Grinding at first was very exciting, but it can get tedious. also, if there is an atm club nearby, it can make it much easier. I'm currently working on my first telescope. grinding and polishing can be done easily by yourself, but figuring is another problem. a six inch f/10 may be a good choice, but a spherical mirror will still provide high optical quality. I'm working on a 10" f/ 4.35 which would be impossible to make without the help of the people at the chabot observitory.