From: "Dave McCarter" 
To: "Scott Berfield" ,
        "ATM list" 
Reply-To: "Dave McCarter" 


Texereau where he advocates chewing the pitch to test it (maybe not).

I use the finger nail test. Press your fingernail into the pitch and
observe how much of a dent is made in 10 to 20 seconds. Hard pitch won't
dent at all, just right will give a mm of a dent in 20 seconds, and your
finger will reach bottom in soft pitch. Well maybe not.

I used a rather hard pitch lap for polishing out as there is less chance
for zoning and turned edge, and you can really turn on the machine or get
aggressive with the strokes. Just make sure it is well warm pressed and in
great contact.

I strongly believe in 50% soft laps, cut with a star cross hatch channels
and tool on top for figuring. The stroke is off set and 2/3 diameter, from
edge to past centre, and will parabolize smoothly. Don't rotate the lap
while figuring. Cold press often, and keep the channels open.

Hope that helps.
Dave

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP