Can You Refine a Ground Glass?

TimVermont · Jan 10, 2007

I have an older camera with a coarse, "gritty" looking surface on the ground glass that often interferes with viewing fine details. Would it help any to grind it finer? I'm thinking of using the very fine grades of finishing papers (3M Imperial or similar) on a granite surface plate, but don't know if it would be worth it. Are there other methods I should consider?

JBrunner · Jan 10, 2007

You don't say what size the glass is, but in any case Satin Snow glass is an outstanding value, probably cheaper than you could DIY for an outstanding product. Google it up.

bob01721 · Jan 10, 2007

Have you considered replacing it with a Dead Link Removed GG? They're absurdly inexpensive. The wait-time is kinda long these days, but I understand that Badger Graphic carries them now and has them in stock.

Roger Hicks · Jan 10, 2007

bob01721 said:
Have you considered replacing it with a Dead Link Removed GG? They're absurdly inexpensive. The wait-time is kinda long these days, but I understand that Badger Graphic carries them now and has them in stock.

Those prices are certainly enticingly low. I'll have to see if I can persuade George Schaub to let me do a road test in Shutterbug -- though I guess with his back-orders the last thing he needs is more publicity...

But back on topic, try either valve grinding paste or opticians' grinding powder (a friendly optical lab gave me some) between two sheets of glass. Buy a big thick sheet as a base and grind the GG (wet) on top.

Cheers,

R.

bob01721 · Jan 10, 2007

Roger Hicks said:
"... I'll have to see if I can persuade George Schaub to let me do a road test in Shutterbug -- though I guess with his back-orders the last thing he needs is more publicity..."

Why not see what Dave says? I, for one, would like to see something like that.

TimVermont · Jan 11, 2007

Thanks everyone for your input. I found this thread:
www.dokasphotos.com/techniques/ground_glass/
thanks to an email from another APUGer. The "chips" he describes are exactly what I'm seeing. I'm going to try his technique with aluminum oxide just for my own education if nothing else.

sanking · Jan 17, 2007

TimVermont said:
Thanks everyone for your input. I found this thread:
www.dokasphotos.com/techniques/ground_glass/
thanks to an email from another APUGer. The "chips" he describes are exactly what I'm seeing. I'm going to try his technique with aluminum oxide just for my own education if nothing else.

Tim,

I also recommend the Satin Snow ground glasses. However, a very quick fix for a coarse ground glass is to spray it with a coat of satin polyurethane. This will brighten it considerably.

Sandy

Jim Jones · Jan 17, 2007

Rather than regrinding your existing GG, consider buying or grinding a new one and keeping the old one as a spare.

Can You Refine a Ground Glass?

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