From: "Russell Jocoy" 
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Russell Jocoy" 


("atm{at}shore.net")


         Just a little note on my progress after being idle for a few
months.  After polishing thru 5 micron and pleased with the surface, I
decided to experiment with something I read on this website.....
Uh Oh, you in trouble now...  I bought some felt 8x10 sheets at the
wal-store and washed and dried
them .  I then sprayed 3m contact cement on the surface of my existing tool
and felt sheet.
   After pressing and pulling the felt tight, and also wrapping it around
the sides of the tool to make good
contact I sealed them in bags as not to get any unwanted "rocks"
in the mix.
      I am working on two mirrors at the same time, a 9" and a 10" that are
5/8" thick (total edge). I have been using separate tools for each.. a
steel washer tool for the 9" and a tile tool for the 10". I have
supported the glass throughout with carpet in the early stages and foam
shelf liner(which is fantastic, it has memory)
in the polishing stages. I must also add that the mirrors have never left
the table... Tool on top the whole
process... I know this is different but I decided 5/8" glass doesn't
need to be flexed over a solid tool,
it spooks me out. Anyway I am back to todays "felt" polishing....
         I was very surprised with the ease of the tool, I soaked the felt
with CEO and did the standard "W"
stroke, slowly.. 1 second up , 1 second back, with firm pressure and not
overhanging more than an inch.
       After one hour I could see through the glass... I know that this
ain't sh-t but I sure got excited. So much that I set the mirror on my
tester stand and aimed it towards the almost full moon and got an image
through a 25mm eyepiece, (faint and blured out but the image could be made out)
      I set up my tester with the Ronchi screen and actually got some
lines,,, I know, I know it is way
to early to be doing any of this but we ATMer's are very curious animals. I
also know the classic reply
"KEEP POLISHING"  things will change.   Whatever happens I am having fun...
Oh I do plan on using
a pitch lap after the "felt" experiment to round things up and to
figure the surface to Parob...
                                                              RUSS JOCOY
("atm{at}shore.net")





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