Customer Reviews

Fisher Molecular Model Set

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

this is an extremely attractive modeling set, from a purely aesthetic standpoint im almost certain its nicer than the other sets out there, each atom is quite large - at least the size of a common gumball, the wood is fragrant and pleasant to touch and it has a classic appearance - like something you would find in a 50s classroom. the price is also reasonable. but as my title indicates there are very few (10) carbon atoms included, this should have been evident from the picture, but i somehow assumed there would be more. just enough atoms to make most amino acids and structures like serotonin but not enough to make most common psychoactive molecules and it does include flourine - so keep that in mind. great for modeling benzene napthalene etc. but if you want to build any sort of medium to large molecule you will require two or three sets.

I bought this kit for a college Organic Chemistry class. Although the kit is expensive relative to other college-level model kits, the wooden molecule parts (colored balls and pegs) are sturdier than the plastic bits my colleagues' kits have.

I ran into some trouble trying to construct haloalkanes. The wooden pegs that represent bonds only allow you to make ~110 degree bond angles, so you're forced to use springs to create anything smaller than a hexane. Unfortunately, these springs are pretty floppy and so it's hard to see the single ring and fused ring structures in your finished molecule.

It seems that this kit is most appropriate for a classroom setting where it would be handled a lot and would need to stand up to a lot of punishment. Apart from that, it's easier to just visualize the molecule than to try to jam the pegs into the holes drilled into the Carbon atoms. The variety of molecules would be good for someone who plans on taking Inorganic as well as Organic chemistry.

I purchased this set as a supplement to my college Organic Chemistry course. The set is nice, but not ideal for bringing to class. It comes in a cardboard box with a lid that slides on, which would be ok if the set stayed on a shelf most of the time. Also, as it has been said before, it doesn't come with sufficient Carbon atoms for building complex molecules. I like the set for doing my homework, but I wish it was easier to bring with me. I think the set is nicer than some of the plastic sets that other students use, but it is bulky and not made to be moved around much.

It looks great!
I wish it had at least one transition metal with octahedral possibility - a ball with 6 holes. But this set doesn't have it. But I am almost sure that most of the other model sets also do not have it, so it is not the reason to give it 4 stars, instead of 5.
I recommend it to any chemist - just to have at home. there are occasionally discussions, when you just need to visualize the shape in space. And of course, it's good if you study symmetry or group theory.

I was about to make a still life painting with it - it looks really nice! )

We ordered this "Fisher Student Molecular Model Set" as a gift for my pre-med collage student daughter (she specifically requested this set). First thing to point out is that this is a physically large set with each wooden element being aprox 1" in diameter and includes bonding rods that are 1" and 2" long, so making some of the more complicated molecules can produce very large models.

The set has a decidedly retro look like one from a 1950's Sci-Fi movie, but it is solid and well made. The included components are exactly as shown packaged in the box in the Amazon product picture (but not the assembled models on the table). These include:

10 Black (with 4 bonding holes) - Carbon
2 Blue (with 3 bonding holes) - Nitrogen
26 Yellow (with 1 bonding hole) - Hydrogen
6 Red (with 2 bonding holes) - Oxygen
4 Green (with 1 bonding hole) - Chlorine
2 Orange (with 1 bonding hole) - Bromine
2 Purple (with 1 bonding hole) - Iodine

30 1" Pegs for single bonds
10 2" Pegs for single bonds
10 2" Springs for double and triple bonds, or ring structures

The wooden balls are nicely painted with some of them very slightly irregular, but only really noticeable on very close inspection and does not effect functionality.

While models made from this set look great they are not really portable due to the large size, so we also bought 1001/Fundamental General Chemistry Set (HGS Polyhedron Molecular Model) which is made of plastic and comes in a pocket sized carrying case.

Recommended, with the above caveats!

CFH

I wanted that 50s classroom style molecular model set. Although, I bought it to help with organic chemistry study, I often leave my handywork on the coffee table, as it just looks so good.

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The Fisher Molecule Model I ordered was so useful, I ordered a second kit within the week.

I had a question for Fisher about the Model and its uses, so I called Customer Service.

Not only did the receptionist promise to have someone call me back, the progress made in answering my question was tracked continually by e-mail. Not only did I get a call back, my question was entirely answered, and I got E-Mail confirmations from Fisher. These are very nice people to deal with if you have any questions.

The parts are wooden balls with holes in various colors. They are joined by wooden pegs which work very nicely.

A single sheet of paper accompanies the boxed set, and it indicates that:

BLACK = CARBON

BLUE = NITROGEN

YELLOW = HYDROGEN

RED = OXYGEN

GREEN = CHLORINE

ORANGE = BROMINE

PURPLE = IODINE

This is definitely a good buy.

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I ordered this for my college Organic Chemistry course. I was very disappointed when I received the kit and it only had 10 carbon atoms. That's not even enough to make two benzene rings. Also, the bonds barely fit into the holes on the atoms. It came in a cardboard box, so I don't even know how I would carry it from class to class without it getting squished and losing all the pieces. It's pathetic to even consider this a model kit.

My now nine year old loves this set that he got last year. He loves chemistry and likes building molecules.

My 9 year old son is really interestedin chemistry, he loves this set. Fun to wake up and hear "Mom, look I made Glucose". Reminds me of my high school chemistry teacher! Great set for the price