Discussion: baseplate compass repair

Does anyone have any tips on replacing the round compass back into a base plate. It seems like its a tough fit. I am wondering about heating up the baseplate to make it more flexible? Its a silva jet 5.

you might find the manufacturer will do it for free - but that would require posting it back and might take some time

Before you heat up the baseplate, try putting the compass capsule into the freezer for a couple hours. If it still doesn't fit, gradually heat up the baseplate in hot water, and try again.

Finding ways to fit a large round object into a small hole is always a challenge...some guys are better at it than others.

some guys are better at it than others.

But most don't have to worry about it.

So in your experience, Clark, do you find that putting the large round object into the freezer helps? I can see how it's a good idea to get the thing with the hole in it hot, but...

On a Jet 5 the capsule should fit easily. There are 2 small grooves on the capsule at North and South, which fit into the plastic ring. If it doesn't fit then I'd say someone has given you the wrong capsule.

Actually it only says type 5 made in sweden. There is a small opening at the top of the circle in the base plate, about 1/4 of an inch or 7 mm. On the capsule there are no groves I can see. I am just replacing a broke base plate with a broke capsule from the same style. It just a hard fit and I did try the freezer method and heated up the base in the sun. No go.

Maybe I should heat up both to make them both flexible???

Silva capsules for different compasses are subtly different in both size and fitting aspects, and while the baseplates have type markings, the capsules don't. The opening you refer to doesn't have a purpose as far as I can tell, because it didn't exist on earlier models of the type 1 or 5 with the turbo grip.

The grooves that I referred to are tiny - less than 1mm, with corresponding tongues inside, and at the base of, the plastic ring that fits into the baseplate to hold the capsule. There are also 4 tongues on the outside of this ring (at N, E, S & W) which the degree ring and turbo grip ring are meant to fit onto.

I've just dismantled, interchanged and reassembled two type 5s (one with a Jet needle, the other not) and a 1S (with Jet). They all fitted perfectly.

I still think you've got the wrong capsule.

Thanks simmo, I do believe I have the right capsule, as the broken baseplate is the exact same as I am trying to put the capsule in. I guess these compasses are older models. I will take this to Scotland this summer and see if any of the vendors can help. I also bought a thumb compass that I could attempt to learn t use. But lets not get that subject started.

Will the broken capsule fit into the broken baseplate?

It should, but the discussion has been attempts to put it in. It just does not want to go. The good capsule came from the exact same baseplate. Someone suggested to send it back to Johnson Co.

Well...we all want to try first.
I suggest you take them with you to the Scottish O week, lay them on the ground at each day's Start, under a sign that reads:

"These are the famous AttackPoint Jet 5 compass components. Put Part A into Part B and win $20 from Soupbone"

...when in Scotland maybe you should say £20...

What I'm wondering is whether they are not the same diameter, for some unknown reason. If that's the case, then the broken capsule should fit into the broken baseplate easily. If that doesn't fit either, then something weird is going on. Can you fit either capsule into either baseplate? Do you still have all four components?

JJ, All I am going to say that its a tight fit, the broken base does fit around the good capsule. The broken capsule is gone, I used a drill to bust it out. So I only have 3 components. I think in the end its a manufacture issue, that I will take to Scotland and see if any vendors can have any insite on how to fix this. Of course that means flying overseas with junk. I need some practice on working the thumb compass as I don't think you can fall and have them hit the ground as much as baseplates.

As your old rogaining partner, I have a few observations: First of all, you hold the compass wrong. I've seen you run, and you hold the baseplate compass out in front of you in a cupped hand. In a fall, you'll turn that hand over to protect yourself, and smash the compass against the ground. The miracle is that you seldom seem to fall...I've never seen you bloodied.

Secondly, a Silva is more fragile. Comparing the Silva and Moscow baseplate compasses, I found that the thinnest part of the baseplate (at the two sides of the capsule) is almost half as thick on a Silva (3mm vs 5mm), even tho the Moscow compass is smaller overall.

So don't take that Jet5 junk overseas; buy a Moscow compass while you're over there, and learn to carry it in a more protected manner....:-)

learn to carry it in a more protected manner....:-)

He could attach a string and hang it around his neck.

Forget putting it together... How do you take one apart?

Specifically a standard orienteering baseplate compass?

How do you define 'standard'? With older Silva compasses and their current less expensive models you simply turn them over and remove the spring that you can see holding the capsule in place. Current Moscompass baseplates (and thumbies) have the same system (so you can interchange the same capsule between a baseplate and thumbie). Don't know about Suunto, never owned one. For Silva's more expensive models such as 5 Jet and 1S, use a jeweller's screwdriver to prise up firstly the top part of the bezel, then use the same tool to prise up the rest of the bezel.

Its a Silva "more expensive model". I just wanted to clean it because it wasn't rotating smoothly. Your instructions worked perfectly -- thanks!

Yeah, those Jet models can easily get a bit of grit inside, which makes rotation difficult.