Telescope polishing eqpt (was: cooling stereo projectors)

[P3D John W Roberts <roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Wed, 1 Jan 1997 17:17:10 -0600
>From: P3D Peter Penhallow  <100767.21@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Cooling Stereo Projectors

>...
>Bulletin Article
>****************
>BULLETIN 106
>      CLAY'S CLINIC: PART FOUR                         Colin Clay
>...
>    4. The filter surfaces should be examined at periodic intervals to 
>see if they have deteriorated. It may be possible to restore the surfaces 
>using glass polishing compounds such as those used for producing 
>telescope mirrors. Alternatively it could be worth trying paint cutting 
>compounds made for cleaning car paintwork, and finishing off with metal 
>polish.

Which reminds me - does anyone know of any current sources for telescope
polishing equipment? I have an old book (somewhere) that tells how to
grind your own telescope mirror, but I don't know where to buy the abrasive
and other stuff needed.

Aside from the benefits to 3D enthusiasts, I have a not-directly-3D reason
to ask. This year I got a used computer monitor at a very low price because
it had a big scratch in the middle of the screen. I tried to fill the scratch
with UV-curing windshield repair compound, but it turned out to have an index
of refraction nowhere near that of the glass. I also tried metal polishing
techniques (ultrafine sandpaper, buffing), and got a surface that was pretty
smooth, but not *optically* smooth, so in Windows mode it sends out a spray
of colors that would eventually cause the eyes of the user to fall out. (The
minor irregularities cause the red, green, and blue dots to be shifted around
and magnified unevenly). The only thing I could think of that might restore
the smoothness of the screen was a lens/mirror polishing technique, because
that process seems to work with the physical properties of the glass to trend
toward a smooth surface.

(On the other hand, maybe I should "irregularize" the entire screen, and
sell the monitor along with a pair of Chromadepth glasses. :-)

John R
[who *did* wear safety glasses the whole time]


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