STAEDTLER Comfort Metal Quick Setting 6" Compass 2 Piece Set: Universal Adapter, Push-Button Mechanism & Extra Leads - Draws Circles up to 350mm

The combination of features in this compass make it extremely easy to use, very precise and also very versatile.The wheel allows you to adjust the compass radius minutely, and the buttons allow you to easily and quickly change the radius by large amounts. In actual operation how this works is, you use the buttons to adjust to radius to very close to the one you want, and then you use the wheel to quickly fine-tune it to the exact radius required. It's worth noting that the wheel adjusts more finely than the wheel on the similar Staedtler compass which lacks the buttons. (On that compass, if the wheel screws were as finely tuned as on this one, it would take far too long to adjust the compass radius by large amounts since that other compass has no button release.)The max radius is in excess of 8 inches—don't know exactly the size but it's very large.Additionally, there is an extra piece which you can put in place of the compass lead, which open up and allows you to tighten into place any kind of writing instrument or paintbrush, chalk or whatever. It allows for pen-like objects quite a bit wider than a standard pencil, so even fancy gel pens can fit into it and be tightened in. Also, the design of the tightening screw is such that it will not damage what you put into it. (Some compasses have a screw that screws directly into the side of the inserted wooden pencil, leaving a small hole. This compass just squeezes the pen or pencil with a curved plastic piece—nice design.)The case is very nice and professional and protects your compass and lead and so forth. The catch on the case is just right—easy to open, but it is very unlikely to come open by itself in a backpack. I suppose it could if you REALLY bashed your bag around, but I've never had a problem with it.Also included is a small cylinder for holding extra lead, which comes with several leads and—surprise! an extra metal compass tip. Nice touch. Haven't had a need for it so far. Actually, since the metal tip is the same width as the compass lead, you could even replace the lead with the extra metal tip so you would have a compass with two metal tips and no lead—something like carpenters compasses I have seen. I haven't personally needed to do this but it might be handy.Both arms of the compass have the same connector screws, so you could use the pen/paintbrush holder in place of the metal tip, instead of in place of the lead tip. Again, I've never needed to, but you could do it easily if you wanted to. (In other words, you would then have two tips: one of lead for drawing, and the other whatever you put into the plastic grip and tightened in.)The compass has one more feature, which I'm not really sure the purpose of. Both of the standard arms—lead holder and metal tip—can be bent inward on a hinge that's about halfway up the arms. The hinge is fairly stiff so they will NEVER bend that way by accident. They can't bend outward at all, only inward. I don't know why this would be useful, since you can just use the button release to make the radius smaller instead of bending them in like that, but there it is. (Please comment if you know what that feature is for.)Overall, this is easily the best compass I have ever seen or used and for me, well worth the price of about $25.

I vaguely remember using a compass when I was in K12. I remember them always being those terrible ones that always slid out of place and were frustrating to adjust. I've been buying various tools this year to help me draw more accurate plans for my contraptions and this has been a welcome addition to my toolkit.When you first open it you can tell that it's going to be worlds better than those cheapo ones you used in school. It feels sturdy and has a nice weight to it. The quick-adjustment buttons make large adjustments a breeze. Be sure to depress them fully and firmly and ensure that the adjustments are easy. After getting close to the desired size, the wheel makes it easy to make precise adjustments. It's made of a mixture of plastic and metal. The blue parts are made of plastic but they don't feel cheap. The locking pins are also made of plastic but that hasn't proved to be an issue thus far. Hopefully they last a long time.The set includes the compass, 2 additional pieces of lead, an additional metal tip, and the universal adapter which allows you to use a pen/pencil/etc instead of the lead point. It's not in the product photo for some reason so I've included two photos.All in all it's a great kit. It's a quality compass and I don't mind spending a few extra dollars to buy something that's going to last a long time. It's made drawing circles a breeze. It's a tad pricier than others but I've had no issues thus far. The quick setting buttons are a must have. The universal adapter is a great tool to have as well.

Back in the day when I was in high school my dad bought me a compass very similar to this one. This compass has a nice weight to it. It has a nice feel to it. When you spin the wheel to increase the diameter or decrease the diameter. It takes a little bit of an effort, which is such a wonderful fill. To me it tells me that this is a quality, sturdy built compass. This compass is going to last me a very long time. It’s accurate and it’s just a joy to use. Back in the day I used my compass for drafting. Now fast forward to 2023, I will be using this for some of my artwork. I will be doing sketches and I will also be using it to do some drawings on my canvas before I paint. I am very satisfied with my purchase, and I highly recommend buying this compass if you were in the market for a good compass. It’s going to last you a long time.

Solid build like a fine machine!!

First one I had, the clamping wheel on the lead side was busted. Second one works great and it’s very quick to adjust. It has a good weight to it as well but the parts are very small and you have to be pretty careful with the screws as to not over, tighten them because once you do, it’s hard to find replacements.

Granted not a high end device. But I have to say, the features, attachments and functionality of this compass meet and exceed all of MY needs. This comes with a good solid case too. This is going to be used in a smallish wood shop/studio. Everything I have done so far has been spot on. I am pretty happy with this compass. It gets my recommendation.