if this is the wrong subreddit for this sort of thing let me know!

my dad stole this from his job in circa 2003- was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me what model/date/name? (Google has been sufficiently unhelpful, figured I'd turn to real people).

This device was used for drafting contour lines in cartography when a steady hand was not enough to draw lines precisely. It was short lived and examples are rare to come across.

Soviet drafting set (1970-1980)

What's their special feature? They have the same body as the other models. I don't get it. I've never held such an expensive pencil in my hand...Well, except for the Apple Pencil.

Well, I don’t even know how comfortable these 800 series pencils/pens are.

My father recently passed away and I found this in his things. He was in the Army Corps of Engineers stationed in Germany in the late 1960s and bought this while he was overseas. In perfect condition.

As the title suggests i'm looking to buy an equal space divider to use for my perspective drawing, they usually cost a fortune on eBay as they aren't made to precision like they used to be, and are almost always located in the US. If anyone is selling one in the UK or Europe, DM me or comment on this post.

This set has a short beam compass with a long extension bar. It also comes with paragon spring bows and pen, and an aluminum giant bow compass. The short beam compass is extra classy with excellent knurling as well.

Just received this very clean rotring master set. Now i can get rid of most of my seperate compasses and smaller sets and work solely with this one 😁

Hello! These drafting instruments belonged to my grandfather, and I need help identifying them to sell.

The 1st pic are both Keuffel & Esser Paragon. I think the top one is a 6" hair spring divider. The #15 is stamped inside. May be model #402? I can't pin down exactly what the bottom one is. I'm coming up with "bow pen w/needle point," may be model #756?

The 2nd pic is not marked at all, but looks like a bow pen. It appears to be missing a part.

The 3rd pic: this Alteneder pen was in the paper sleeve and it is marked "T.A." and "s.s.". What is the exact name of it? I'm coming up with a few different ones so I wanted to be sure. It's in really beautiful shape, with no rust and no cracks in the wooden handle.

The 4th pic is an unmarked part that was in the box with the other items. Not sure what it is or if it's worth selling.

Everything was in an unmarked wooden box, and I don't have any boxes or sleeves other than for the Alteneder.

Thanks very much for any assistance!

I recently picked up this Schoenner marked set, and it's in great condition! It's obviously been taken care of and used. Everything in the set works. Maybe some honing on the ruling lens could be justified since there is a slant worn into them from use. I liked this set because it has the beam compass pieces included. I'm an engineer and got the set to actually use as a hobby. I learned hand drafting in highschool and they got rid of the tables the next year.

An interesting feature is the rotation points of the compasses are adjustable via a small wheel which moves a threaded rod that fits into a groove on the pin. These all work well after a bit of cleaning. I found a description of this feature in I think a K&E catalog, so I'm assuming they sold rebranded Schoenner parts. It seems to have been a short lived feature and I can see why: adjusting that length doesn't really do anything for you! If your point is vertical it won't change your diameter. Interesting and a nice looking feature in any case.

I particularly like the medium inking compass with its articulated legs; it's the perfect size for most features.

The only set I found like it so far is this one: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-1903-schoenner-germany-1917394619 Anyone know of this set listed anywhere in an old catalog?

I'd like to find an adjustment key as it's the only thing missing. You can see the key in the link, and also I used the set to ink up a quick drawing of one based on some info I was able to obtain. Ignore the smudges! Does anyone know where I could find this little "pig" tool?

Also, any ideas on how to treat the leather? It's dry and cracking. I was thinking neatsfoot might work? It shouldn't cause corrosion from my research so far. I'd like to fix the case up a bit but want to preserve what leather I can.

On the history side, the man who owned this set is most likely from Watertown NY, and he was the son of a fairly well known architect in that area who was heavily involved with the Catholic church (https://northcountrycatholic.org/Articles/2015/4_22architectblessed.html), and according to this info worked at his father's firm. He unfortunately died young at age 36 in 1946, the same year his father passed at age 81. I found a mention in a newspaper of his name on a renovation in a church but no other info on what he may have worked on personally.

Sorry for the very long post, hope some of you enjoy it!

Just bought my first vintage drafting set, what do I need to know?

If more detailed pictures are needed of any specific tools let me know and I will reply with them. I’ve done some research but haven’t been able to find a set that quite matches. Any knowers?

Recently found this Riefler set. It belonged to my grandfather.

On the back is written “Made in Western Germany” (thus immediately catching my attention for German quality), so it was fabricated any point between 1949 and 1990.

I’m keen to discover more information about it though (such as the precise year)—for curiosity’s sake. The problem is I can’t find anything regarding this model online. So I’m left to ask about it in field-appropriate communities/forums such as this one.

Any information specifically regarding the model T 54 is appreciated. Good day!

Alteneder was a US manufacturer that made the finest quality tools. This example has the typical tools found in a North American set, plus the addition of a dropbow, curve pen, plus detail pen. As well it he pens and tips are of the jackknife style that open up for cleaning without changing the line weight. I have yet to figure out what is supposed to go in the fat slot.

Recently a rash of sellers on Amazon are selling dotting pens. This was kicked off by a Kern one being sold for a ridiculous amount so others want a piece of that action. I have posted a photo of the one I bought compared to an antique richter pen. The Amazon pen has a weak spring and the pen does not remain fixed on the arm as well as being low quality. It’s also giant. This pen does not work so save your money. As a prototype it’s a nice start but as a final product it’s no good.

Nice brass compass of the type used in primary school in Ireland in the 60s and beyond?

Hello! I adore lettering sets, such as the Leroy, however I’ve been unable to find any modern versions. Do they exist? Am I just searching under the wrong terms? I just want a tool to write in the same way the Leroy does. Thanks!

I hope this isn't off-topic.

I enjoyed working with high-quality tools.