> On Jan 4, 2017, at 1:06 PM, Jon Elson <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> ...
>>
> Previous messages suggested the LGP-30 drum was plated with nickel. If there
> are amateur astronomers with a vacuum evaporator, it might be possible to get
> them to adjust their setup slightly to vacuum evaporate nickel on your drum,
> after refinishing the base. You'd need a rig to slowly turn the drum while
> evaporating the nickel. Some other research labs at universities might have
> the necessary equipment, also - check with the Physics department (or
> electrical engineering).
Nice idea. You'd want to check that the same filament works with nickel.
Standard mirror coating is aluminum, using a tungsten filament. Some other
metals don't work that way because the molten metal doesn't adhere to tungsten
(silver is an example). The procedure, including the filament to use, is
described very nicely in "Procedures in Experimental Physics" by John Strong.
It was reprinted by Lindsay Publications, now out of business but it might
still be available. Great book, also for some other crafts such as glass
working (useful for those who want to build their own vacuum tubes).
paul
