mirrorkits.com

Hello to all,
In the recent "14 inch 1" thick plate mirror" thread I saw the site in the subject line. I had not known of this site until now. I am not an ATM in the sense that I have never made a complete scope but it is one of the dreams I have always had. I really dream of building a 12" newt to put on my G11 and image with. Until now I had always looked at sites offering kits that were in the 4-500 dollar range. To find this site was interesting. Of course the more expensive sites were Pyrex but I am wondering what all of you experienced ATM'ers have to say about the sites offerings. I have been in the process of gathering information for this project for a year or two now and can see it becoming a reality at a point in the not too distant future.

I have read many of the sites on the ATM web ring (have read mel bartels site perhaps 10 times). Thanks,

Mark

A 12 inch would need a lightweight mirror to fit on a G11.

It would probually need to be f-5 or less also.

That is quite an undertaking but if you can do a good job on a smaller mirror I see no reason not to attempt it.

I used my 13.25 inch dobbie last night which I figured and polsihed the mirror for.

It is BVC glass I don't recommend this to you as its difficult to figure well.

The views were stunning the mirror tests to around 1/10th wave p-v even at 80 X the 5th and 6th star of the trapezium are visible. I had her at 480 last night the seeing was so good.

The heart of 47 Tuk at this power has to be seen to be believed.

Its very satisfying seeing superb high contrast images from a large well corrcected parabola. Doing it yourself you can spend more time on the figure.

The maths theory etc can be trusted and potentially anyone can do this I don't intend talkign you out of it I say give it a go.


I'm goint to replace this mirror with a irror kits plate 14.5 inch as you've heard.

Hi Mark,

I can only comment on MirrorKits.com. I am working an 8" plate glass mirror at the moment. I ran out of lapping powder and needed some quickly.

While hunting around I found MirrorKits.com. They had just what I was looking for. Their ordering page is still in Beta so it is quicker (and imo safer) to just send them an e-mail.

I got a response to my intial questions the same day and had shipping and final costs within 24 hours. They shipped quickly and resolved a minor issue quickly and professionally.

My experience with them was good and I will do business with them in the future.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with the project!

Dave