If you guys want to see how smooth (or rough) the polish is on your own mirror, or you want to see how much turned down edge you have with your "premium" mirror - test your own optics.
to build a Foucault and Ronchi tester of your very own will cost you, at most, $25. you could spend $50 on a book about optics and still not learn 1% of just being behind the test stand for an hour.
most people will have all the materials at home, except for a dial indicator ($13 at harbor freight):
building one will demystify how telescope mirrors really work. you will recognize problems with mirrors being discussed that right now goes "over your head". you will simply gain a whole new outlook on optic quality.
rough polish or turned down edge? you cant miss it!
having a tester will not make you a kenndedy or zambuto, but testing optics is 78.98% of making a mirror.
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