search  current discussion  categories  kilns & firing - cones & controllers 

viewing cones (was kiln sunburn, slow cooling without controller)

updated fri 15 feb 02

 

Arnold Howard on thu 14 feb 02


Most people have difficulty seeing the witness cones on the kiln
shelf during firing. But if you position them just right, you can
see them even at cone 10, when the kiln interior turns white-hot.

In formulating the following guidelines, I tested a welder’s
facemask, mirror, and high intensity flashlight. Those items are
unnecessary, even for cone 10 viewing.

1) Place the cones 8” - 12” away from a peephole. Positioning them
closer makes them difficult to see.

2) Have enough space around the cones to keep them from touching a
piece of ware when they bend.

3) Position cones so that when viewed from the peephole, they are
silhouetted by an element on the opposite kiln wall. (Keep cones at
least 2” from an element.) The element that silhouettes the cones
should be level with the lower part of the cone. If the element is
in line with the upper part of the cone, you won’t be able to see
the cone when it bends.

4) If you use the three-cone system, always have the higher
temperature cone on the same side in every firing. Otherwise you
can lose track of which cone is which.

5) Wear firing safety glasses when viewing the cones through the
peephole.
See your dealer if in doubt about which cone number to use with
each clay and glaze.

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, Inc.

--- Marianne Lombardo wrote:
I gave up trying to see
> witness cones a
> long time ago. No matter where I place them on the shelves,
> there is no way
> that I can see the stupid things. I don't think the peepholes in
> my kiln
> are large enough, or something. Maybe my eyes are just old, who
> knows. I
> use them, but just to look at afterwards.
>


=====
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, Inc.
2011 South Town East Blvd.
Mesquite, Texas 75149-1122 / 800-876-4328 / 972-288-7557
Fax 972-222-0646 / www.paragonweb.com
paragonind@worldnet.att.net

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings!
http://greetings.yahoo.com