[ATM] [Fwd: Re: Polyurethane tiles]

[Michael Coslo]

On May 8, 2009, at 8:39 PM, Mark Holm wrote:

> If I might defend myself a bit:


But Mark, you don't have to defend yourself. If you or I figure out  
how to make tools from cow patties and it works, then by gosh, we  
shouldn't have to believe that we are doing something wrong.

The tool is just that - a tool. If it removes glass and doesn't  
scratch or clog up, then it's all good. Personally I like seeing  
different methods. Shows a bit of thinking. Many of those different  
methods might have a problem - but then we'd add them to the  
collective knowledge of what works and what doesn't. Just like  
science, we often learn more from our failures than our successes.

But even aside from methods that don't work, some that do work are not  
necessarily bad. While my method of plaster on wood with glued on  
tiles might not be appealing to some - it simply works, and I haven't  
had a problem with it. Took me very little time to make, cost was that  
of the epoxy - the plywood and plaster and pitch and tiles were all  
leftovers from other projects. There were no problems at all.

As soon as I see some evidence that a mirror made with a Hydrostone or  
dental stone tool is better than one made with anything else, I'll be  
the first to say it's "This is what you should use". But until then,  
I'll say that there is more than one way to grind a mirror, and more  
than one way to make a tool. I'd have no hesitation to give a noob a  
choice between my type tool and the "proper" tool. Both will work just  
fine.

So your tool making method is good. But so is mine, and we're all  
about making telescopes in the end. If we get too hung up on tool  
making styles, we can sound like we're down at the corner gas, arguing  
about Ferds' and Chivvys... 8^)


-73 de Mike N3LI -