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Author Topic: Unusual request re Compass  (Read 4998 times)

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Offline Pottsy

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Unusual request re Compass
« on: November 26, 2018, 05:29:42 PM »
Hi all, today I received my dearly departed fathers Stanley 526 Prismatic Compass (Marching )which was used by him in the 1940s.
It has a rather large bubble in the dial and could do with a good clean, does anyone know of a compass repairer in Australia?

I may need to take it to a watch repairer if I can't find a specialist repairer.

Thanks in advance
Pottsy
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Offline Hoyks

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2018, 06:13:04 PM »
You may be lucky to find someone that is willing to take it apart as the old compasses contained Radium to give them the glowing compass points.

As the paint is probably over 70 years old and starting to break down. If you open them up the radium can get free and contaminate your work place with radioactive particles.

If you can take the dial housing out of the body there is probably a small filler screw in the bottom. The one I played with had a sort of bellows arrangement to allow for variations in pressure and for the liquid to expand and contract a bit.
You may be able to vent/burp the bubble out or top it up again with some isopropyl alcohol.

« Last Edit: November 26, 2018, 06:15:45 PM by Hoyks »
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Offline Pottsy

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2018, 07:31:39 PM »
Quote from: Hoyks on November 26, 2018, 06:13:04 PM
You may be lucky to find someone that is willing to take it apart as the old compasses contained Radium to give them the glowing compass points.

As the paint is probably over 70 years old and starting to break down. If you open them up the radium can get free and contaminate your work place with radioactive particles.

If you can take the dial housing out of the body there is probably a small filler screw in the bottom. The one I played with had a sort of bellows arrangement to allow for variations in pressure and for the liquid to expand and contract a bit.
You may be able to vent/burp the bubble out or top it up again with some isopropyl alcohol.
Thanks for that Hoyks, waiting for dark to check the dial for radium markers, I am assuming the North pointer on the floating dial and the direction marker on the glass face may be the only two.
Not going too play with it too much as it's more sentimental value than anything.
Cheers
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Offline Steffo1

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2018, 07:44:11 PM »
Pottsy, don't forget that that Magnetic North has moved around 200 klm in the last 40 years so, don't use it for any big trips ;D

Seriously, what a wonderful keepsake!
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Offline plusnq

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2018, 07:47:10 PM »
Quote from: Pottsy on November 26, 2018, 05:29:42 PM
Hi all, today I received my dearly departed fathers Stanley 526 Prismatic Compass (Marching )which was used by him in the 1940s.
It has a rather large bubble in the dial and could do with a good clean, does anyone know of a compass repairer in Australia?

I may need to take it to a watch repairer if I can't find a specialist repairer.

Thanks in advance
Pottsy

The only one I found restoring compasses is in Massachusetts in the USA. https://www.vikingcompass.com/ancore.html

It a great heirloom piece an maybe worth the effort of restoring. Cheers
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Offline Pottsy

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2018, 07:47:53 PM »
Quote from: Steffo1 on November 26, 2018, 07:44:11 PM
Pottsy, don't forget that that Magnetic North has moved around 200 klm in the last 40 years so, don't use it for any big trips ;D

Seriously, what a wonderful keepsake!

According to my youngest daughter North is the way you are facing! Surprise surprise she is not allowed to navigate.
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Offline Hoyks

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2018, 07:51:21 PM »
If you want to spend some $$ getting it serviced, then try an avionics instrument repair place, as they would have dealt with stuff like this and the associated potential hazards before.

There should be a few around Parafield.
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Offline speewa158

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2018, 08:50:53 PM »
What about you take it on every trip & remember your Dear Old Dad as he will be along for the adventure . You can make your our way as he would be proud to see you doing  just that  .                               :cheers:     
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Offline Pottsy

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2018, 07:42:42 AM »
Quote from: speewa158 on November 26, 2018, 08:50:53 PM
What about you take it on every trip & remember your Dear Old Dad as he will be along for the adventure . You can make your our way as he would be proud to see you doing  just that  .                               :cheers:     
Yes, it will take pride of place in the 4wd, I will find a little case for it to travel in to prevent any further wear n tear.
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Offline Fizzie

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2018, 09:07:38 AM »
Quote from: Pottsy on November 26, 2018, 05:29:42 PM
Hi all, today I received my dearly departed fathers Stanley 526 Prismatic Compass (Marching )which was used by him in the 1940s.
It has a rather large bubble in the dial and could do with a good clean, does anyone know of a compass repairer in Australia?

I may need to take it to a watch repairer if I can't find a specialist repairer.

Thanks in advance
Pottsy

Got a photo, Pottsy ???

Just pushed some buttons & found these people https://www.sios.net.au/category/compass-geology who may be able to help ???

Another couple of thoughts could be talking to the Science Dept at the University as they may know someone, or even https://www.ansto.gov.au/! ;D

Good luck!
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Offline Troopy_03

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2018, 12:09:48 PM »
Quote from: Steffo1 on November 26, 2018, 07:44:11 PM
Pottsy, don't forget that that Magnetic North has moved around 200 klm in the last 40 years so, don't use it for any big trips ;D

Seriously, what a wonderful keepsake!

Doesn't matter, the needle will point to Magnetic North (even though it isn't where it was in 1940), and the compass card will still be the same, so no different to one you buy today.
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Offline GBC

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2018, 01:38:15 PM »
There will be a number of ship's compass adjusters around the port. They will be able to help or will know who can. Just google compass adjuster Adelaide.
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Offline Pottsy

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2018, 01:38:38 PM »
Photo of compass
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Offline Mace

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2018, 03:09:41 PM »
Quote from: GBC on November 27, 2018, 01:38:15 PM
There will be a number of ship's compass adjusters around the port. They will be able to help or will know who can. Just google compass adjuster Adelaide.

On the money..

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Offline Bird

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #14 on: November 27, 2018, 03:31:08 PM »
Quote from: Pottsy on November 27, 2018, 01:38:38 PM
Photo of compass
great looking item! I reckon I'd leave it as is... just incase :)
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Offline speewa158

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #15 on: November 27, 2018, 04:03:42 PM »
Quote from: Pottsy on November 27, 2018, 01:38:38 PM
Photo of compass
That is a Quiet Dash Bitch ,,,,,,,,, A keeper                        :cheers:
   
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Offline Brij

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #16 on: November 28, 2018, 04:36:29 AM »
Quote from: Pottsy on November 26, 2018, 07:47:53 PM
According to my youngest daughter North is the way you are facing! Surprise surprise she is not allowed to navigate.

She must have gone to the same school as my wife. That is what she was taught as well ???

I think they might of both been distracted when the teacher said to to hold the compass and turn until it is pointing north.
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Offline macca

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #17 on: November 28, 2018, 05:30:47 AM »
Quote from: Pottsy on November 26, 2018, 07:47:53 PM
According to my youngest daughter North is the way you are facing! Surprise surprise she is not allowed to navigate.
Well she has a one in 360 chance of being correct

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

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Offline speewa158

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2018, 06:34:37 AM »
Quote from: macca on November 28, 2018, 05:30:47 AM
Well she has a one in 360 chance of being correct

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
That's a positive way of looking at it    :-[                 & really good odds  :cheers:   
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Offline Bird

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Re: Unusual request re Compass
« Reply #19 on: November 28, 2018, 08:29:20 AM »
Quote from: speewa158 on November 28, 2018, 06:34:37 AM
That's a positive way of looking at it    :-[                 & really good odds  :cheers:
better than lotto!
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