Mirror Making Seminar

[Glasspusher]

Just got back from an enjoyable weekend in Dalby forest at Scarborough and Ryedale AS Starfest. Pleased to say that there was interest in the mirror making day with three people saying they would attend! Anymore takers? it is not too far off now. John

[Glasspusher]

It is just over 2 weeks to go now until the mirror making seminar on Sunday 22nd September. If you are still in two minds about coming along please decide now as I really need to know numbers in advance for obvious reasons. Some good news, I have received a donation of some mirror blanks ( full details of sizes and condition unknown, but I am sure some will be usable) which will be available free of charge on the day. I will offer the blanks in the order that people register for the day, basically first come first served. Many thanks to Phil Horrocks for the donation on the blanks.

John

[crashtestdummy]

Really looking forward to this john,should be a great eye opener and open up ideas for my next scope.I may even start making a mirror for my 16" lightbtidge to see if I can improve on the standard one with my own hands.hope plenty of people are still attending

[mapstar]

I'm also looking forward to the seminar.Should be an enlightening day and possible start of a new project for me.

[crashtestdummy]

a great day was had by all and I cant recommend this course enough for anyone who either wants to make their own mirror or just for people who would like to understand how optics work.john explained everything in a clear and concise way that everyone could understand and has made it seem much less daunting to make my own mirror.cant wait to start doing my own super sized mirror in the future

[estwing]

great chap John....great mirrors too

[AlexB67]

Shame you're at completely the wrong end of the country for me

James

The same.

As an aside,  I had this very thought a few weeks ago after watching a few videos on the topic on youtube. For the fun of it I would love to do even do a weekly course/workshop or something that covers everything, including testing, a real hands on experience where you end up with your own mirror , though I imagine the costs and logistics of making that happen, having enough interested customers I've no idea if such a thing would be feasible.

[mapstar]

Great day I agree and one to take lots of thought from.

Excellent, friendly and very easy to listen to, thoroughly nice chap who know's his mirrors the history and story behind optics.

Nice to meet some fellow astronomers too who were all keen and enthusiastic about what John is teaching and trying to keep alive.

[Glasspusher]

Thanks for the kind comments guys, glad you enjoyed the day and got something out of it. I would certainly consider doing it again next year if the interest is there. Please feel free to get in touch at any time if you are interested.

Thanks, John.

[allotmenteer]

Have read your posts (and others in this forum) and would be very interested in attending one of your courses. Unfortunately I am another Southerner (OXON). Maybe you could be persuaded to come down here for a day?

Would love to give this a go by starting small and then aiming for something I couldn't afford to buy otherwise but a bit daunted by the cost of setting up and having a go at a 6 or 8" blank.

Please bear me in mind if you do organise anything else.

Regards

Mark

[Glasspusher]

Hi Mark,

I would not rule out doing something in the 'South' if the interest was there, but I would need a suitable venue and then I would have to get the gear there!!

If anybody is interested in attending another mirror making day at the same location as last year, i.e. Stockton-On-Tees, please let me know. Thanks.

John

[crashtestdummy]

I would definately go to another John

[Demon Barber]

Hi John,would like to attend this one as i was away last year!

Regards

Mike

[mapstar]

Count me in as my 22" may need a bit of testing by then and be good to do it in front of a few interested people

[crashtestdummy]

Just what I was thinking it should also be good to show people that anyone can have a go

[astronymonkey]

I was busy when the workshop was on but would be interested in coming along to the next one.

cheers,

ian

[allotmenteer]

Hi John - I  could travel even though it's a fair way. Maybe there's someone else from the area who might share the drive but would be interested.

Thanks for reply.

Mark

[allotmenteer]

I am struggling a bit with working out how much a project to make an 8" inch mirror might cost - I spoke to Galvoptics (who were very helpful) and they seemed to suggest the cost for the blank would be about £100+ VAT + P&P so around £150 but this doesn't seem to stack up with their web page prices - even though they said they were out of date.

Adding grits (which I haven't been able to gauge how much is required) and mirror coating I wonder how much it would get to.

Some guides form you guys who have been down this road would be appreciated!

Thanks

Mark

[crashtestdummy]

You can get an 8" blank in 25mm plate glass for £50 Inc postage and that's from galvoptics.I'm surprised you found them helpfull,I never have done!!!one thing for sure,just because they advertise it on their website doesn't mean they can supply you it!!

[crashtestdummy]

From what I've been told there is a general rule :if you are making it yourself to save money then don't bother,you probably won't.

[Astrobits]

From what I've been told there is a general rule :if you are making it yourself to save money then don't bother,you probably won't.

Yes. We cannot compete with the cheap Chinese offerings on price.

However, a mirror made by yourself will provide you with:

Bragging Rights

Much increased knowledge of mirrors and testing

Probably a better quality of mirror ( if not the first then the second/third etc.)

A telescope to suit your requirements.

Go for it

Nigel

[crashtestdummy]

That's the reason I'm doing it,to be able to say that it's a mirror I made with my own sweat,blood and tears.

[Glasspusher]

Very nicely put Nigel. Good  to see that there is some interest in a repeat session this year, I will be firming up plans for a meeting in the Autumn. If anyone else is interested in attending the day please make it known here, it helps me judge the level of interest. Thanks.

John

[allotmenteer]

I get your points and agree with 'bragging rights' idea (assuming it works!). How does it work with the aluminisation, haven't seen any prices for this but assume it's done on an area basis, how much would an 8" mirror be approximately?

I think I had realised a smaller mirror would not be a saving but was hoping to get to a larger one (definitely not 22"!) which hopefully would be a saving.

I had seen this site in the US offering 8" blanks for around £30 inc posting in the US - do you have any experience of them?

www.telescopemirrorblanks.com (did email them but no reply as yet so not too encouraging).

Presumably you can get hold of the components (secondary mirror / focuser etc.) easily from specialist suppliers?

Hope you don't mind the q's but like to know roughly where I'm aiming for - hopefully will have something to look through by next winter.

Cheers again

Mark

[crashtestdummy]

http://www.scientificmirrors.co.uk/Aluminising.html  rough guide for aluminising prices.other coaters are available but this will give you an idea.

secondaries for an 8" scope are likely to be more expensive than the primary as you will need to purchase a ready made one rather than make it yourself.

from what ive seen its only around 18" and above where the savings start to be noticable