Staedtler Masterbow Comfort Student Compass for Circles to 10.25 Inch Diameter, Lead and Pouch (551-40-WP)

by Staedtler

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 3.2 x 7.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0013CKLIU
• Item model number: 551-40-WP
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,092 in Office Products (See Top 100 in Office Products)
  • #5 in Office Products > Educational Supplies > Writing & Correction Supplies > Technical Drawing Supplies > Compasses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 26, 2008

Product Description

Ease-of-use makes compass ideal for students. High degree of precision will simplify first circle-drawing exercises at school. Micro-set center wheel leg adjustment makes circles to 10 1/4" diameter. Maximum Circle Diameter Created: 10 1/4 in; Global Product Type: Compasses; Material(s): Metal; Color(s): Chrome.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Where to purchase leads for this compass, February 6, 2010

By 

KM "watercolor newbie" (Anderson, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Staedtler Masterbow Comfort Student Compass for Circles to 10.25 Inch Diameter, Lead and Pouch (551-40-WP) (Office Product)

I purchased a more expensive model of this compass (Staedtler Geo Master), and I too, did not read the small print that said, "contains Lead Container". It didn't say it actually had any lead IN the container! And yes, this was certainly a rip-off considering I paid $15 for my compass. Anyway, you can purchase the leads from Micheal's craft stores. They are 2mm and contained in 3 tubes about 4 inches long. They are hanging next to the compasses. Unfortunately, you will pay as much for the lead refills as you did for the compass! It costs $6.49, so make sure you have one of their 40-50% off coupons before you shop. I have 4 kids to go through Geometry, so I looked at the lead purchase as a long-term investment. With that said, I will now address the problem that I had with the more expensive compass - after only 4 weeks of use, the compass started to unwind itself! The gear won't hold the legs still so my son cannot draw a circle. It's really neat to watch, but it's completely unusable. I do not know if this particular compass does this, but the plastic nuts get stripped from usage and the screw and gear just takes off by itself. Check to make sure those nuts in the legs where the screw/gear is connected are made of metal instead of plastic. Mine is going back. This is completely unacceptable.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome sturdy Compass, but..., October 26, 2009

By 

Ms. Ann M. Gillilan "homeschoolmomof3" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Staedtler Masterbow Comfort Student Compass for Circles to 10.25 Inch Diameter, Lead and Pouch (551-40-WP) (Office Product)

I'm thrilled with the sturdiness of the compass which is being used by my homeschooled 5th grader, but I worry about the little led that comes with it. I didn't realize, (because apparently I didn't read thoroughly enough), that it comes with it's own lead. My worry is what happens when that lead and the one extra sent with it breaks or runs out. Will it be hard to order just lead? I would only recommend that the next person buying this product do more research on it than I did.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars incredibly poor!!, January 4, 2010

By 

Kerry Pierce "kerrypierce" (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Staedtler Masterbow Comfort Student Compass for Circles to 10.25 Inch Diameter, Lead and Pouch (551-40-WP) (Office Product)

The compass arrived in a really cheap plastic holster that had several tears in the plastic. There was a plastic tube for holding extra leads, that was empty. There was no lead in the compass..... Lastly, there are no instructions with the compass, nothing to indicate the size of leads that fit the compass. Searching Staedtler's web site, didn't produce any documentation on the size of the leads that the compass takes.

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! What is this, a secret society that only members can know what leads to buy to put in their compass?

My compass needs are rather meager and simple. I want a compass with a relatively fine writing point, that locks solidly where you set it. This compass seemed to fit those rather meager needs quite well. But, I'm not going to waste any more time trying to figure out what size lead will work with this compass, nor will I beg someone to tell me the secret.

I've printed a return label and this worthless waste of time is going back to Amazon in the afternoon outbound shipment and I'll buy another compass from anyone but Staedtler. If no other maker has a compass in this style, I'll do without. I won't do business with a company like Staedtler that can't be bothered to put the most minimal, but crucial, information on their products.

Here's what I bought to replace the Staedtler, JET-BOW COMPASS WITH BEAM BAR It has more capability than I probably need, but maybe for the extra money, it will actually have leads in the package.... There are cheaper and more expensive Alvin models too, but I decided a mid-range package would be best for my needs.