2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class
Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01

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.

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.

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.

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.	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.	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.
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.	2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Polishing and Figuring Francis O’Reily, mirror class instructor extraordinaire!

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.	2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff David prepares a new lap in the basement.	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.
2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff Karl's elliptical secondary on the lap warming turntable.	2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 Lap Stuff A freshly poured lap cools down in the basement.	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.

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.

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.

2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 A Keychain-scale Bath Interferometer Keychain size Bath Interferometer 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.

2013-14 Stellafane Mirror Class Session 6 held on 2014-Mar-01 What Else? Carl tested his mirror and it turned out good.

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.