JJs 1948 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Would someone know what type of fluid was used in the old compasses? I am fixing a Hull Compass and have tried mineral oil but it is too thick. Searched the forum and could not find an answer. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Jeff Quote
Brad Lustig Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 This topic comes up frequently on the sailboat forums I visit. Some take a mineral oil based fluid, others take a mineral spirit based fluid. Isopar L is used in Ritchie compasses and is basically just a very refined odorless mineral spirit. Quote
greg g Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Glycerin was also used in older types. Quote
Brad Lustig Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Glycerin was also used in older types. That can usually be found in the OTC section of pharmacies. I would guess if mineral oil is too thick, glycerin may be as well. Quote
p10plymouth Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Heres what I did same thing I got a old Hull compass that needed Fluid! So I went to my local Kmart and bought a cheap compass at the auto section! drilled a tiny hole and used the fluid! (on the hull compass it screws off has a cork gasket I used a little silicone glue for a good seal ..Been good for almost 2 yrs now! .. DANiel Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Found this on another forum about compasses. Various compass fluids have been used over the years. For example, some compasses dating from WWII used kerosene as the fluid. Today, most compasses use a silicone based fluid that can be readily purchased. That is probably why it felt slick. If you are refilling the compass, you can raise the possibility of doing so without the annoying air bubble by heating the fluid before filling the compass. As the fluid cools, it will draw the air back into the fluid and the bubble should disappear. Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I just googled compass fluid and on an aviation site there were these answers... denatured alcohol white gas rubbing alcohol kerosene and one guy even said to use baby oil! So google away, lots of threads out there on it:)I really thought there would be a consensus but there wasnt. Quote
greg g Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 you could probably use brake fluid also. Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 OK this time I googled Hull compass fluid and got this http://www.1945gpw.com/n-74-G503_WWII_Jeep_Hull_Streamline_Bakelite_Compass_Restore.aspx It says oderless pure lamp oil. Quote
Cpt.Fred Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 great! thanks, frankie47, thats exactly my type of compass! nice thread, keep going... Quote
JJs 1948 Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 Thanks for the great information guys and the quick response. My google skills need to improve. Nice link Frankie47. This forum search should be a quick answer for all those interested in fixing their compass. Jeff Quote
T120 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 ...Also,thanks from me Frankie.After seeing Cpt. Fred's cool compass,I also bought one that needs refurbishing...Love to tinker. Quote
Frank Elder Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 You guy's are welcome:)Don't get lost before you complete your repairs. Quote
Jim Shepard Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 OK this time I googled Hull compass fluid and got thishttp://www.1945gpw.com/n-74-G503_WWII_Jeep_Hull_Streamline_Bakelite_Compass_Restore.aspx It says oderless pure lamp oil. Use Citronella and keep the bugs away... Quote
laynrubber Posted October 20, 2009 Report Posted October 20, 2009 I have filled several aviation compasses and we used alcohol. Quote
Lee Exline Posted October 22, 2009 Report Posted October 22, 2009 Sure would like to reproduce these. The 46-48 MoPar accessory compass is a rare beast. Sherrill compass made the originals and they come up on ebay on occassion but do not have the MoPar logo so the only thing that would need to be cast is the outer sleeve (but good luck fining one). I have had a couple of these over the years and they sold quick. Quote
David Maxwell Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 .... but after seeing one sell for over $800 on ebay, I have been afraid to mount it in my P15. Instead, I painted a Sherrill to match and use that. Are you serious about reporducing them? Sure would like to reproduce these. The 46-48 MoPar accessory compass is a rare beast. Sherrill compass made the originals and they come up on ebay on occassion but do not have the MoPar logo so the only thing that would need to be cast is the outer sleeve (but good luck fining one). I have had a couple of these over the years and they sold quick. Quote
Lee Exline Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 .... but after seeing one sell for over $800 on ebay, I have been afraid to mount it in my P15. Instead, I painted a Sherrill to match and use that. Are you serious about reporducing them? I would have to find an old sherril and tear it apart to look at it. making the molds and casting the pieces would not be that hard. If the original sherril guts could be used and just make the outer upper section that says MoPar on it would be ideal. The Sherril bases where black but they could be painted. I have not had one for several years and the one pictured above was the only NOS one I ever found. Quote
David Maxwell Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 ...but have you been watching the price of the Sherrills? I used to buy them for between 10 and 20 dollars, but now I see them sell for $175 or more for the model 202 which matches the Mopar version. I would have to find an old sherril and tear it apart to look at it. making the molds and casting the pieces would not be that hard. If the original sherril guts could be used and just make the outer upper section that says MoPar on it would be ideal. The Sherril bases where black but they could be painted. I have not had one for several years and the one pictured above was the only NOS one I ever found. Quote
Lee Exline Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 ...but have you been watching the price of the Sherrills? I used to buy them for between 10 and 20 dollars, but now I see them sell for $175 or more for the model 202 which matches the Mopar version. Have not been watching the price on the Sherrills, Damn they have gone up. I have been spending a lot of time making parts for the Junior cars that I deal with. Have been making a lot of molds lately so I am looking at a number of other molding projects like this one. Got any busted up no good Sherrills that I could tear into to check the feasability of the project with? Quote
David Maxwell Posted October 23, 2009 Report Posted October 23, 2009 I am preparing my car for the Concours d`Elegance show this weekend. One of the things I'm doing is installing the real Mopar compass for the show. I know I have around five of the 202 models and at least five of the 102 Sherrills. I'm not sure about the condition of each though. I'll let you know. Have not been watching the price on the Sherrills, Damn they have gone up.I have been spending a lot of time making parts for the Junior cars that I deal with. Have been making a lot of molds lately so I am looking at a number of other molding projects like this one. Got any busted up no good Sherrills that I could tear into to check the feasability of the project with? Quote
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