Spin-Casting This Telescope Mirror In Resin Didn’t Go To Plan
1 min read
Summary
For his DIY telescope build project, [Unnecessary Automation] needed to create concave mirrors, which he attempted to do using a liquid mirror spinner
The concept involves using a spinning mould, into which liquid resin is poured and left to cure during rotation; the hope is that the resin will form into a convex shape as it solidifies
While the attempt was not a success, and resulted in a messy end product that was unfit for use in his telescope, the experiment was still an interesting and educational one
Speaking to the difficulty of creating mirrors at home, other users comment on the challenges of using a manual lathe to achieve the required levels of precision, and suggest alternative methods involving stretchable materials or floating glass.
