Danforth compass swinging

[Claude]

Hi folks
I want to swing my Danforth compass
Downloaded instructions on how to but
There anr two screws on the compass, one is in the front and the other is on the right hand side.
I do not know which screw adjusts north-south or east-west
I've lost my Danforth manual.

Can someone help me on this one.

Regards, Claude

 

[Cruiser1]

Hi Claude,
Seeing you have had no replies to date I will offer the following:
Do a Google search on "Swinging Danforth Compass" - a heap of threads come up on that one.

Viking Optics appear to have purchased Danforth last year - an email to them may also assist. http://www.vikingoptics.com/daco.html

 

[Robspan]

I'm not sure if this is what you're getting at, but..........

Usually there are two slot head screw openings on the side of the compass, set at right angles. If you turn either of them, preferably with a nonmagnetic screwdriver, the compass card will move in one direction or the other. You need to noodle around with it to figure out where the card will move to and stay at the point that compensates for the variation (true north v. mag. north).

If you want to swing the compass to set up a card to tell you deviation at various headings, to compensate for the boat's magnetic field, I wouldn't think that it's worth it for our boats. They don't have enough nearby magnetic metal, such as an inboard engine, to create much deviation. The outboard is probably far enough away not to affect the compass enough to matter. But if you do swing the boat for deviation, be sure you have first adjusted for variation.

Instead of bothering with either type of compensation, I just get on course with the gps, then note the compass heading and stay with that. IMO, it would still be smart to do this, even if you have done either or both types of compensation.