Claybot Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 Hi. Although I've been making things out of clay for years, I'm new to using a kiln myself. I'm trying to use an old but seldom-used kiln to fire my pots and I'm having problems. I underglazed my greenware pot and fired it to 04. The pot became bisqueware, but the 04 underglaze can be wiped off with a moist cloth. The 04 witness cone I put in didn't bend all the way down, only a little - if the cone base is 6:00 on a clock, the tip is pointing at 2:00. Here is a photo of my Olympic Kiln with kiln sitter. I was told I need to calibrate my kiln sitter with this device, a calibration tool about the size of a quarter. I have no idea how to use that tool to calibrate the kiln sitter. The tool is not mentioned anywhere in my manual. Can somebody help me out? Thanks for any help you can provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcy Kane Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I have no idea how to use that tool to calibrate the kiln sitter. The tool is not mentioned anywhere in my manual. Can somebody help me out? Thanks for any help you can provide. Youtube baby! There are a gajillion videos on how to do just about everything pottery. Here is one and there are many more. I hope you can find one that will help you solve your problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claybot Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Thanks for the reply. I have a watched a few YouTube videos now, so I have a fair idea what I need to do. I'll update this thread later, hopefully with good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnold Howard Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 I underglazed my greenware pot and fired it to 04. The pot became bisqueware, but the 04 underglaze can be wiped off with a moist cloth. The 04 witness cone I put in didn't bend all the way down, only a little - if the cone base is 6:00 on a clock, the tip is pointing at 2:00. The 04 cone, at 2 o'clock, is probably only a few degrees in temperature away from full maturity. In case you used a self-supporting cone (with the built-in base), the cone has reached maturity when the tip is even with the top of the base. It is over-fired by a few degrees when the tip touches the kiln shelf. Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claybot Posted May 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 Whoa, thanks for anticipating my questions before I asked them, Arnold! I was going to make a post about witness cones. By the way, THE CALIBRATED KILN FIRED PERFECTLY! Well, maybe it fired a little too hot, as the tip dropped lower than the top of the base, but that's better than not hot enough! And it did not bend all the way to the bottom. Incidentally, this was the best YouTube video I found on the subject of calibrating the kiln sitter with a gage: http://www.youtu.be/...feature=mh_lolz Happiness is a properly bent witness cone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekaj88 Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 I know this post is pretty well outdated at this point, but I was wondering if you could take a photo of your calibration tool next to a ruler? My kiln was missing the gauge when I bought it used and I want to manufacture a gauge. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 You can buy a gauge for $5 https://www.baileypottery.com/Bailey-Pottery/Product-Details/ProductId/848 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Longer Member Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 I align by eye; notice the center hole's center line is in the same plane as the top of the notches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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