
Thread 67/07
Wants to know how to aluminize a telescope mirror
I am building a telescope and intend to grind a telescope mirror myself ( 12.5" diameter) and had read that the best way to aluminize a telescope mirror was to burn aluminum by heating it with tungstan in a vacuum chamber. Do you think it's practical to do this at home if I was to build a small vacuum chamber? Do you have any suggestions on the procedure to complete the rest of the process?
Thanks,
- Aberdeen, NJ
2000
publicly reply to John Abel
John, vacuum coating aluminum, though relatively simple (only when you have the necessary equipment), is not as simple as "burning". It will cost you at least $5,000 to get a basic, used machine like a laboratory sputterer. Then learn how to run and maintain it adding to cost. Would you want to consider a nearby company and get it done for under $100?. Or may be, get silver electroplated in a shop?
Mandar Sunthankar- Fort Collins, Colorado
2000
publicly reply to Mandar Sunthankar
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