Although much of today's drafting projects are completed using software, any technical drafter should have a good understanding of the different manual tools used to complete a drafting project. Many people continue to use the manual drafting process even after mastering drafting basics. The art of technical drawing is a precise one, and the tools used to complete a project are designed to create the most accurate scale model possible in the smallest space. The following outlines the best tools you can provide yourself as a prospective drafter.
Architect's Scale
The architect's scale is a three-sided ruler constructed either of plastic or aluminum. A high-quality architect's scale will offer you a larger number of fractional scales. Different fractional scales will allow you to create a larger assortment of technical drawings. Like any ruler, the architect's scale offers flat sides for straight drawing ease. Purchase an architectural scale that has been constructed of hard plastic, as the corners on aluminum models can bend if the scale gets dropped. Because of the flow of manual use, many drafters find it easier to construct drawings using an architectural scale and pencil rather than CAD, or computer-aided design, software.
Bow Compass
Bow compasses aid the drafter in creating curved lines and circles within their designs. The bow compass can be vital, as it is the only tool that can accurately draw curved lines to scale. The bow compass will have a point that stays in the middle of the circle, and another end to hold a pencil or other lead source. You can create a perfect circle with a bow compass by holding the compass' point in one position and rotating the pencil end around that fixed center. A ruler placed through both sides of the bow compass allows you to control your circle's size.
Divider
Dividers look much like bow compasses, but instead of a pencil holder or lead source, the divider has two metal points and is used to transfer measurements to a technical drawing. When applied with pressure to drafting paper, dividers can leave marks that are clearly visible upon closer inspection. A high-quality divider can be locked into place to ensure the consistency of your measurement.
Protractor
Protractors are semicircle-shaped pieces of clear plastic that help a drafter create whatever angle they need for a design. Find the center point of your protractor. It will be located on the long bottom line, usually surrounded by a tiny circle. Place that center point on your design exactly where you want your line to start. Because drafting designs are drawn to scale, the angle of the corner in real life is the same angle you will use on your protractor. Find the degree value you need on the outside of your protractor, and then make a small mark on your drawing at that location. You can then draw the line at the proper angle by lining up the flat edge of your architectural scale with both the line's beginning and your angle marking. Be careful to make sure the line you draw is still to scale.
Triangle
A triangle will help you draw a parallel or perpendicular line through another line in your drafting project. To draw a perpendicular line, simply line up the short end of your clear plastic triangle on the line you will be drawing through with the point where the lines intersect somewhere in the middle of your triangle. Place your architectural scale against the hypotenuse of your triangle, and slowly move the triangle down along the scale until the point of intersection reaches the long side of the plastic triangle. Drag your pencil along the triangle's long side to create a perfectly perpendicular intersection.
To draw a line parallel to another in your drafting project, line the long edge of the triangle up with the line you want a parallel line for, and then line your scale against the short edge of your triangle. The scale should be lined up with the line so that the line rests at the 'zero' position, or the spot where you would begin any measurement. Move your triangle down the scale, without changing its angle, and stop when the long edge of the triangle has reached the proper distance between the lines. Drag your pencil along the long edge of your triangle to complete a perfectly parallel line.
Architect's Scale
The architect's scale is a three-sided ruler constructed either of plastic or aluminum. A high-quality architect's scale will offer you a larger number of fractional scales. Different fractional scales will allow you to create a larger assortment of technical drawings. Like any ruler, the architect's scale offers flat sides for straight drawing ease. Purchase an architectural scale that has been constructed of hard plastic, as the corners on aluminum models can bend if the scale gets dropped. Because of the flow of manual use, many drafters find it easier to construct drawings using an architectural scale and pencil rather than CAD, or computer-aided design, software.
Bow Compass
Bow compasses aid the drafter in creating curved lines and circles within their designs. The bow compass can be vital, as it is the only tool that can accurately draw curved lines to scale. The bow compass will have a point that stays in the middle of the circle, and another end to hold a pencil or other lead source. You can create a perfect circle with a bow compass by holding the compass' point in one position and rotating the pencil end around that fixed center. A ruler placed through both sides of the bow compass allows you to control your circle's size.
Divider
Dividers look much like bow compasses, but instead of a pencil holder or lead source, the divider has two metal points and is used to transfer measurements to a technical drawing. When applied with pressure to drafting paper, dividers can leave marks that are clearly visible upon closer inspection. A high-quality divider can be locked into place to ensure the consistency of your measurement.
Protractor
Protractors are semicircle-shaped pieces of clear plastic that help a drafter create whatever angle they need for a design. Find the center point of your protractor. It will be located on the long bottom line, usually surrounded by a tiny circle. Place that center point on your design exactly where you want your line to start. Because drafting designs are drawn to scale, the angle of the corner in real life is the same angle you will use on your protractor. Find the degree value you need on the outside of your protractor, and then make a small mark on your drawing at that location. You can then draw the line at the proper angle by lining up the flat edge of your architectural scale with both the line's beginning and your angle marking. Be careful to make sure the line you draw is still to scale.
Triangle
A triangle will help you draw a parallel or perpendicular line through another line in your drafting project. To draw a perpendicular line, simply line up the short end of your clear plastic triangle on the line you will be drawing through with the point where the lines intersect somewhere in the middle of your triangle. Place your architectural scale against the hypotenuse of your triangle, and slowly move the triangle down along the scale until the point of intersection reaches the long side of the plastic triangle. Drag your pencil along the triangle's long side to create a perfectly perpendicular intersection.
To draw a line parallel to another in your drafting project, line the long edge of the triangle up with the line you want a parallel line for, and then line your scale against the short edge of your triangle. The scale should be lined up with the line so that the line rests at the 'zero' position, or the spot where you would begin any measurement. Move your triangle down the scale, without changing its angle, and stop when the long edge of the triangle has reached the proper distance between the lines. Drag your pencil along the long edge of your triangle to complete a perfectly parallel line.
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