 does anyone know how long a caldera cone lasts?does the metal go softer after constant use? 
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 I think it will last till you lose it or break it. No sign of the metal softening or changing its properties on mine after a few years use. It's got a few dings and marks on it by now, but no loss of performance. Mine is an 'official' cone. I suppose it depends what DIY cones are made from.
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 I've had mine since last June. A little battered and bent. The cone slots are getting too bent to slide in together so I use a very large paper clip The stove was supplied with a large plastic tub which I use to carry the cone,stove, lighter, pot grip, seringe and cloth to stop the bits rattling about. Hope this is of help.
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| Edited: 16/02/10 22:03 |
what i am looking for is a sample of the cone that i can get tested on a spectrometer to find what spec the aluminium is.
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 TBH, for MYOG cones, I wouldn't get too worked up on what spec metal to use. Unless you go mental and put rocket fuel under the thing, it really shouldn't get too hot; if it does, then you're wasting a heck of a lot of fuel, which misses the point of the Caldera Cone; fuel efficiency. So the temper really shouldn't be affected too badly*. Whatever, you need to take care to store the thing in a rucksack. Not quite sure what you're hoping to do, but lets just say that, in the two years my Caldera Clone script has been available, I've supplied 43 copies. i.e. MYOG isn't that popular in reality; a lot of people seem to enjoy reading about it, but very few actually get round to it. * on the other hand, Paddy Dillon managed to melt a section of the SBS I made him, but that was in windy conditions, and the SBS has the flame closer to the metal.
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 I used the above script to make a few cones, durability isn't a problem unless you're careless. I used 0.200mm and 0.100mm (lighter than a disposable barbecue I think) aluminium foil from these guys . http://www.hollinbrow.co.uk/hollinbrow/aluminiumfoil.html Of course you need to store the cone in a caddy (supplied with a Caldera Cone AFAIK) but to avoid needing to use a caddy I'm making a 2 piece( vertically split) cone from titanium foil.
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 I've also used CP's script to make a Clone from a disposable aluminium tray/platter. It's still going strong after a good year or two
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 I've used my Trail designs one over a hundred times and the cone is still just fine. The top of the cone is a little wavy but if anything it just holds the pot better now. I've always kept it in the plastic container.(which slides perfectly inside my Vargo Ti-lite, not sure if that's by design or happy accident) The base of the little alcohol stove that came with it got a little bit loose at one point (stove still alcohol tight though) and was easily fixed with a tiny amount of metal epoxy. but you can just as easily cut the bottom off a beer can
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| Edited: 25/11/10 17:39 |
" The cone slots are getting too bent to slide in together so I use a very large paper clip" The new cones are fitted with a Ti sleeve over the female part of the slot.I pop mine in, faster then sliding it in. Franco
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| Edited: 25/11/10 21:37 |
For the Caldera Clone, I developed a mitre closure like Trail Designs, but rejected it in favour of the simple slot and tab joint, which seems to be lasting well so far. The mitre wasn't secure enough when using thin, soft foils. I have a suspicion that the mitre joint is one of their patented features. But since I've not been abel to find their patents online, and they don't quote the patent numbers, it's hard to know...
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Can you really patent a mitre joint ???  And I can vouch for the slot & tab joint. It works a treat !!!
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