is cone 06 same as cone 6 ???

You may have. Go to this page:

That is correct. ^06 is what one uses to bisque fire, ^6 is what clay is fired to after glazing (though some people fire earthenware to lower temps, but let's not cloud the issue. ^6 is MUCH higher than ^06. According to Axner's current catalog, their clay is fired to ^06-02 (earthenware), ^6 for most stonewares, and ^9-10 for porcelains. Raku clay (which is a totally different animal) is usually fired to ^05, except their "Max's Raku Clay" which can go from ^05 to ^10.

^06 clay is not bad to start out with. Use it to get used to throwing (like practice clay) or to figure out what your wheel and skills are capable of in terms of height, thickness, shapes etc. Have fun with it! That's the whole point.

Hope that helps, Wayne Seidl

You wanted ^6 and bought ^10? You can definitely make dinnerware from that. You wanted ^06 and bought ^6? You can still make dinnerware.

You wanted ^6 and bought ^06? Make flower pots. ^06 is too porous, as someone else has already pointed out.

Good Luck! Wayne Seidl

I made a similar mistake in a different area: Pure silica is a component of almost all glazes. My first try, I ordered 100lb silica. I got a very refined sandbox sand. I should have ordered the powdered flint (also 100% pure silica)

Incidentally don't don't fire the cone 06 at cone 6 temperatures. You will ruin the kiln. The 06 will turn to a runny glass mixture and spread all over.

in article 2l7Bb.425$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews3.bellsouth.net, wayneinkeywest at snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net wrote on 12/8/03 4:59 PM:

May I ask why you bought cone 10 clay? That is somewhat of a high fire for someone who is new to this. Cone 6 would be a better stoneware range to work with in my opinion. As has been stated cone06 is what you would bisque fire your greenware to before glazing to fire to Cone6-10 (for stoneware). What kind of kiln are you using? The manual it comes with should have a very clear diagram of the cones and how they relate to temperature. Cone10 is pushing it for an electric kiln and is usually what you use for porcelain or reduction firings.

Yes, they will both serve you well, provided you make nice strong pots

Good Luck ! Wayne Seidl

Two days ago I ordered several pottery and wheel throwing books-- i am on a roll!

I picked and ordered these a couple of days ago: Shipping estimate for these items: December 15, 2003 Delivery estimate: December 17, 2003 - December 19, 2003

"Pottery on the Wheel" Elsbeth S. Woody;Paperback; $17.50

"Throwing Techniques" Joaquim Chavarria;Hardcover; $10.47

"Decorating Techniques (Ceramics Class)" Joaquim Chavarria;Hardcover; $10.47

I know you are full of enthusiasm, but, if you already bought a wheel, why don't you buy a good book on pottery and read through it first? for example

Ceramics: A Potter's Handbook von Stephanie Nelson, Richard Burkett, Glenn C. Nelson

or maybe

Pottery: A Complete Guide to Techniques for the Beginner von Tony Birks

both available at amazon, both very good. It will answer a lot of questions for you which you don't even know you have yet. It will save you a lot of problems in my opinion.

Good luck, Monika

-- Monika Schleidt snipped-for-privacy@schleidt.org