[weephee]

I have a Danforth constellation pedestal compass that used to have two compensating rods perpendicular to one another attached to the bottom of the brass shell housing the compass. How important is it to have these compensators and are they something someone could make themselves. Thanks

 

[sailaway21]

For what it would cost you and the time and aggravation, I'd expect that you could have a whole new compass. The Danforth is neither a particularly good nor expensive compass; I'd replace it. And yes you do need those compensating rods so that you can eliminate as much deviation as possible from the compass.