Compass oil

[Alan]

What is the common name for compass oil? I took an old compass apart that was on "Hunky Dory" when I bought her. The plexi is a little yellow but it just didn't seem to "act right". Point N ok, but it was kinda.... loose I guess is the word. The "oil" that came out smells bad. Like old paint thinner or something. I put another good compass in the hole but I have an attack of curiosity.
We went sailing today.... 82F and 10-15 SSE/ little gusty. unseasonable weather.... hope it lasts another day.
alan
s/v "Hunky Dory"
CD25 Hull#148



alangm@mail.swbell.net

[john churchill]

What is the common name for compass oil? I took an old compass apart that was on "Hunky Dory" when I bought her. The plexi is a little yellow but it just didn't seem to "act right". Point N ok, but it was kinda.... loose I guess is the word. The "oil" that came out smells bad. Like old paint thinner or something. I put another good compass in the hole but I have an attack of curiosity.
We went sailing today.... 82F and 10-15 SSE/ little gusty. unseasonable weather.... hope it lasts another day.
alan
s/v "Hunky Dory"
CD25 Hull#148

mineral oil. do not use alcohol, it will craze the plastic and provide no dampening.

[Bill Gold]

The instructor in my Coast Guard Nav class says it is Varsol. I haven't checked this out though.
Bill

What is the common name for compass oil? I took an old compass apart that was on "Hunky Dory" when I bought her. The plexi is a little yellow but it just didn't seem to "act right". Point N ok, but it was kinda.... loose I guess is the word. The "oil" that came out smells bad. Like old paint thinner or something. I put another good compass in the hole but I have an attack of curiosity.
We went sailing today.... 82F and 10-15 SSE/ little gusty. unseasonable weather.... hope it lasts another day.
alan
s/v "Hunky Dory"
CD25 Hull#148

billgold@hotmail.com

[Ed Roberts]

I have a "White & Sons Corsair" compass that I bought in the early 50's. In 1987 I resurrected it after 25 years storage. Found a big bubble in it and brown yuck coating the card - apparently from material leached out of the black plastic. Contacted Rule Industries, successor company to White. They still has parts, including a new rubber diaphragm that accomodates temperature expansion. They also sold me a quart of "compass oil." After cleaning everything up I installed new oil, being patient for for several days with the compass sitting with the refill port pointing up so any bubbles would rise.The operation was successful; the compass is still working and bubble-free. And I sold the surplus oil to the local boatyard. Suggest contacting your manufacturer for oil, or of trying to buy some from a local compass adjustor.
Ed R.



edwardroberts@sprintmail.com

[Larry DeMers]

The common name for compass oil is "Stoddards Solvent", but really, refined and odorless mineral spirits will do the same thing. Do not use anything that smells, looks, or is associated with alcohol..you will have a guey mess where the 'glass' was, and the expansion rubber will also be hurt by using alcohol.

I have used refined mineral spirits in my Richie, and it works great.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~~~

What is the common name for compass oil? I took an old compass apart that was on "Hunky Dory" when I bought her. The plexi is a little yellow but it just didn't seem to "act right". Point N ok, but it was kinda.... loose I guess is the word. The "oil" that came out smells bad. Like old paint thinner or something. I put another good compass in the hole but I have an attack of curiosity.
We went sailing today.... 82F and 10-15 SSE/ little gusty. unseasonable weather.... hope it lasts another day.
alan
s/v "Hunky Dory"
CD25 Hull#148

demers@sgi.com