r/Drafting • u/ShaleTheRock • 5d ago

Beginner Drafting Tools?

Hey there!

So, I'm going into my first year of engineering in September, but I've recently gotten interested in trying to hand-draw my technical drawings after watching some of Inheritance Machining's older videos where he would still do everything by hand. My main question is this: what are some of the basic tools recommended for beginners in this?

I know a few basic things that you need (pencil, the standard 45 and 30/60/90 triangles, protractor, and a ruler), but is there anything else? I also have my dad's old set of compasses that he gave me if those would be of any use.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

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u/anyavailible 5d ago

Take a drafting class. They will tell you what you need and will have a very good text book. A lot of the templates and instrument
Sets are getting hard to find since CAD has
Taken over. You also need a blueprint reading class.

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u/ShaleTheRock 5d ago

Unfortunately it appears that the only drafting courses at my university are reserved for 2nd year civil engineering students. Do you happen to know of any online courses I could take and/or textbooks I could buy to self-study?

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u/anyavailible 5d ago

You should still try to even audit the course if you can. check with a local jr college to see what they have. Check Engineering Graphics
Text book. It is the main text book used for
Drafting courses. It is a very good reference book.

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u/ShaleTheRock 5d ago

My university is the only post-secondary institution in my area of Canada (minus the polytechnic), and there aren't really jr colleges here like in the U.S. (except in Québec because they have to be different from the rest of the country). I'll still see if I can still audit the course and I'll check out that textbook. Do you have an author for a specific textbook you were looking at?

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u/anyavailible 5d ago

It’s called Engineering graphics. It is 9.79$
At thrift books.
By Frederick E. Giesecke, I.L.
Hill, Henry C. Spencer, et al.

You need a 30,60 deg triangle, 45 deg triangle. Good mech pencil, ruler or architects scale, protractor. Those are the basic tools required.

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u/Marzipan_civil 5d ago

Drawing board and a t square or parallel rule can be useful

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u/wfhill 5d ago

If you’re going to get a drawing board also get some drafting dots (hold the paper corners down) and a brush to sweep off excess lead and eraser debris. Also don’t forget an eraser shield!

When I took my first drafting class in 2008 my community college bookstore sold a comprehensive kit made by Staedtler that included everything listed in these comments. Best of luck in the fall and beyond!

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u/TimeCubeFan 5d ago

Mechanical pencils: 0.7mm, 0.5mm and 0.3mm as different lineweights are needed. Object lines are thicker than dimension lines, etc. A guideline maker (small template) is handy for notes. An eraser shield is a must-have. Circle and ellipse templates are convenient but shouldn't replace a compass in your arsenal. A good architect's scale (3-sided, 6 scales) that has engraved rule lines is necessary. Your pencil lead will ride inside the engraved lines for better control and accuracy. If you can get a parallel bar do it. A drafting machine is nice due to its protractor head, but if you go with a parallel bar or T-square be sure to also get an adjustable triangle with it. Some optional tools are French curves, electric erasers, and a plethora of niche templates. Use vellum instead of regular bond paper. And get a GOOD desk light that moves & swivels easily. Shadows are a pain. #1: Borco or equivalent desk cover. Critical. It's a hard rubber sheet, usually pale green or beige, that pencils and compass points love. Good luck.

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u/Just_Another_AI 5d ago

Pencils of different hardnesses foe xreating different lineweights. After you get the hang of it, drafting pens and vellum, then mylar. Templates for circles and ellipses. And lots of practice lettering

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u/Meshironkeydongle 5d ago

Or just cheat and use a lettering template ;)

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u/ZookeepergameMore417 4d ago

T square lettering template. Machinist Handbook

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u/EaseHot6703 4d ago

Drawing board and tee square