Drawing Instruments, uses, care and

practices.
Arranged by Al-Moshey R. Tidal from the Book Technical Drawing by
Frederick Giesecke

Drawing Pencil - Traditional and typical pens used for technical drawing are
pencils and technical pen. Pencils in use are usually mechanical pencil with a
standard lead thickness. General line widths are 0.18 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm and
0.7 mm.
Hardness
varies
usually
from HB
to 2H.
Softer lead gives a better contrast, but harder lead gives more accurate track. Bad
contrast of the lead track in general is problematic at photocopying, but new
scanning copy techniques have improved the final result. Paper or plastic surfaces
do require their own lead types.

Mechanical pencil and drawing pencil

T-square - A T-square is a straightedge which uses the edge of the drawing board
as a support. It is used with the drafting board to draw horizontal lines and to align
other drawing instruments. Wood, metal, or plastic triangles with 30 and 60 degree
angles or with two 45 degree angles are used to speed drawing of lines at these

commonly used angles. Also in use are a continuously adjustable 0-90 degrees
protractor. An alternative to the T-square is the parallel bar which is permanently
attached to the drawing board. It has a set of cables and pulleys to allow it to be
positioned anywhere on the drawing surface while still remaining parallel to the
bottom of the board. The drafting machine replaces the T-square and triangles.

T- Square

Triangle - Three-sided thin device made of celluloid, metal or plastic used as

guide in drawing vertical and inclined lines.

Kinds of triangle

a. 30x60 degrees triangle – a scalene and right angled

triangle. It encloses a 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90
degrees angles.
b. 45x45 degrees triangle – a right-angled triangle that
forms 45 degrees at its opposite angles and one 90
degrees at the other.

Rulers - Rulers used in technical drawing are usually

made of polystyrene. Rulers come in two types
according to the design of their edge. Straight edge
can be used with lead and felt pens, whereas when
technical pen is used the edge must be grooved to
prevent the spread of the ink.

Drawing Board - if the left edge of the drafting table top has a true straight edge
and if the surface is hard and smooth (such as masonite), a drawing board is
unnecessary, provided that drafting tape is used to fasten the drawings. It is
recommended that a backing sheet of heavy drawing paper be placed between the
drawing and the table top.

View of a drafting table: the old way of producing architectural and engineering
drawings. On the top of the board is a parallel ruler

Scales

A drawing of an object may be the same as the object (full size), or it may be larger
or smaller than the object. For objects that could fit to the size of the paper, it is
drawing in actual size. For objects that are too small in actual size like the spare
parts of watches, they need to be doubled or tripled in size. For objects that are too
large for the size of the paper, they need to be reduced like the building design. It is
most accurate graduated instrument in drafting with graduations to the minute
division of varying ratios. It may either enlarge or reduce a drawing.

Kinds of scale

Scales are classified according to the sectional forms and the unit of graduations
used throughout its length.

a. Metric scale – a type of scale using centimeter and a fraction of it as a unit.

It is used in the metric system
b. English scale – a scale utilizing an inch as a unit. It is classified into
different types like
1. Architect scale – an English scale graduated to the nearest fraction of an
inch. This is used for building plans, piping systems and other structure
to reduced scale.
 2. Engineer scale – an English scale graduated to the nearest decimal of an
inch. It is an open-divided scale with only the end units sub-divided. It is
also called civil engineer scale or chain scale.
3. Decimal scale – the full size is divided into fifteenths and are compressed
to half and quarter size and then divided again into 10 parts so that each
sub-division stands for 1 inch.
4. Mechanical – a scale with units subdivided into units representing a full,
half, quarter or eight size. It is generally used in machine drawing.

Architect Scale is a scaled, three-edged ruler which has six different scales marked
to its sides. A typical combination for buildings details is
1:20, 1:50, 1:100, 1:25, 1:75 and 1:125. There are their own
rulers for zoning work as well as for inch units. Today scale
rulers are made of plastic, formerly of hardwood. A pocket-
sized version is also available, with scales printed on
flexible plastic stripes.

