry! Dave demos the Chordal Stroke	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Dave, Ryan & Michael Dave demonstrates, Ryan observes and Michael works along Dave, Ryan & Michael	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Cecilia, Katie & Ken Ken is showing Katie the basics of doing a wet. Cecilia, Katie & Ken
2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Jeff at work Jeff at work	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Ryan & Michael at work Ryan & Michael at work	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Nancy grinding on a bench Nancy grinding on a bench
2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Nicholas, John, Ryan & Michael Nicholas, John, Ryan & Michael	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Ray shows Peter how to measure Ray shows Peter how to measure	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Tools of the Trade We are using grooved glass tools this year. Tools of the Trade
2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Getting ready for a Sharpie Test By the way the marks are ground off, we can tell where we have good tool-mirror contact. Getting ready for a Sharpie Test	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Almost Flat Francis is making a flat from this previously curved piece of Pyrex. Almost Flat	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Grinding Away Francis talks with Ken Francis talks with Ken

Lap Making in the Bunkhouse

Several pitch laps were made in the bunkhouse for returning students who where polishing or figuring.

Polishing, Figuring & Testing

We had a few returning students that were polishing, figuring and testing in the McGregor Observatory.

Other Events this Day

There is usually lots of other activity on Mirror Class day, and these photos show some of them.

2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Other Events this Day Tour Leader Ken Ken gave a small tour of the National Historic Landmark at lunch break. Tour Leader Ken	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Other Events this Day Winter Parking John got the heavy equipment under cover for winter. Winter Parking	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Other Events this Day Motley Crew? Don, Rick & Paul outside the McGregor Motley Crew?
2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Other Events this Day Testing a Window This potential optical window was being tested for parallel, flat sides. We are hoping to use it in the domed observatory. Testing a Window	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Other Events this Day Rick Testing Rich is looking for fringes in this autocollimation test. Rick Testing	2009-2010 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2009-Oct-17 Other Events this Day Stellafane Crescent Wrench Ray demonstrates how it works. Stellafane Crescent Wrench