From: "Ken Reid" 
To: "Matthew L. Brown" ,
        
Reply-To: "Ken Reid" 


Hello ATMers,
    I have a couple of Novice observations and a question.
    Polishing was (is)  fun, (contrary to Texereau's appeal not to test)
when happy  chasing shapes in the hope of learning something. Shying away
from TOT (reason?) kept me polishing for 20 hrs.,  before  finding  that a
somewhat balance of MOT,  TOT  seemed to be a  way of staying close to
spherized and determining the length of  that 1/3 w stoke which seems short
and elusive.  (10" f/6 mirror).
    My pitch lap however, was my nemesis, I think? Gump's perdition. It's
Portland cement and water, 1 1/2" thick.  I used Gulgotz 64, 
3/4" squares according to Tex. They  imprinted by thumbnail in a few
seconds. It pressed O.K., sort of,  never did get to trim the lap.   I
found it too easy to
damage  with a chordal stroke or when placing the mirror MOT.  Brittle?
(I'm determined  to wipe Cerox and rouge on with a brush). When attempting
figuring,  I couldn't get the centre down.  Zones 1&2 locked together.
I also lost the edge (too much chasing around). Then,  final justice. What
probability predicts when you have to handle something too many times. (The
don't ask).  Anyway, for my next, better, easier attempt should I mix some
turpentine with the pitch? Is figuring a bear down fight even with a good
lap? How about a 3/4 size lap as well as a full size? There doesn't seem to
be much traffic on figuring. Back to lurking. Thanks for all you do. You're
a great group!
Regardes,
KR

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP