NavList:

   

Reply

Geoffrey Kolbe wrote...

"The trouble with vegetable oils and animal oils is that they go rancid.
That is, they oxidize and usually turn into something quite acidic.
When I took my chronometer in to a specialist in chronometer repair, the
first thing he did was sniff it. If he smelt rancid sperm whale oil, he
said, the chronometer would have to be completely dismantled and cleaned as
a matter of course."


Agreed that you should be very careful with what oil is used within a clock
- most especially a marine chronometer if you are lucky enough to own a
valued piece. I am not so sure that use on a sextant is just as critical but
looking at the price of the stuff - there is no reason not to use the best
oil. I know the following is advertising by a particular sextant maker - but
of interest none the less......

"Since the middle of the last century, the finest instrument oils were
derived from high-grade whale oil. Such oils had high viscosity and superb
resistance to both oxidation and gumming. They also had superior film
strength on metal surfaces. Today, Federal law prohibits use of marine
mammal oils. Fortunately, it has been found that jojoba beans produce oil of
a similar molecular structure. This oil has been combined with synthetics to
produce Nye Clock Oil 140B. It brings back the qualities of the old whale
oil, and is the finest instrument oil available today. It is highly
recommended for sextant lubrication. It is packaged in a 1/4-ounce bottle."

.....and $6 worth I am sure will last a long time.



Kinch.

   

Reply