Compass - The compass is used for drawing circles or arc

segments of circles. One form has two straight legs joined
by a hinge; one leg has a sharp pivot point and the other has
a holder for a technical or pencil. Another form, the beam compass, has the pivot
point and pen holder joined by a bar, useful when drawing very large radius arcs.
Often a circle template is used instead of a compass when predefined circle sizes
are required.

Divider - Dividers are similar to the compass in construction

and are made in square, flat, and round forms. As the name
implies, are used for dividing distances into a number of equal
parts. They are used also for transferring distance or for setting
off a series of equal distance.
Template - Templates contain pre-dimensioned holes in
the right scale to accurately draw a symbol or sign.

Letter templates will deliver the text, as well number as

letter characters. Diagrams are usually of a standard letter
shape and size to conform to standards of encodings (e.g.
DIN or ANSI). For example in Finland the series used is
1.8 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 5.0 mm and 7.0 mm. Except for
the very biggest ones, the templates are suitable for only
technical pen drawing.

For drawing circles and circle-arcs, circle templates are

used, containing a suitable set of holes in certain
dimensions, with suitable sized holes in them. Models are
also available for other geometric shapes such as squares and for drawing ellipses,
as well as many specialized varieties for other purposes.

There are also specific templates to provide user with the most common symbols in
use in different branches of designing. For example the architect templates can be
used to draw different sized doors with their "opening arcs", building and
equipment symbols and furniture. The templates also provide the symbols for
thermal insulation.

French curve

Two methods of drawing smooth curves in manual drafting

are the use of French curves or flat splines (flexible
curves). A French curve is a drawing aid with many
different smoothly-varying radiuses curves on it; the
manual drafter can fit the French curve to some known
reference points and draw a smooth curved line between
them. A spline is a flexible ruler, usually rubber or plastic coated with a metal
"backbone", which can be smoothly shaped to follow a desired curve and allows
drawing a smooth line between initial reference points. Sometimes a spline is
temporarily held in position with small weights.

Eraser - erasers are available in many degrees of hardness and abrasiveness. For
general drafting the pink pearl or the mars-plastic is suggested. These are suitable
for erasing pencil or ink line work.

Dusting Brush - Is useful for removing eraser crumbs without smearing the
drawing.

Eraser Shield – Is used to protect the lines near those being erased.

Drafting paper - Silk-paper -like translucent drafting paper that wrinkles when
wetted. It is primarily suitable for pencils and felt tip pens. Pencil marks can be
corrected to some extent with an eraser.

Thick draft paper

Sandwich paper -like, thin translucent sheet of paper. Manufactured

in different strengths, the surface may be slightly polished. Also
this paper wrinkles upon wetting. Suitable for lead, and felt tipped
pens, and with limitations for technical pens. Eraser used for lead
tracks. Ink is difficult to erase without damage.

Cloth
Use for cleaning and whipping of the dirt and inks from drawing instruments

Cloth

Tracing paper

Polished sandwich paper -like, translucent thick paper, which comes in different
strengths. Wrinkles upon wetting. Suitable for both graphite pencils and technical
pens. An eraser or sharp scraper tool is used for corrections.

In drawing, plastic's specific advantages over translucent paper are higher

mechanical strength and the dimensional accuracy; plastic doesn't, unlike paper,
shrink or stretch with air humidity. Plastic is also as a surface completely flat,
while the surface of paper is relatively rough. The plastic is suitable for both lead
and drawing pens. However, the surface tends to wear the pen tips, which has to be
made of hard-metal alloy. Ordinary ink doesn't get absorbed into the plastic at all,
so the lines can be easily removed with an eraser. Photocopier tracks can be
removed by scraping.

