mirror grinding and polishing machine

Hey Dave,Floyd,and all you other veteran telescope builders.I have built a couple dobs and so enjoy watching them come to life,but is there a way to kind of maybe jury-rig a machine to grind and polish my own mirrors for personal use? If so what will I need to do it? I know it would be kind of complicated but I dont have any place around here that even knows what a telescope looks like I dont think.What type motor and gears for proper speed,pressure etc.Is there a book maybe on the subject on building your own machine?I have'nt been doing much viewing for a while because of the persistent fog and humidity,now we have Ernesto screwing everything up even here in Kentucky.I'm going crazy and this thought hit when wanting go ahead and build another telescope and cheking out all the mirrors,some at really good deals but then I thought that after maybe ruining a couple blanks I might be able to get a decent mirror ground to within pretty good specs.Maybe this is a pipe dream but I'd really like to try it.No laughing please.Clear skies,Darrell Hensley

Making a machine is a realistic goal. However, it may not be practical for a samll number of mirrors.

Wlliam-Bell carries a book, it is dated but still has some useful info. You may be able to find a copy on AM if you put out an ad. I am sure there are others. Maybe someone else will suggest something different.

"Advanced Telescope Making Techniques, Volume 2"

good luck.
dan

Darrell:

A week or so ago a guy advertised a home made mirror grinding machine on Craigs list here in San Diego, he wanted $50 for it. I think it had a 10 inch max or something. The ad is gone but I doubt he sold it so if you are interested, I could try to run him down...

Jon