How to Cut a Cone Shape
A cone is a three-dimensional geometrical shape with a circular base and smooth sides that join at a pointed tip. Efforts to cut out cone shapes without much forethought often result in cones with lopsided or uneven bases. As a completed cone is difficult to trim once fixed together, cone-makers need to follow specific steps to create a perfect cone.
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Instructions
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1
Draw a circle. Trace a circular object, use a compass or try other methods. If your circle is not perfect, you will still be able to get a cone shape, but the bottom of your cone will be uneven.
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Draw two straight lines from the center of the circle to the outer edge. The farther apart your lines are on the outer edge of the circle, the wider and shorter your cone will be; the closer together the lines are, the taller and thinner your cone will be.
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Cut out the the section of the circle inside the straight lines you drew. If you are making a thin, tall cone, your cut out should look like a slice of pizza. If you are making a short, wide cone, it should look like you took the pizza and left the slice.
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Curl your slice so that the rounded edge makes a circle (the base of your cone) and the cut edges of the slice meet against one another. You should now have a cone shape. Fix the edges together using tape, glue or other adhesives.
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Tips & Warnings
When deciding how big to make your initial circle, remember that the cone will always be a little (or a lot, depending on how wide or slim you make your cone) shorter than the radius of the circle.
If you need your cone to be a particular height or width but do not know how far apart to make your lines, try cutting out the entire circle and then cutting only one straight line into it. Curl the excess paper around the cone, adjusting the size till it is as desired. Then cut off the the excess paper.
If you need more than one cone, remember this method of making a cone actually makes at least two, since the part of the circle left over from making the first can also be rolled up to make a second. Even more cones can be made from one circle simply by cutting it into multiple slices.
