Re: How does one make a mirror, using common household items?

Hey, Todd. You chose an ambitious project to do with
your kids - but also a potentially very rewarding one! You
should probably be aware that building a telescope from the
ground up may turn into quite a project - y'all may end up
spending 20, 30 or even more hours in the shop together...

If that prospect doesn't have you running for the hills, I
recommend you start with a little reading on the Web: check
out some of the Web sites listed below on Amateur Telescope
Making (aka "ATM"). But note by the way that coating mirrors
is generally the most complex and the most DANGEROUS part of
building your own scope: even the most experienced ATMs seem
to prefer sending their telescope mirrors (once they're done
grinding, polishing and figuring them) to one of a number of
firms around the country for aluminizing. (Folks don't use
silver usually, as it's more toxic, more expensive, and you
can't keep it from tarnishing.)

This is not to say you CAN'T come up with some DIY way to do
a vacuum-chamber film coating process on the mirror. But you
may want to just read up on some of these Web sites and mail
lists - and concentrate on building the mirror, tube, mirror
cell, "rocker" box, ground board, bearings, focuser tube and
even EYEPIECES yourself before messing with coatings. :)

Here are the best ATM sites I know of. If you have some more
questions, try one of these sites out, or write MadSci back!

Clear skies and happy grinding!

Lew Gramer

----------

ATM Links:

    http://www.netacc.net/~poulsen/atm-faq.html

    http://da.saao.ac.za/~wpk/atm.html

    http://www.atmpage.com

    http://www.atmob.org/GettingStarted.html#books