Drafting Tools and Equipment
As you know our Introduction of Engineering Drawing Post. We discussed Drafting Techniques and Methods In Engineering Drawing Here.
Drafting tools and equipment are instruments used in technical drawing and drafting processes to create precise and accurate drawings. These tools include:
T-Square:
A T-square is a straightedge ruler with a perpendicular crossbar at the top. It is primarily used for drawing straight lines horizontally on a drawing board or table. By resting the crossbar against the edge of the board, it ensures that the lines are aligned parallel to the board’s edge, resulting in precise and parallel lines in the drawings.
Set-Square:
Set-squares also known as triangle rulers or triangle scales, are triangular-shaped rulers typically made of transparent plastic or clear acrylic. They come in various sizes, but most commonly have angles of 30°, 45°, and 60°. These angles allow engineers and designers to draw lines at specific angles and aid in constructing accurate geometric shapes. By aligning the appropriate angle of the set-square with a straightedge or T-square, precise angled lines can be drawn.
Compass:
A compass is a drawing tool consisting of two arms, one with a pointed end and the other with a pencil or pen attachment. It is used for drawing circles, arcs, and curves of various sizes. The pointed end is placed at the center of the desired circle, while the pencil end creates the curve as the arms rotate around the center.
Protractor:
A protractor is a circular measuring tool with a center point and a marked circumference. It is used to measure and draw angles accurately. By aligning the center point with the vertex of an angle and reading the degrees along the marked circumference, engineers and designers can determine and replicate specific angles in their drawings.
Drawing Board:
A drawing board is a flat surface specially designed for creating drawings. It provides a stable and adjustable work area where engineers and designers can place their drawing sheets securely. Drawing boards often have features such as rulers, guides, and clamps to aid in precise and controlled drawing.
Scale Ruler:
A scale ruler, also known as an architect’s scale, is a specialized ruler used to make measurements and draw to scale. It typically has multiple calibrated scales printed on its surface, allowing engineers and designers to directly convert measurements from a scaled drawing to real-world dimensions or vice versa. Scale rulers come in various scales, such as 1:10, 1:50, or 1:100, depending on the desired level of detail and accuracy.
Pencil:
Pencils are commonly used in civil engineering drawings as they offer control, flexibility, and erasability. Different types of pencils with varying lead hardness and characteristics are used depending on the requirements of the drawing.
types of pencils commonly used in civil engineering drawing:
- HB Pencil: The HB pencil is a versatile pencil with medium hardness. It strikes a balance between darkness and erasability, making it suitable for general-purpose drawing, sketching, and note-taking. It is often used for initial rough sketches and outlining in civil engineering drawings.
- 2H Pencil: The 2H pencil has a harder lead compared to the HB pencil. It produces lighter and finer lines, making it ideal for precise drawing and drafting. The hardness of the lead allows for clean and sharp lines, which are necessary for technical drawings and detailed plans.
- B Pencil: The B pencil has softer lead than the HB pencil, resulting in darker and thicker lines. It is commonly used for shading, filling in large areas, and emphasizing certain elements in drawings. In civil engineering, the B pencil may be used for highlighting specific features or providing visual depth to the drawing.
- 4H Pencil: The 4H pencil has an even harder lead than the 2H pencil. It produces very light and precise lines, suitable for fine details and intricate drawings. The 4H pencil is often used for highly accurate technical drawings and architectural plans where precise measurements and details are crucial.
- Mechanical Pencil: Mechanical pencils use thin lead refills that can be extended or retracted through a mechanical mechanism. They come in various lead sizes (e.g., 0.5mm, 0.7mm) and offer consistent line thickness. Mechanical pencils are popular in civil engineering drawing as they provide precise control, eliminate the need for sharpening, and allow for easy erasing.

The choice of pencil type depends on the specific requirements of the civil engineering drawing. For initial sketches and rough work, an HB pencil or B pencil may be used. When it comes to technical drawings requiring precision and fine details, 2H or 4H pencils are preferred. Mechanical pencils are suitable for consistent line thickness and convenience.
It’s important for civil engineers to experiment with different pencils to determine the type that best suits their drawing style, requirements, and personal preference. Additionally, keeping a range of pencils handy allows for flexibility in adapting to different drawing tasks and techniques.
Eraser:
An eraser is a tool used for removing pencil or ink marks from the drawing. It allows engineers and designers to make corrections and clean up their drawings. Erasers come in different forms, such as kneaded erasers or vinyl erasers, each with its own characteristics for erasing different types of marks.
Drafting Paper:
Drafting paper is a specialized type of paper designed for technical drawing. It typically has a smooth surface and is available in various sizes. Drafting paper often includes grids, lines, or specific textures, such as isometric or dot grid patterns, to aid in accurate drawing, measurement, and alignment.
Templates:
Templates are pre-designed shapes made of plastic or metal that can be used repeatedly in drawing. They come in various shapes, such as circles, squares, triangles, or common architectural symbols. Templates ensure consistent and precise representation of shapes and symbols in drawings, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
French Curve:
A French curve is a flexible curved template used for drawing smooth, irregular curves. It is often made of transparent plastic and features a variety of curved edges. By aligning different sections of the curve with desired points, engineers and designers can create smooth and flowing curves in their drawings.
Parallel Ruler:
A parallel ruler, also known as a parallel straightedge, is a ruler with two arms that can move independently. It is used for drawing parallel lines or maintaining consistent spacing between lines. Engineers and designers can adjust the position of the arms to create parallel lines at different distances or maintain equal spacing between lines.
