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small cones

updated wed 31 jul 96

 

Linda Arbuckle on tue 2 jul 96

>I have been told that small cones are not meant to be used in cone packs and
>set on the shelf. It is my understanding that they are only accurate when
>they are used in the kiln sitter.
>
>------------------------------------
>Paula Coleman
>Ceramic Artist
>Email: potter@comcat.com
>Web: http://www.comcat.com/~potter/

Orton has said in their publication The Firing Line that this is a myth.
Small and large cones do deform at different rates.. there is more mass in a
big cone to respond to gravity. But small cones work just fine as visual
cones. Orton recommends an 8 degree lean, and the small cone sticking
15/16th out of the cone pack. The real issue is that the large and small
cones do not deform at the identical temperature. So, it doesn't matter if
you use large or small visual cones, but the cone number and state of bend
is not directly interchangable from large to small.

With the small peeps of electric kilns I find small cones more convenient,
and I only have to stock one size. Works fine. An 03 in the sitter usually
produces an 04 bending in front of the peep. One expects a cone cooler
visual, as the sitter cone is horizontal and has a bar resting on it, and so
bends sooner.

Linda
_______________________________________________
Linda Arbuckle E-mail: ARBUCK@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
Asst. Prof.
Univeristy of Florida
Department of Art 302 FAC
Gainesville, FL 32611 Ceramics: (352) 392-0228