Mirror making supplies (Posted: 20260702)

[Mike Harlow]

It is more and more difficult to get hold of mirror making supplies these days. I have recently run out of C.80 abrasive and wondered if anyone knows of a good supplier in the UK so I can re-stock…One last project…! Lots of sites on the internet but who knows how reliable they are.
Or maybe you have some hidden away in a cupboard that you want to get rid of???
Thanks,
Mike.

[Callum Potter]

I guess you’ve tried Galvoptics or Vacuum Coatings (also known as Scientific Mirrors) ?

[Mike Harlow]

Thanks Callum,
Yes I had a look at Galvoptics but they have clearly moved on from supporting ATMs. They don’t do aluminising anymore either. Vacuum coatings are an option with C.80 at £7.80 for 1Lb so I can use them if I don’t hear from anyone else.
Mike.

[Robert Ian Henderson]

Have you tried Stathis Kafalis in Munich? stathis-firstlight.de
He has been a very good supplier of mirror-making materials in the past. I hope he is still going.

[Mike Harlow]

Thanks Robert,
That’s a very interesting web site he’s got…REAL telescope making!
Mike.

[Grant Privett]

I just looked and they still do grinding materials.

https://www.scientificmirrors.co.uk/telescope%20making%20supplies.html

[Mike Harlow]

If anyone is interested John Nichol put me on to UKGE as a source of abrasives. They are mainly for rocks and minerals but it’s the same stuff.
See the UKGE web site for details: https://ukge.com/product-category/lapidary-supplies/abrasives/

Or another bulk supplier in Germany: https://ots-store.com/ots-store-9070-14-en

Mike.

Update: Just heard from UKGE. Apparently they are winding down their business so won’t be supplying abrasives anymore!

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Mike Harlow.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Mike Harlow.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Mike Harlow.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Mike Harlow.

[Mike Harlow]

One last post to finish off this thread.
Two more suppliers suggested to me by Terry Pearce and John Nichol. Washington Mills supply Silicon Carbide in bulk and Glassworks Services supply abrasives in any quantity you want.
I went with Glassworks. I phoned them yesterday morning with an order and it arrived Friday morning within 24 hours…very efficient.
Not the most exciting photo but this is what turned up…should last a while! [It is C.80 despite the product code SC220].
Mike.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by Mike Harlow.

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