NavList:

On the subject of odd tools, my advice to anyone who intends to dismantle or
otherwise tamper with the mechanical components of a bubble sextant ensure
that they have the proper tools for doing so. There is a temptation to use
the "approximate" tool, however -- and this is based on bitter personal
experience -- no good can come of it. The result is, at worst, a ruined
instrument or component. At best a chewed up fastener that can no longer be
used. Just try to find a replacement nowadays. Good luck.

Living where I do, finding the right tool is more often than not, a futile
effort. I was fortunate in that I had a good friend who is a machinist. A
damn good one at that. He fabricated a number of specialty tools for me and
specifically tools for dismantling my Plath bubble attachment. Regrettably,
he has long since left town so I am without a machinist.

To all budding tamperers out there: befriend a machinist or at least
cultivate a friendly relationship with one. With the proper tools and a
little bit of intelligence, any job can be accomplished.

And Red: yes, you are being cynical but I share your cynicism. All too
often, I am finding that mechanical contrivances require specialized tools
only sold by the company that manufactures the item and at ridiculously
inflated costs. I won't name names but one such company comes to mind: they
are based in Sweden, and produce marine diesel engines. A friend of mine
from the USA calls them "green alters" because the parts cost a fortune. I
should add that they are good engines but damn costly to maintain. Anyway, I
had to order an injector puller from them. Cost me $75.00 and guess what?
The damn thing disintegrated and didn't even pull the injector. I had a
mechanic friend (and machinist) who works as one of the XXXXX dealers in
Newfoundland fabricate a proper puller for me -- for free.  Worked like a
charm.

Hexane can be obtained from any lab supply company. The stuff is sold by the
quart, if I am not mistaken. I have lots of it due to the nature of my work
and the fact that liaise with a lot of researchers who end up with surplus
chemicals at the end of their field seasons. Not that I take everything on
offer! Just the stuff I can use.

Robert


----- Original Message -----
From: "Red" <hellosailor@verizon.net>
To: <NavList@fer3.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 5:42 PM
Subject: [NavList 1263] Re: sextant for use on land


>
> James, Home Depot usually stocks Xylene in pint cans. The stock varies but
> if
> yours doesn't have it hidden someplace, try any other paint shop or auto
> body/paint supply. I think I paid $4? for a pint last year, and know it
> came
> from a Home Depot.
>
> I'd never seen or heard of a "Bristol Spline Wrench" until this post and
> I'm
> familiar with a number of odd tools. I guess there's always one more. The
> Bristol Wrench Company (holders of the patent<G>) are online and their
> explanation of the special properties of the design makes sense, but I
> suspect
> proper metallurgy and design allow a conventional Allen (hex) stud to
> replace
> it.
>
> Color me cynical but I'd swear the real purpose of that B.S.W. fitting is
> a
> tamper-proofing design, with no practical purpose for the individual
> owner. A
> way to keep "the other" aviation mechanics from refilling the bubble with
> incorrect fluids, and damaging the sextants, perhaps.
>
>
> >


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