From: "Thomas Janstrom" 
To: "atm" ,
        
Reply-To: "Thomas Janstrom" 


Kevin,

One thing to remember about Mylar is that, as Gary has mentioned, it is
rather stretchy. That said, once it is stretched there is a critical point
just before material failure when all the molecules in the plastic are
alined. If you could RELIABLY tension the tape to this point and no further
then your in business. BTW I think from memory the thickness of the tape is
5 microns....

Clear skies, Thomas
http://www.tjanstrom.com
"Don't make me set the laser printer to stun"

----- Original Message -----
From: 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 6:31 AM Subject: ATM Two Ideas


>
>
> I'm not smoking anything.
>
> I have obtained several pieces of highly polished marble.  One piece will
become a reference slab for machine work and other measurements I may need
to take that need a mechanically flat surface.  The others will become the
basis of a new Focault tester.  Think it will work?
>
> The second idea is a little stranger.
>
> I have read about many different spider vane materials, from mild steel to
guitar strings to brass to a single thick post.  I may take the guitar
string idea a step further with the use of .75" width, .5 mil VCR
tape. It's mylar and very strong.  I'm wondering if this material will work
to support a diagonal or Cassegrainian mirror in a smallish (8" to
14") telescope?  Has anyone tried this?
>
> Kevin of Eastern Iowa
> Seeker of the Darkness
>
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>

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