Orton Pyrometric Cones
We have picked the most popular and commonly used temperatures for this page.
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Orton
makes cones from cone 022 up to cone 42. During firing, cones soften
and melt as they are heated, and gravity causes them to bend. This bending
indicates that the cone and the ware on that shelf have received a specific
amount of heat, matching the formulated melting point of the materials
in the cone. It usually takes 15 to 22 minutes for cones to bend fully
once they begin melting.
A full combination of
cone styles and temperature ranges are available at Georgies. Please
write or call and let us know what you're looking for. |
Cone
numbers originally started at 1 and went to 20. Each higher cone number requires
more heat (a higher temperature) to bend. As demand for cones grew, both lower
and higher cones were developed. A zero was added in front of the number for
cones maturing at lower temperatures, below the original cone 1. Thus cone
01 needs less heat than cone 1, and cone 020 needs less than cone 019. It
is important not to mix up the lower maturing cones, whose numbers begin with
zero, with the higher maturing cones. Cone 6 and cone 06 are not the same
thing!
When
using cones in the Dawson Kiln-Sitter to control your kiln, place
the cone for your desired target temperature between the claws of the cone
holder inside your kiln. When the cone melts, the sensing rod will trip the
plunger to shut off the kiln's power.
When
using witness cones in your kiln, place cones on each shelf. It's common
and recommended to use 3 cones on each shelf: one cone is the actual target
temperature, one cone is one increment higher, and one lower. For a cone 04
firing, the trio of cones would be one each of 03-04-05. This combination
will indicate how accurately your kiln reached the target temperature on each
shelf of your kiln. Regularly using witness cones gives you the true measure
of how accurately your kiln fires to the desired temperature. Leadfree glazes
require consistent firings to the proper temperature to achieve proper clay/glaze
fit and to meet food safety standards. Witness cones are a must for porcelain
doll firings, too. Porcelain is unforgiving, and there is no margin for error.
For
more information about Orton cones, please visit www.ortonceramic.com. |
Mini Bars
Orton
bars were specially designed to function in the Dawson Kiln-Sitter. They
yield the same result as Junior Cones centered in the Kiln Sitter. The
uniform shape makes consistent placement easy without affecting the firing. Click the down arrow for more temperature options. In
boxes of 50. Cones are net-priced: no discounts apply.
Large Cones
The
original Ortonmetric cones. Widely used as witness cones on kiln shelves
to visually monitor firing progress and heatwork throughout the kiln.
Large cones need to be supported by a cone plaque, a clay pat or a wire
cone holder. Uniform mounting height and angle are very important. Click the down arrow for more temperature options. In boxes of 50. Cones are net-priced: no discounts apply.
CHS
Wire Cone Holders |
| Buy 1 - 5 ... |
6 - 11 ... |
12+ |
| $3.69 ea |
$2.95 ea |
$2.58 ea |
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Junior Cones
Small
"Junior" Cones are commonly used in the Dawson Kiln-Sitter.
The tapered shape allows some flexibility in adjusting the shutoff point
by placing the thinner or thicker portion of the cone under the sensing
rod. Junior Cones can also be used on the kiln shelf as mini witness cones
when space is limited. Junior Cones deform at slightly higher temperatures
than Self-Supporting or Large cones rated for the same temperature. Click the down arrow for more temperature options. In
boxes of 50. Cones are net-priced: no discounts apply.
Witness Cones
Self-supporting
"witness" cones are the most accurate and easiest to use cones
available. Cone holders or plaques are not needed. Many glaze and kiln
manufacturers recommend use of witness cones to achieve best firing results. Click the down arrow for more temperature options. In boxes of 25. Cones are net-priced: no discounts apply.
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