Drafting Machine:
A drafting machine is a mechanical device attached to a drawing board. It combines rulers, protractors, and other measuring tools to facilitate precise and repetitive drawing tasks. Drafting machines allow for accurate measurements, angle adjustments, and smooth movement across the drawing surface, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of drafting.
Drawing Tube:
A drawing tube is a cylindrical container used for storing and transporting rolled-up drawings. It protects the drawings from being damaged or creased during transportation or storage. Drawing tubes are typically made of durable materials like plastic or cardboard and often have adjustable or telescopic ends to accommodate various drawing sizes.
Deferent types of lines used in engineering drawing
Here are some commonly used types of lines in drawings which is mentioned below:
Object Line:
Object lines are thick, continuous lines that represent the visible outlines and edges of an object or component. They show the shape, size, and boundaries of the object being depicted.
Hidden Line:
Hidden lines are dashed lines that represent the edges or features of an object that are not visible in the current view. They are used to show internal or hidden details that would otherwise be obscured.
Centerline:
Centerlines are long-dashed lines with alternate long and short dashes, typically consisting of a long dash followed by two short dashes. They indicate the center or axis of symmetry of a cylindrical or symmetrical object.
Construction Line:
Construction lines, also known as constructional lines or constructional lines, are thin, lightly drawn lines used as guides during the drafting process. They are temporary lines that help in laying out the drawing and establishing relationships between different components or features.
Section Line:
Section lines consist of a series of parallel lines or patterns, such as cross-hatching or stippling. They are used in sectional views to indicate the cut surfaces of an object, representing the material that has been removed.
Extension Line:
Extension lines are thin, unbroken lines that extend from the object or feature being dimensioned. They terminate with arrowheads and are used to indicate the boundaries or limits to which a dimension applies.
Dimension Line:
Dimension lines are thin, unbroken lines with arrowheads that show the extent or size of an object or feature. They are used to provide precise measurements and indicate the distance between two points or the size of a feature.
Leader Line:
Leader lines are thin, unbroken lines with an arrow or dot at one end and a note or text at the other end. They are used to connect annotations or notes to specific features or dimensions on a drawing.
Break Line:
Break lines consist of a series of zigzag or wavy lines that indicate a long continuous feature has been intentionally shortened or removed for clarity. They are used when the entire length of an object or feature does not need to be shown.
Border Line:
Border lines are heavy, continuous lines that outline the edges of a drawing sheet. They define the boundaries of the drawing and separate it from the rest of the sheet.
These are some of the fundamental types of lines used in engineering drawing. Each line serves a specific purpose in communicating information, dimensions, and features of objects accurately. Understanding and using these lines appropriately ensures a clear and standardized representation of engineering designs and helps facilitate effective communication among engineers, designers, and fabricators.
Dimensioning in engineering drawing
Dimensioning in engineering drawing refers to the process of adding measurements, sizes, and numerical values to a technical drawing. It is a crucial aspect of engineering drawings as it provides precise information about the size, shape, and location of objects, features, and components.
Dimensioning involves the use of various symbols, lines, and notations to indicate the measurements and establish relationships between different elements within the drawing. The dimensions are typically specified using units of length, such as millimeters, inches, or feet.
Types of dimensioning commonly used in engineering drawings, based on their specific uses:
- Linear Dimensioning: Linear dimensioning is the most basic and commonly used type of dimensioning. It involves specifying the length, height, or width of a feature or object. Linear dimensions are represented by horizontal or vertical dimension lines with arrowheads, and the numerical value is placed adjacent to the dimension line.
- Angular Dimensioning: Angular dimensioning is used to specify the angle between two lines or surfaces. It involves using an angular dimension line with an arc and degree symbol, and the numerical value is placed within the arc.
- Radial Dimensioning: Radial dimensioning is used to specify the radius or diameter of a circular feature, such as a hole or curve. It involves using a radial dimension line with an arrowhead pointing to the center of the circle, and the numerical value is placed adjacent to the dimension line.
- Diameter Dimensioning: Diameter dimensioning is specifically used to specify the diameter of circular features. It involves using a diameter symbol (Ø) and placing the numerical value next to the symbol.
- Chamfer Dimensioning: Chamfer dimensioning is used to specify the size and shape of chamfered edges, which are beveled or angled cuts at the corners of objects. It involves using chamfer dimension lines with numerical values placed adjacent to the dimension lines.
- Depth Dimensioning: Depth dimensioning is used to specify the depth or thickness of features such as holes, slots, or pockets. It involves using depth dimension lines with arrowheads and placing the numerical value next to the dimension line.
- Coordinate Dimensioning: Coordinate dimensioning is used to specify the location of features or objects relative to a reference point or coordinate system. It involves using coordinate dimension lines, which are dimension lines with coordinate values placed at the ends of the lines.
- Tolerance Dimensioning: Tolerance dimensioning is used to indicate the allowable variation in dimensions. It involves adding tolerance values, such as a plus or minus symbol (+/-), to the numerical dimension values. Tolerance values specify the acceptable range of deviation from the nominal dimension.
These dimensioning types are used in engineering drawings to provide precise information about sizes, angles, locations, and tolerances. By properly dimensioning a drawing, engineers, manufacturers, and fabricators can accurately interpret and reproduce the design, ensuring consistency, compatibility, and functionality in the final product.
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