NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: It's time to do it.
From: Bill B
Date: 2006 Jul 26, 15:35 -0500
Herbert wrote:
> Same for the sextant: Metal sextant, plastic box. My box is very rugged,
> has the shape of a suitcase, with a sturdy handle that can be folded, it
> has round corners, no sharp edges, and it is stuffed with foam which has
> custom made cut outs for the sextant and its accessories. Because of the
> foam, the storing position should not matter. At first glance, a case
> that cost a fifth of the price of the Astra which it was designed to
> hold, looked like overkill, but it was a sound investment. In this box,
> the sextant has withstood not only many heavy poundings in choppy seas,
> but, equally important to me, many aircraft flights as checked baggage
> (The box can be locked).
I to purchased the plastic case, and like it. My concern was the top foam
pressing down on the index and horizon mirror frames, as well as the horizon
mirror spring. Transport has caused a shift of up to 0.8' in the IE. I also
did not like the idea of the frames taking the shock in a drop situation.
To that end I modified the support system to reflect the OEM box. I cut
away the foam around the frames so they are free and clear. I purchased a
round, 2 1/2" piece of rigid floral foam. I fit it to just touch the frame
in closed position and glued it to the box lid. Then a circular piece of
fabric-coated neoprene was glued on to the end touching the frame. That
gives slight downward pressure and a surface that will not scratch the
frame. The rigid foam, like a rigid helmet lining, has the plus of being
somewhat sacrificial and energy absorbing in the case of a hard knock.
No more IE or side error changes now.
Bill
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To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com
To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com
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From: Bill B
Date: 2006 Jul 26, 15:35 -0500
Herbert wrote:
> Same for the sextant: Metal sextant, plastic box. My box is very rugged,
> has the shape of a suitcase, with a sturdy handle that can be folded, it
> has round corners, no sharp edges, and it is stuffed with foam which has
> custom made cut outs for the sextant and its accessories. Because of the
> foam, the storing position should not matter. At first glance, a case
> that cost a fifth of the price of the Astra which it was designed to
> hold, looked like overkill, but it was a sound investment. In this box,
> the sextant has withstood not only many heavy poundings in choppy seas,
> but, equally important to me, many aircraft flights as checked baggage
> (The box can be locked).
I to purchased the plastic case, and like it. My concern was the top foam
pressing down on the index and horizon mirror frames, as well as the horizon
mirror spring. Transport has caused a shift of up to 0.8' in the IE. I also
did not like the idea of the frames taking the shock in a drop situation.
To that end I modified the support system to reflect the OEM box. I cut
away the foam around the frames so they are free and clear. I purchased a
round, 2 1/2" piece of rigid floral foam. I fit it to just touch the frame
in closed position and glued it to the box lid. Then a circular piece of
fabric-coated neoprene was glued on to the end touching the frame. That
gives slight downward pressure and a surface that will not scratch the
frame. The rigid foam, like a rigid helmet lining, has the plus of being
somewhat sacrificial and energy absorbing in the case of a hard knock.
No more IE or side error changes now.
Bill
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com
To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
