Compass question.

[plastic-ninja]

Inherited this compass when my Dad passed so there’s a certain amount of sentiment attached & I’d like to be able to use it. The bubble has got bigger over the last few years & I’m wondering if it can be refilled & resealed at all? Anyone know?
My Dad taught me to use a map & compass & I must say I trust that more than my phone. Saves the phone battery for the real emergencies too. TIA, Simon

 

[Pattree]

This is of absolutely no help whatsoever but it’s a good (vaguely relevant) story.

My old brass prismatic was filled with isopropyl alcohol.
I refilled that cold and let it warm up and overflow before replacing the grub screw and sealing with old style sealing wax. I never did get rid of the bubble completely.

Could you do something similar with fluid from a donor compass, a hypodermic, a small drill and an epoxy seal.

Others here will know far more than I do.

 

[Rabid]

Contact Silva i'm sure that they will be able to help.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Air bubbles are usually caused by 2 things, temperature changes, particularly the cold ( liquid contracts, etc.) & altitude (above 500 meters) Warming up the compass may help,(not too drastically) a few minutes in the sun should do. If it doesn't work, the bubble doesn't affect the function & accuracy of the compass. Injecting more liquid into it isn't a good idea.

 

[Pattree]

I certainly agree that if Silva can help at reasonable cost then that is the route to take.

Sorry @Lean'n'mean I don’t understand this one.

You are right that the compass is still useable but @plastic-ninja has asked how to get rid of the bubble.

Even if the bubble has come from a temperature change, which is unlikely and it’s still as big as shown at ambient, then warming won’t help because the compass will have to return to ambient for use. Heating could force more liquid out. I wouldn’t recommend that.
A volume of liquid the size of the bubble at operational temperature has gone somewhere.

Why not refill it. I’ve done it and considerably reduced the bubble.
I am willing to be wrong here but I’m not sure how I am.

Let Silva solva if they will.

 

[demented dale]

its a very nice keepsake and great its not gona sit in some draw somewhere or worse. good luck x

 

[Jared]

Does Silva make other models with the same sized capsule?

Would be tempted to try swap out the capsule, if wanted to keep it in use.

 

[TeeDee]

Does Silva make other models with the same sized capsule?

Would be tempted to try swap out the capsule, if wanted to keep it in use.

It wouldn't then be the same compass - of the same man.

Personally and maybe this is a bit of a perspective shift , the bubble has grown with the life of the man whom owned it - I'd keep it as it is. Bubble and all.

 

[Jared]

Would still have the old capsule. It's a preferable option to drilling imo.

 

[Riven]

I have swapped several capsules, easily done. A wire spring around the underside of the capsule holds it in place. Carefully remove with a small screwdriver and replace. As had been said you can keep the original. The doner capsules have come from compasses from charity shops and eBay for cheap. Good luck.