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COMPASS FLUID

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:07 pm
by ZU-CDW - Shark
Can anyone please advice me on what fluid is used in a compass and where I can get it from.

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:55 pm
by John Boucher
http://www.vikingoptics.com/compassoil.html

Some use a mixture of alcohol & water...

Others use a fluid called compass oil...

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:41 am
by grostek
Parrafin has also been used but normaly alcohol (No not Klippies!!!!)

It needs a fluid that has good damping properties and will not get cloudy with age so alcohol is probably best.

Ask your local AMO what he uses.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:10 pm
by Miskiet
Gliserine from the pharmacy. What about tech white oil (Johnsons baby oil)? Should give nice damping without the shake and bubbles you get with paraffin.

I havent tried any of the above myself yet - my compass is still full!

Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:52 pm
by Duck Rogers
I'll have to give the Johnsons baby oil thingy a try!
My compass is only an ornament at the moment :twisted:

PS. Actually so is my whole plane......with my foot in plaster an' all vhpy