Unusual request re Compass

[Pottsy]

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

[Hoyks]

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.

[Pottsy]

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

[Steffo1]

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

Seriously, what a wonderful keepsake!

[plusnq]

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

[Pottsy]

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

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.

[Hoyks]

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.

[speewa158]

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  .                                    

[Pottsy]

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  .                                    

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.

[Fizzie]

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/!

Good luck!

[Troopy_03]

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

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.

[GBC]

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.

[Pottsy]

Photo of compass

[Mace]

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..

Google Ship Chandlers

[Bird]

Photo of compass

great looking item! I reckon I'd leave it as is... just incase

[speewa158]

Photo of compass

That is a Quiet Dash Bitch ,,,,,,,,, A keeper                       
   

[Brij]

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.

[macca]

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

[speewa158]

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     

[Bird]

That's a positive way of looking at it                     & really good odds 

better than lotto!