Very good turnout this session (helped by good weather reports). We set up in the Fletcher House, and our early arrivals got a head start. By noon, the room was full.
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Setup
Setup complete, Rob got here early and is already at work while Ray, Dave & Ken chat by the tester.
Ready to Go
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Setup
By 10:00, our nominal starting time, students begin to arrive and set up (the clock had not been set since the last power failure)
Students Arrive
Little Man Grinding
Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Lots of activity with people rough and fine grinding on small and big mirrors, checking for contact, checking for sagitta, checking for pits. It's nice to see so much going on!
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Ben is finishing up with his last silicon carbide grit at the beginning of class.
Ben Grinds
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Karl is taking a careful look at his mirror before starting to grind.
Karl Inspects
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Jeffery is work with #220 grit.
Jeffery Grinds
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Tristan is preparing to test contact by drawing a grid on his mirror.
Tristan Tests
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Ray talks to Ben about using Aluminum Oxide grit.
Ray & Ben
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Luke is checking his sagitta as Tristan looks on. Paul (left) has some lunch, and Rick (right) is unpacking his tester.
Checking Sag
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Paul is checking a 6-inch mirror for pits with a magnifier concealed by his hand.
Pity Paul
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Dave checks for pits on the 6" mirror, looking through it at a light source.
Pity Dave
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Josh brings in his 24-inch mirror as Phil get a mat down for it.
Big Glass
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
The grinding stand for the 24-inch is in place, awaiting a top.
Big Stand
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
Josh grinds the 24-inch mirror with an 18-inch tool.
Josh Grinds
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Grinding, Small and Large, Rough and Fine
It takes a lot of grit to do one wet on a 24-inch mirror.
A Lot of Grit
Polishing
Only Rob and Ed were polishing this time around, here are a few photos of them at work.
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Polishing
Rob is pressing his lap before starting work this day.
Rob Patiently Presses
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Polishing
Ed is polishing, getting close to being done.
Ed Polishes
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Polishing
Down in the "Lap Dungeon", Rob is opening the channels in his lap.
Rob Channels
Plenty of Good Food
With leftovers from the STM planning meeting the night before, and lamb stew too, we had quite a feast when lunch time came around.
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Plenty of Good Food
Dave pulls the plastic wrap off the lasagna, and prepares to put the ladle in the salad dressing.
Dave Sets Up
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Plenty of Good Food
A special treat, some Lamb Stew, brought in by a student's family.
Lamb Stew
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 Plenty of Good Food
Lots of good food for hungry mirror makers (and instructors!). Lunch time!
Lots to Eat!
People and Projects
As usual, there was plenty of time for people to socialize, or STM members to work their project or show off the results.
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 People and Projects
Rick is working on his 4½-inch refractor.
Rick's Refractor
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 People and Projects
Paul chats with Ben's family in the lobby.
In the Lobby
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 People and Projects
Dave, Ray & Dick listen as Ken describes something using his hands.
Ken Gestures
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 People and Projects
Ed takes a break from polishing and talks with Dave.
Ed & Dave
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 People and Projects
Dick made this ¾-scale regulator for his ¾-scale model of the refractor in the Seagrave Observatory.
Regulator
2011-12 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 4 held on 2012-Jan-29 People and Projects
Jay watches as Dick works on the club's 16-inch mirror.
