Mirror Grinding Machine

[Vince G]

G'day Ed,

I'm seriously thinking of building or buying a 24 inch mirror.
Would you tell me who is making/made yours please?

Vince G

[Orion]

Hi Vince, PM me.

[DaveGee (Dave Gault)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Here's a local one called Donkey.

http://users.tpg.com.au/users/daveg/GMACHINE.html

Hey, that's my machine!

here are some videos of Donkey in action,
rough grinding...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFQ3EkMYnQo

and polishing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVyyrI49LpQ

Donkey does all the err... donkey work however figuring is done by hand.

[Orion]

Hi Dave,
Nice machine. How long did it take you to build it?

[DaveGee (Dave Gault)]

Originally Posted by Orion

Hi Dave,
Nice machine. How long did it take you to build it?

Hi Ed,

About a year I guess, off and on.

[netwolf]

I have read on other forums and ATM site of clubs where people have mirror making classes etc. Do any of the Aussie societies or clubs conduct and facilitate such activities?
This is a Belgian group i found and they have levels you pass through to graduation. The have some great information on mirror making.
http://users.pandora.be/telescoopbouw/
An example Polishing with Pitch
http://users.pandora.be/telescoopbou...et%20pek-e.htm


This is the famous American group known as Stellafane.
http://stellafane.org/
Look here for Telescope making information, very good read.
http://stellafane.org/tm/index.html

Regards
Fahim

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by netwolf

I have read on other forums and ATM site of clubs where people have mirror making classes etc. Do any of the Aussie societies or clubs conduct and facilitate such activities?Regards
Fahim

Ron Royal used to run a mirror grinding/telescope making class at Sydney Observatory. However, I think it ceased about 4 years ago. This was a class which went over about 8 weeks, 1 night a week, where you went and ground your own mirror and built an 8"/F8 scope. It used to cost just over $500 (all materials supplied). It was a great concept but the proliferation of cheap chinese/taiwanese dobs of reasonable quality killed it.

Cheers,
John B

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by netwolf

Do any of the Aussie societies or clubs conduct and facilitate such activities?
Regards
Fahim

The Queensland Telescope Makers club is still active, if you live in Brisbane.

regards,CS

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by netwolf

I have read on other forums and ATM site of clubs where people have mirror making classes etc. Do any of the Aussie societies or clubs conduct and facilitate such activities?
This is a Belgian group i found and they have levels you pass through to graduation. The have some great information on mirror making.
http://users.pandora.be/telescoopbouw/
An example Polishing with Pitch
http://users.pandora.be/telescoopbou...et%20pek-e.htm


This is the infamous American group known as Stellafane.
http://stellafane.org/
Look here for Telescope making information, very good read.
http://stellafane.org/tm/index.html

Regards
Fahim

Fahim what is Infamous about Stellafane
Ron

[netwolf]

Ron, i have edited my post. I meant famous.

[Orion]

This might be the beginning of a grinding machine.

I scored these two motors a couple of days ago.
All I know is that the one on the left is from an old washing machine and it has a gear box!

[cfranks (Charles)]

I made a machine about 20 years ago when I made my first telescope, a 15' dob for the ASSA, As has been mentioned, manual figuring was essential but the machine's turntable was used all the time. The scope is still in use (I think)

I still have the machine and it is available in Adelaide for anyone who might have a need for it.

Charles

[GrahamL]

great to have you aboard Charles the incredible knowledge base of this website just keeps on growing