From: "Russell Jocoy" 
To: maheald{at}octa4.net.au, atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Russell Jocoy" 






>From: "Mike and Sara" 
>Reply-To: "Mike and Sara" 
>To: 
>Subject: ATM Packaging a convex secondary for aluminizing
>Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2003 11:52:24 +0930
>
>
>Hello!
>
>     My Dall-Kirkham secondary is about done.  What is the best method for
>shipping it for aluminizing to prevent scratches?  I thought I would put
>tape on the flat side and then tape it the bottom of a shallow plastic
>container like Tupperware, put the lid on, then put the container in a
>larger box packed with styrofoam peanuts or equivalent.  That way,
>(hopefully) the disk wouldn't bump around in the small plastic container
>and
>scratch the edge.
>     Any other suggestions?  Best regards.
>
>Mike
>
>
("atm{at}shore.net")

Mike, I have sucessfully sent large pieces of glass via Postal and Fed-X
using large , thick slabs of
"Styrofoam". I work in the aluminum/ screen industry, we always
have scrap material from alunimum
insulated roofs. The panels are 3" thick foam core with .024 aluminum
skin on both sides.
     I take the panel and cut the size I need ( about 2 to 3" larger than
the lens or blank) then
slice the square  through the middle of the foam with a hand saw as square
as possible.
This leaves me two pieces about 1.5" thick, with foam on the inside
and metal skin on the outside.
I take my mirror blank, or Lens in your case and center it on the foam side
and mark the outline.
      You can either grind or sand the foam to 1/2 the depth on each inside
half or use solvent to dissolve
the styrofoam. (this process is a little more gooey but you don't have to
deal with the foam particles
floating around from sanding)
  If you don't have access to these scrap panels, I believe that  2"
styrofoam panels are available at
the depot or lowes.
       Once you form the image of you lens or mirror in the foam , it is
sandwiched together, then armored
with thin paneling on the outside larger top & bottom. If you use the
scrap alumimum panels the alumimum
skin is the armor.   Once you have taped the two halves together with your
glass in the middle, then
box it up as usual ( you can also put it in a bigger box and add peanuts if
you feel the need)
I have found that the glass, no matter how big, if shipped in this process
will make the trip and the
coaters will use the same packing (since it is better than their's) to send
it back to you in one piece.
                                                           Russ Jocoy
PS   you can contact me and I will go into more detail if necessary
("atm{at}shore.net")

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP