RLWP

How will you know when you have finished, Damian? I'm not familiar with the tests you are using Richard

I have lots of fingers crossed for you Makes this IPad a bit tricky to use, mind Richard

Is that a New Horizons image of the dark side of Pluto? Richard

It sounds like biting the bullet and letting John help you has freed up your head to get on with the rest of the scope. First light is nearer now than it was! Good stuff, Damian - I'm looking forward to sawdust covered posts Richard

Hmm, I have one 5kg and two 10kg. Richard

I wouldn't bother with that old tat. Look, I'll take it off yer hands for a tenner, as a favour, like A MK VI mount!! You lucky.... I notice the weights on your scope are also from a barbell. I was wondering if mine were original, looks like they are Richard

Well, I'm sure we are all hoping for the moment that Damian can say: Sounds about right for a successful first-light test of a hand made mirror Richard

Imitate the action of the tiger, stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Richard

This is an exciting development Richard

I'm quite pleased with the RAF motto, it seems to fit your situation very nicely Nil Desperandum* Richard *Nil Carborundum Illegitimis seems somehow appropriate too

Damian, you aren't going backwards. You've had a bit of practice around the use of fine grits, polishing and mirror measurement. Now you are completing the basic shape and finishing the journey much better prepared than when you started out Per Ardua ad Astra I think you will be surprised how quickly it goes, most of my foul-up rectifications do anyway Richard

What's wrong with the motors then? Richard

Bung them in the car, that way he can advise on the mirror and your tools and techniques as well. After all, it isn't the mirror you need advice on, it's the making of the mirror Richard

Will you be taking your laps as well as the mirror? Richard

Thank you for that - I was expecting to have to do some hard sums Richard