Mirror refurbishing NZ?

Finite (John) · #1 21-02-2016, 08:42 PM

Hi folks, I have bought a big old 23" dob I wish to refurbish. First-up I'd like to get the mirrors both re-coated, - I am in NZ though! Can anyone point me in the direction of someone who can aluminize here?

Also any advice on removing the remains of the existing coating would be gratefully received. I don't know whether these are silvered or aluminised.

About thirty years ago I cleaned up a 6" and a 8" mirror then had them recoated by a company which did vacuum deposition in Auckland, but they are long gone. I have tried Kiwistar Optics some weeks ago but got no response to my email.

Any suggestions?

regards, John

pixelsaurus (Mike) · #2 21-02-2016, 09:37 PM

For that size, I believe Kiwistar may be your only option, and it won't be cheap. From memory it used to be $700 odd setup charge and aluminizing on top. Another option may be to silver the mirror. I believe there are kits available online.
A member of this forum maybe able to point you in the right direction
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/member.php?u=9065

Finite (John) · #3 22-02-2016, 06:49 AM

Thanks Mike, I'll pm him and see if he is willing to silver the monster for me.

I do remember the last mirror I had done was at someones home in Te Atatu South, Auckland, but that was 30+ years ago so I've lost his details..!

pixelsaurus (Mike) · #4 22-02-2016, 08:14 AM

Peter Wilde in Palmy used to do mirrors up to 14". I heard he had some leaks in his plant and was out of commission. I don't know if the issue has been resolved. Clive Rowe down south "inherited" all the old Mt John gear but I have heard it leaked and was not worth the repair. It seems our options are limited these days.

Peter Brock lives up your way. I think he makes large mirrors so he might be worth a try. He has to get them coated somewhere. No details for him I'm sorry though he does frequent other forums.

dave brock · #5 22-02-2016, 04:16 PM

Hmm.
Dave Brock here (Hamilton).
When I had my 20" recoated in Nov. 2014 Kiwi Star charged $20 per inch/dia. + gst. There has never to my knowledge been a setup fee on top.
Do you know how good the figure is on the mirror? Is it the one Chris O'Conner was selling a little while back?

Dave

N1 (Mirko) · #6 22-02-2016, 05:05 PM

Went to KiwiStar after doing some research.
It's under the umbrella of Callaghan Innovation.
Had an 18" recoated there 3 months ago. Total cost was $400 incl. GST.
Graeme is great to work with.

John, see PM

Finite (John) · #7 22-02-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave brock

Hmm.
Dave Brock here (Hamilton).
When I had my 20" recoated in Nov. 2014 Kiwi Star charged $20 per inch/dia. + gst. There has never to my knowledge been a setup fee on top.
Do you know how good the figure is on the mirror? Is it the one Chris O'Conner was selling a little while back?

Dave

Hi Dave, yes that's the one. Chris was of the impression the mirror was figured by Graham Loftus, whom I understand used to produce some large mirrors in short time, and I have to confess I wouldn't know how to tell good it is even if the mirror had an excellent coating (it doesn't, it is deteriorating). Have you seen the mirror? At only $340 I couldn't resist picking up the telescope to have a play with.

Finite (John) · #8 22-02-2016, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1

Went to KiwiStar after doing some research.
It's under the umbrella of Callaghan Innovation.
Had an 18" recoated there 3 months ago. Total cost was $400 incl. GST.
Graeme is great to work with.

John, see PM

Thanks Mirko, I have seen and replied. Cheers!

Finite (John) · #9 22-02-2016, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelsaurus

Peter Wilde in Palmy used to do mirrors up to 14". I heard he had some leaks in his plant and was out of commission. I don't know if the issue has been resolved. Clive Rowe down south "inherited" all the old Mt John gear but I have heard it leaked and was not worth the repair. It seems our options are limited these days.

Peter Brock lives up your way. I think he makes large mirrors so he might be worth a try. He has to get them coated somewhere. No details for him I'm sorry though he does frequent other forums.

Hi Mike, I see Dave Brock has responded to this forum thread. Thanks for the headsup - it's exactly the sort of info I need as I really don't know where to start. There could be someone local(ish), and if so I'm sure someone of Iceinspace will know! Several months ago I trawled through the forum looking for details, took me so long I thought then I'd ask for help straight up this time. I do seem to recall from that first hunt that Clive Rowe was non-operative now. I may be wrong. I am likely driving to Queenstown at the end of this week, so a visit to Kiwi Star might be on the cards.

pixelsaurus (Mike) · #10 22-02-2016, 10:10 PM

Cheers. Sorry I got Dave Brock's name wrong. I was just going to post a correction but I see he has beaten me to it. Sorry Dave.

dave brock · #11 23-02-2016, 03:58 PM

No problem Mike.
I once lied on national television (It's in the bag) by saying Peter Brock was my Uncle

Dave

Finite (John) · #12 23-02-2016, 06:38 PM

I think it would be quite frightening to get a message from Peter Brock

Finite (John) · #13 23-02-2016, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave brock

No problem Mike.
I once lied on national television (It's in the bag) by saying Peter Brock was my Uncle

Dave

Ha! You might even get a message from Selwyn Toogood, after that confession...or was it the newer show?

dave brock · #14 23-02-2016, 08:27 PM

The newer show. About 25 years ago. Tinsley I think.
Went something like...
Next up David Brock, any relation to Peter Brock?
Yeah he's my Uncle.
Really?
No
(Lots of laughter from the audience).

I ended up turning down $500 and won a road map.
I guess he got the last laugh.

Dave

Finite (John) · #15 01-03-2016, 08:40 PM

I got side-tracked whilst travelling the Sth Island, and have ended up buying a 20" dob...now all I have to do is fit it in with my luggage 😕

Finite (John) · #16 01-03-2016, 08:42 PM

But I don't have to recoat this scopes mirror or rebuild it...!

dave brock · #17 02-03-2016, 02:42 PM

I saw on TradeMe that you bought the 20".
I'm sure it'll end up being a lot better than the 23".
Well done.

Dave

Finite (John) · #18 02-03-2016, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave brock

I saw on TradeMe that you bought the 20".
I'm sure it'll end up being a lot better than the 23".
Well done.

Dave

Thanks Dave, am looking forward to it. I wonder which suitcases I'll have to bin to fit the scope in the car. I'm meeting up with the seller tomorrow evening or Friday morning. I would still be keen to meet up with you to have a look at your scope and get some pointers on how to analyze the quality of the 23".

pixelsaurus (Mike) · #19 03-03-2016, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finite

Thanks Dave, am looking forward to it. I wonder which suitcases I'll have to bin to fit the scope in the car.

Why do you need a suitcase? Most people just fill them with rubbish they never use.

Finite (John) · #20 03-03-2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelsaurus

Why do you need a suitcase? Most people just fill them with rubbish they never use.

You're right! My wifes suitcase it is then.