2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class
Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01
Photos by Jay Drew & Francis O'Reilly
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Grinding at Fletcher House
Another winter session at Fletcher House. At this time of year, grinders are scarce - many have moved on to polishing or beyond.
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Grinding at Fletcher House
Jessica (L) and Kris (R) are working on mirrors. Rear center, Rick works on a refractor lens, while Paul talks with him.
Jessica, Paul, Rick & Kris |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Grinding at Fletcher House
Kris grinds her 12-inch mirror - there is a lot of glass to remove for 12-inch f/5, so it has taken her several sessions.
Kris with 12-inch |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Grinding at Fletcher House
Jessica checks for pits holding her mirror blank up to a light.
Jessica checks for Pits |
Polishing and Figuring
Many students where polishing and figuring this session - we don't have photos of all of them. Several are close to completion.
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Polishing and Figuring
Dave demonstrates a technique to Karl, who is working on a 2.5" Elliptical Secondary.
Dave & Karl |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Polishing and Figuring
The 2½-inch secondary is very small and a challenge to hold.
Tiny and Hard to Hold |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Polishing and Figuring
Kenny inspects his mirror in the diffuse sunlight by the window.
Kenny Inspects |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Polishing and Figuring
Doug is polishing his 10-inch; Karl and Kenny work behind him.
Doug Polishes |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Polishing and Figuring
Francis O’Reily, mirror class instructor extraordinaire!
Francis O’Reily |
Little Man Grinding |
Lap Stuff
Lots of polishing and figuring also means lots of wok on laps, much of it in the 'Lap Dungeon' (basement).
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff
Jay Drew, Lap Dungeonmaster, moving supplies in a low-overhead area.
Dungeon Master Jay |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff
David prepares a new lap in the basement.
David's New Lap |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff
George warms up his lap on a microwave turntable he salvaged. Turning it helps prevent hot spots.
George Warms Up |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff
Karl's elliptical secondary on the lap warming turntable.
Karl's Elliptical Secondary |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff
A freshly poured lap cools down in the basement.
Cooling Lap |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff
A big stack of weights cold presses a lap; the black mesh embosses micro-facets into the lap. Doug works in the rear.
Pressing & Microfaciting |
A Keychain-scale Bath Interferometer
Doug brought in this keychain-sized bath interferometer which works well and had quite a few people thinking about how they could make one.
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 A Keychain-scale Bath Interferometer
Keychain size Bath Interferometer top view.
Top View |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 A Keychain-scale Bath Interferometer
Keychain size Bath Interferometer front and top view.
Front and Top View |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 A Keychain-scale Bath Interferometer
Keychain size Bath Interferometer front view.
Front View |
What Else?
What else happened at mirror class? here are a few things that also went on.
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 What Else?
Jeffrey uses a special miter box to saw wood for his octagonal tube in the basement.
Jeffrey Saws |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 What Else?
Carl tested his mirror and it turned out good.
Carl's Good Mirror |
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 What Else?
In the afternoon, some of the Stellafane board of directors met to discuss club business.
Bored Meeting? |
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