Tracing paper
Technical pen - is a specialized instrument used by an engineer, architect, or

drafter to make lines of constant width for architectural, engineering, or technical

drawings.

inks - Drawing inks can be divided into two groups: India ink and polymer inks.
India ink is used on paper and drafting film plastics. The most commonly used

India ink is a colloidal mixture of water and carbon black

Rotring Ink

Masking tape - This is used for fastening the drawing paper on the drawing table
or drawing board because it does not damage the board and it will not damage the
paper if it is removed by pulling it off.

Keeping Drawings Clean

Cleanliness in drafting is very important and should become a habit. Cleanliness

does not just happen; it results only from conscious effort to observe correct
procedures.

First, the drafter’s hand should be a clean at all times, oily or perspiring hands
should be frequently washed with soap and water.
Second, all drafting equipment, such as drawing board, T-square, triangles, and
scale should be wiped frequently with a clean cloth. Water should be used
sparingly and dried off immediately. A soft eraser may also be used for cleaning
drawing equipment.
Third, the largest contributing factor to dirty drawings is not dirt, but graphite from
the pencil hence, the drafter should observe the following precautions:

 Never sharpen a lead over the drawing or any equipment.

 Always wipe the lead point with a clean cloth or cleansing tissue, after
sharpening or pointing, to remove small particles of loose graphite.
 Never place the sandpaper pad or file in contact with any other drawing
equipment unless it is completely enclosed in an envelope or similar cover.
 Never work with the sleeves or hands resting upon a penciled area. Keep
such parts of the drawing covered with clean paper (not cloth). In lettering a
drawing, always place a piece of paper under the hand.
 Avoid unnecessary sliding of the T-square or triangles across the drawing.
Pick up the triangles by their tips and tilt the T-square blade upward slightly
before moving. A very light sprinkling pf powdered artgum or drafting
powder on the drawing helps to keep the drawing clean by picking up the
loose graphite particles as you work. It should be brushed off and replaced
occasionally.
 Never rub across the drawing with the palm of the hand to remove eraser
particles: use a dust brush, or flick – don’t rub-the particles off with a clean
cloth.

If the forgoing rules are observed, a completed drawing will not need to be
cleaned, the practice of making a pencil drawing, scrubbing with a soft eraser, and
then retracing the lines is poor technique and a waste of time, and this habit should
not be acquired.

At the end of the period or the day’s work, the drawing should be covered with
paper or cloth to protect it from dust.

If the drawing must be removed from the board before it is complete, it can be
carried flat in a cardboard or plastic tube, preferably one with ends that can be
closed.

Care for drawing Instruments

 Lay the t-square flat on the board horizontally with the head fixed along the
left side of the board
 Slide the instrument slowly up or down after checking the head’s fitness on
its place to remove wrinkles of the paper
 Tee square should not be used as hammer, the head will be earlier than
expected.
 Avoid cutting paper to size with blade or knife using tee square as guide.
The edge might be cut incidentally, thereby its workability is damaged.
 Refrain from putting the instrument vertically or the reverse, over the
drawing board. It might fall down and break and is hazard while working.
 Wipe the sides of a triangle before and after using.
 Wash it occasionally with soap and water to remove the hardened ink.
 Enclosed it with a case and keep it in a safe place to avoid being damaged.
 Practice holding the compass by the head, turning it with the thumb and
forefinger in one hand.
 Avoid oiling the joints of the compass. A loose joint is a mal-adjusted one.
 Refrain from jabbing the joints to a hard object, you will destroy the tip of
the compass.
 Close the legs of the compass after using.
 Open and close the legs of the compass with one hand only preferably to the
right.
 Keep both needle and the pencil point of the compass sharp.
 Avoid marking the graduations of measure tools with pencil or ballpen in
setting off measurements. You may add unnecessary lines on the surface.
 Always wipe off the surface before beginning to draw.
 Enclose the drawing instruments with the case provided after using.