Dick

quote: Originally posted by John Warren: I was told by an astrophysists that hand ground telescope mirrors larger than 4" in diameter, even done well, are a complete waste of time because the tolerances are piss poor for decent resolution and the advantages of the extra light gathering capacity are lost. Well, take it from a guy who has made astronomical mirrors and flats for the old National Bureau of Standards (flat to less than 1/2 wave length of light across 18") and other interesting things, it ain't that hard, just verrrry tedious. You might be interested to know that the original front windshields for B-52 bombers were also parallel and flat to within 1 wavelentgh of light and were made by hand in a commercial operation in a little town in South Mississippi named Ferson Optics. No great electronics or high falutin machinery just good old hard work and trickery to verify the results. I will admit that highly complex aspherical shapes are very difficult to do by hand but the result is at least as good as those made by machine if done carefully. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

Sure, why not? Hope is not bad in Jan/Feb, and this time I might remember more of what I hear. Of course, I'm only 80 miles away... There is a lot I forgot to look at in the museum and the plant as well. Then there was the visit with Paul and his wife. What a pair! I'm in if it makes... ------------------ Richard Hemmings

I still say give me some #14 zip cord and let me at 'em. All the rest is overkill. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

Ray, I tried this as an experiment with my la Scalas. I made and I-beam out of 3/4" plywood, put felt on the ends to avoid scratching the cherry veneer I had lovingly put all over them and then clamped the I-beam in the mouth of the horn woth 4 small clamps from Home Depot. I tried several positions including the 2/5 ratio suggested by Bill McD. I cranked them up more than normal but never noticed a change. Of course I hadn't heard a problem before I tried the experiment. It did however make a great difference in the movement of the sides of the la Scalas. If you've got a little extra time to kill you might find a ready solution to your problem. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

Apparently, it seems that the only thing consistent about conservatives is their inability (or unwillingness) to recognize that citizens and patriots can come in many different flavors. The freedom to express one's ideas is one of the premises of our this country's society. Those who have difficulty making up their own minds about what is really important in life sometimes parrot what they have heard rather than do the difficult work of reading and studying the ideas with which they disagree. The light of day is a difficult taskmaster for all ideas conservative or liberal... And about "having to get personal," its not necessary to apologize, just get it right next time. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

So Boa12, who stepped on your twinkie? You sound really mad about something that you can do nothing about. Get a life fella. Its time to laugh about it and go on to better things. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

CC1091, I'd be most interested in taking those Heresys' off your hands. Just send me a private note...

So I guess that dubya hasn't been there long enough for y'all to get upset with him... I imagine that he too will get kind of ripe before its all over. Let's see, just to start.. backtracking on CO2 emissions, uuh... now where did I put my list of campaign promises?... ------------------ Richard Hemmings

Perhaps, Bob really meant can't instead of won't.... ------------------ Richard Hemmings

Well, you might want to get a Cornwall for your center speaker. That would give you a good idea of the difference. Then when you decide to get another La Scala for your center you can sell me the Cornwall. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

First, try 16 gauge zip cord. If you don't like it try something else.

From my experience in the computer industry conduit size is a conundrum. No matter how big you make the conduit you will probably want it to be larger 6 months after you install it. I would suggest that if you get some professional advice you should take it and then increase the crosectional area of the recommended size by at least 100%. (Of course, this must be controlled by economic good sense.) Reason: as soon as you start construction the technology will change and more or different cables will be required. It is very seldom that cable is pulled out of conduit when "replacement cable" is added simply because it is still in use when you need to add more...

Bring 'em on. Should be great! ------------------ Richard Hemmings

There were several pieces of trains in the house, well, all over the house. Several cars on a chest, an engine here, a caboose there. As more people post photos I imagine you'll see several. There was a story about an engine that I only got a part of - maybe one of the other guys heard it all and will repeat it. It really was a great time. The most impressive part, at least to me, was the hospitality with which we were treated. Paul and Valerie were most gracious and Trey and the guys did their best to see that we had a great time, and they really succeeded. ------------------ Richard Hemmings

After all the comments so far there's not much left to say. But it was great to meet "the man " himself. And his wife is a really gracious hostess. A salute to all who put the "jamboree" on. And to those who attended - thanks you were a great group with whom to share the experience. ------------------ Richard Hemmings