[Mitch]

I've been looking for a good looking molecular model set and decided to purchase HGS' Stereochemistry Molecular Model 4010 Student Set. The set came with everything I needed to make the organic structures I'm interested in. A picture of a molecule I made with the molecular model kit is shown below.


Some nice things about the set is that everything is small. I like smaller molecular model sets, big bulky sets look like they're for beginners and are not for the discerning connoisseur.

The major drawbacks of the set is the following. The set only comes with 6 sp² carbons, so if you are an aromaticity freak, that'll probably not be enough. Also, I asked for the set to not require a signature on delivery and of course a signature was required when UPS came to deliver it. The set costs $52.00 before shipping and that seems too high for a toy. That's almost enough to by a robodinosaur with.


Actually, I don't know why molecular model sets always seem to cost so much, they're not exotically shaped works of plastic. They're just a bunch of plastic sticks and balls at fix lengths, what is so complicated? If you know of any other awesome molecular model sets, feel free to post a link in the comments section.

Note1: Link to HGS' commercial website: http://www.maruzen.info/hgs/catalog/
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Mitch

[Ψ×Ψ]

Only 6 sp² carbons?  How would I ever survive???  The fewest sp²s I can count in one of my vials-of-fun is fourteen! 
On the plus side, there isn't as much need to build models of beautiful flat pi-systems.  No stereochemistry!  Yay!!

[Mitch]

Building models is always useful.

[movies]

I have a couple of the HGS sets too, but I have the 5000 Bio-organic set which has 20 sp2 carbons and costs the same!  Check the "best sellers" link on their main page.

Our stock room has these for sale and we get them much cheaper than they are listed on their web page.  I wonder how many you have to buy to get that kind of discount.

I do agree with you that these models are the best I have used.

[FeLiXe]

a molecular model set. that sounds tempting. but I'll stick with PyMOL for now

[constant thinker]

At my school we have really crappy wooden ball and stick model sets, with springs for multiple bonds. They love to fall apart a lot. Makes for great H₂O fights when the teacher isn't paying attention though.

[Ψ×Ψ]

a molecular model set. that sounds tempting. but I'll stick with PyMOL for now

I knew I couldn't be the only one to prefer modeling programs to models.  Sooo much faster!

[enahs]

I too, prefer computer models.

But if you really want a cheap set, just go to the local craft store and by a giant bag of small, various colored Styrofoam balls. Toothpicks then work great for single rigid bonds, and you can use paper clips for double/triple bonds (you can bend them to the shape you need! or anything else rigid but slightly flexible).

This is of course just a simple ball and stick model, but you can make your carbon atom d2sp3 hybridized if you so chose...if you like making up crap.



I am not sure when I got these, or why, but some how I managed to get 2 free sets of this:
http://www.amazon.com/Prentice-Molecular-Model-Organic-Chemistry/dp/0205081363
Not that I ever really use em, ehh.