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clay inventions (pyrometers and cones)

updated fri 19 jul 02

 

BrendaZ on wed 17 jul 02


> Lately my favorite invention is my digital pyrometer.
> Raku has been going much much better with it.

I would suggest using cones in the raku firing (along with the digital pyrometer). I have found that my results are most consistent when watching cones.

Brenda Z.
http://www.potter.ca

Leland G. Hall on thu 18 jul 02


On Wed, 17 Jul 2002 14:14:32 +0000, BrendaZ wrote:

>> Lately my favorite invention is my digital pyrometer.
>> Raku has been going much much better with it.
>
>I would suggest using cones in the raku firing (along with the digital
pyrometer). I have found that my results are most consistent when watching
cones.
>
>Brenda Z.
>http://www.potter.ca
>
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Brenda,

Thanks for the tip. I tried large self supporting cones in my first
hundred or so fireings, and was not always happy with the results. Then I
read
that Orton makes the big cones both for reduction and oxidation fireings.
Seems like I remember something about the ones for oxidation developing a
skin if used in a reduction atmosphere and not falling at the correct
temprature. My memory is vague on all this, and I never looked into it any
further. I never did obtain any made specificly for reduction. Just have
had real good results with the pyrometer fireing after fireing. Which
cones do you speak of? I'll try anything for more controll. Thanks.
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Enterprises
La Pine Oregon

BrendaZ on thu 18 jul 02


> Seems like I remember something about the ones for
> oxidation developing a skin if used in a reduction
> atmosphere and not falling at the correct
> temperature.

Leland,

We use an Orton cone 06 self supporting cone. Our raku kiln fires in
oxidation until after the cone has dropped. We only reduce in the kiln for
about two minutes before putting the pieces in the reduction bins.

When I was taught to fire raku we never used cones, and I always had to rely
on the instructor's years of experience to "read the glaze melt". It never
occurred to me to use cones until I saw it being done by someone else. It
makes a lot of sense to me though, because as in my electric kiln, the cones
measure the heatwork on the glazes. We fire in all sorts of conditions
(below freezing in the winter and 100 degree heat in the summer) so the
amount of time that it takes for the kiln to reach temperature varies.

Brenda Z.
http://www.potter.ca