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separating orton cones

updated thu 25 jan 01

 

Cindy Strnad on tue 23 jan 01


Hi, guys.

I don't understand about having problems separating the Orton cones. I just
follow the instructions that come in the packages (well, in some of the
packages--I'm not sure whether they're always there, as I only read them
once). Anyhow, I've never broken a single cone. Sometimes there are a few
broken ones in the box, but that's not my fault.

Grasp one cone between the left thumb and the side (first two joints) of the
index finger. Grasp the other cone in the same way with the right hand. Have
the "bend" situated with the acute angle upward. Applying steady, even
pressure, snap the cones apart.

Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com

vince pitelka on wed 24 jan 01


No offense to those who have had trouble with this, but it is as simple as
it could possibly be. Grasp each cone by its large end, and twist the two
cones against each other. They will snap apart perfectly every time. On
rare occasions I have had some low-temp cones just crumble in my fingers
when I tried to separate them, but I am sure that was a cone flaw.
Best wishes -
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/

Veronica Honthaas on wed 24 jan 01


At 09:59 PM 1/23/01 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi, guys.
>
>I don't understand about having problems separating the Orton cones.

Just before Christmas I got a shipment of all new large orton cones.
Everything was fine when making a bunch of cone packs ( was doing Christmas
rush back to back firings) but almost the entire box of cone 07's
wasnbreakable............like iron. I had to use a knife and hammer and
maybe got one out of every ten seperated in useable condition. They even
looked and felt differet from the other cones....more shiney and harder.
Never had this happen before.