Norm Stuart

Kaolin (clay) is like a large collection of shingles - flat, wide and thin. When compressed, these plates align as shown in the photo. This creates a clay "memory" where clay will want to reassume this orientation if bent. This also creates different shrinkage at each orientation. A stack of pancakes will get shorter as the water between them is removed, or as the butter melts. But the pancakes will tend not to dry less wide.

A Type-S thermocouple inside it's Mullite tube along with protective packing inside. Type-S is platinium which is thinner, more, accurate, lasts longer, and retains its accuracy far better than Type-K nickel chrome thermocouples do. They also cost $200 rather than $60. Type-S Thermocouples generate 2/3 less voltage. Because of this: Type-S thermocouple also require a $15 or less length of shielded wire - two insulated wires surrounded by a metal ribbon jacket to resist electrical interference; Type-S thermocouples require a compatible kiln controller. Variations of Bartlett V6-CF controllers need to have the one jumper on their circuit board connected to both leads, as opposed to just one with Type-K, and the Thermocouple Type has to be changed from TYPE-K to TYPE-S in the "Hidden Menu". Hidden Menu is reached by selecting RESET, anf typing 443 enter.

Notice the 1/4" crack on the left side of my head, where the relief carving was a little thinner.