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affordable aluminizing

Started by AndrewC, 03/30/2006 06:50PM
Posted 03/30/2006 06:50PM Opening Post
My search for a quality long focus primary only seems to have turned up many uncoated or badly coated mirrors. (are there any decent COATED mirrors out there?! >sad ) Anyway, if I go ahead and buy one of these mirrors, the first thing to do would be to have it aluminized. I know places like spectrum and Nova would be happy to do it for $100+shipping, but that just seems like a lot to spend on a coating, as good as it may be. Does anyone know of a company that will do this cheaper?(say... $50-60) By the way, an enhanced coating is not required.

Thanks!
-Andrew
Posted 03/30/2006 07:35PM #1
How big is the mirror? L and L optical has quite reasonable prices and quick turn around for standard coating... Of course it depends on the size of the mirror, I think I was quoted under $100 a 12.5 inch. When I was looking for someone to recoat my secondary, I asked Terry O. of Discovery about L&L and his comment was "You will be happy with the job they do." I suspect Discovery may use them since they are just up the road a bit. I think they do a nice job.

www.llopt.com

There is Bob Fies at al coat, he has reasonable prices though when you get the $12 fee for stripping the mirror and the $7 handling fee added in there, his prices are reasonably close to L&L's.

http://home.covad.net/~alcoat/al_1.htm

Jon Isaacs