2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class
Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21

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-21 Session 1: A New Class One Dozen 8" Kits Tom Gorka has assembled a dozen new kits to supply the class.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Session 1: A New Class Jay Drew, Class Leader Jay gives the introductory talk to this year's class

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Session 1: A New Class The Attentive Class Assembled in the bunkhouse, the new class listens to the orientation talk.

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-21 Beveling the Mirror Edge Don & Steve Steve bevels while Don observes his technique.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Beveling the Mirror Edge Samantha bevels her 4" blank

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Beveling the Mirror Edge 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-21 Plenty of Activity Outside Most Grinders work Outside It's a very nice fall day at Stellafane!	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Plenty of Activity Outside Steve, Janet and Anne at work Getting the feel of grinding	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Plenty of Activity Outside Isaac grinding away on a bench
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Plenty of Activity Outside George working outside He is grinding on the T-shirt sales table.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Plenty of Activity Outside Rick and George	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Plenty of Activity Outside Samantha and her 4" She is using a very nice grooved glass tool.

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-21 Tool Making Randall & Wayne Wayne is pouring a dental stone tool for Randall

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Tool Making Bubbles Be Gone! Wayne uses a stick to get out the bubbles and level the surface

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Tool Making George makes a Tile Tool He is laying out hexagonal tiles before epoxying them into place.

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-21 Checking Sagitta Samantha & Dave Dad helps Samantha check her depth.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Checking Sagitta Isaac & Junie Doing a rough check of depth and spread.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Checking Sagitta George checks his sagitta Tom and Junie look on

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-21 Testing for Full Contact The "Sharpie" Test Samantha draws a grid on her mirror in order to check mirror/tool contact.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Testing for Full Contact Good Contact! The grid has worn evenly over the entire mirror.

2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Testing for Full Contact Brad & Isaac Brad makes a point while Isaac grinds on the bench.

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-21 Polishing, Testing & Figuring Eileen's New Lap Eileen is channeling her brand new lap,	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Polishing, Testing & Figuring Eileen & Joyce Both are Polishing in the McGregor Library. Scott's lap is pressing in the foreground.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Polishing, Testing & Figuring Scott Polishes Scott also poured a new lap, and he is working it into good contact after pressing.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Polishing, Testing & Figuring Two Twelve's Fran & Dave work on their 12.5" mirrors, while Glenn watches.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Polishing, Testing & Figuring Three Daves Everyone in this picture is named Dave! They are adjusting the mirror tester.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 Polishing, 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 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-21 A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank! Dave S & Wayne  Holding the ramps in place.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank! Dave P gets ready... ...to move the crated blank.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank! Rick keeps it lined up while Dave P inches it forward.
2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank! Gravity did it's Work Once on the ramp, it slide down quickly, no time for photos!	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank! Now that's a piece of Glass! Cervit 101, 35" major diameter, 25" minor diameter, 6" thick.	2006-2007 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 1 held on 2006-Oct-21 A 35" x 6" Cervit Blank! There they go! The usual suspects make their getaway after storing the Cervit blank.