LESSON 1: TECHNICAL DRAFTING TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Technical Drafting is the act and discipline of composing drawings that visually communicate
how something functions or is constructed. The primary purpose of Technical Drafting is to
provide you the basic and primary knowledge and skills that will lead you in basic technical
drafting skills, drawing conventions and necessary tools used in technical drafting.

DRAFTING TOOLS: ITS USES/FUNCTIONS

Drafting tools - these are handheld instruments that aids in accomplishing a task. It is used to
perform precise or accurate dimensions.

Pictures/Illustrations Description
Drawing Pencil

This is one of the most important tools

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencil#/media/
File:Pencils_hb.jpg
in drawing. It comes in various grades.
The grade of pencil to be used depends
on the quality of paper to be used. You
have to take into consideration also the
type of line work required.
Erasing shield

This tool is made up of metal with

irregular holes. It is a useful tool to
protect the rest of the drawing when
clearing up smudges, unnecessary pencil
https://www.amazon.com/Hotop-Erasing-Stainless-
Template-Drafting/dp/B078YNJQ1J
lines and other erasures.
Ruler
It is also called as “rule” or “line gauge”.
It is a measuring stick consisting of a
strip of wood, metal or plastic with a
https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/
measurements/ruler
straight edge that is used for drawing
straight lines and measuring lengths.

Triangle

It is a three-sided ruler, which typically

has two equal sides meeting at a 90
degree angle and to a third side at 45, 30
including 60 degrees angles.

https://www.amazon.com/Westcott-Triangular-Scale-
KT-90-pkg/dp/B0028DAHG4?ref_=fsclp_pldp_3

https://www.artstuff.net/Alvin-6-Inch-Plastic-Triangular-
Scales_p_643.html
https://www.engineersupply.com/Alumicolor-82936-36-
Wood-Acrylic-T-Square.aspx
https://www.mindfulkits.com/mindful-products/helix-
classic-metal-drawing-drafting-compass-with-pencil
https://shopee.ph/Drafting-Drawing-Divider-Metal-
Spring-Professional-Geometry-Set-
i.130918314.6914840589
https://www.tasstudent.com/2018/01/01/
drawingequipment/
Triangular scale
This is a tool generally used when
reproducing a drawing in an enlarged or
reduced form to some regular
proportion.
T-Square
It is composed of a long strip called
blade and a short piece called head.
Used in drawing horizontal lines and
also serves as guide in drawing vertical
or diagonal lines for triangles.
Compass
It can be used for drawing circles or
arcs. It is usually made of metal and
consists of two parts (pencil and sharp
point) connected by a hinge.
Divider
It is used when transferring
measurement, dividing lines and arcs
into the desired number of equal parts. It
has two sharp points, one for the center
and the other for scribing or marking.
Protractor
It is used to measure angles. A typical
protractor is a semi-circular piece of
plastic with 180 degrees printed around
its curve.
 Pencil Sharpener

It is used for sharpening pencils

whenever they show signs of dullness.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xiton-Sharpeners-High-
Grade-Sharpening-Rectangular/dp/B07X5Y445D

DRAFTING EQUIPMENT: ITS USES/FUNCTIONS

Drafting Equipment – these are used by draftsman for drawing and designing
purposes.
Drawing table

It is a table that has a surface that be

raised up or down or turned to different
angles and that is used for drawing.

It is also where the drawing paper is

being attached on its flat surface to do
https://www.draftingsuppliesdew.com/alvin-van48- drafting works.
vanguard-drawing-table
Drawing stool

A seat that has an adjustable height to

give the draftsman with comfortable
movement while using the drawing
table.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liftable-Painting-Special-
Rotating-Drawing/dp/B07GS8M15B
Desktop computer or laptop

Computers are very essential equipment

to create, modify, analyse or optimize
drawings through computer-aided design
(CAD)

https://www.computerden.co.uk/computer-retail/desktop-
laptop-retail/
DRAFTING MATERIALS: ITS USES/FUNCTIONS

Drafting materials - are items that are said to be consumables.

Drawing paper

Hard and soft surface drawing papers are

highly recommended to be the best. This
type does not groove easily when
pressure is applied to the pencil.

Oslo paper is commonly used but bond

https://stationeryworld.com.sg/drawing-paper-a4- paper is also recommended.
135gsm-pack-of-250

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.
https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/masking-tapes-
3804739597.html
Eraser

Used for erasing or rubbing out

unwanted pencil lines on your drawings.
They are often used with the aid of an
erasing shield.
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/
small-eraser-sm0388390
Activity # 1. Do you Know Me?

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of your answer on the space
provided before each item.

Column A Column B
_______ 1. It is used in rubbing out unwanted pencil a. divider
lines on your drawings
_______ 2. This equipment is a semi-circular piece of b. drawing
plastic with 180 degrees printed around its pencil
curve.
_______ 3. It is a three-sided ruler, which typically has
two equal sides meeting at a 90 degree angle c. ruler
and to a third side at 45, 30 including 60
degrees angles.
_______ 4. This is used for fastening the drawing paper d. eraser
on the drawing table or drawing board
_______ 5. This is one of the most important tools in e. triangle
drawing. It comes in various grades that you
will use to draw.
_______ 6. It is a measuring stick consisting of a strip f. masking
of wood, metal or plastic with a straight edge tape
that is used for drawing straight lines and
measuring lengths. g. compass
_______ 7. It is composed of a long strip called blade
and a short piece called head. h. protractor
_______ 8. It is usually made of metal and consists of
two parts (pencil and sharp point) connected i. Drawing
by a hinge. paper
_______ 9. It is used when transferring measurement,
dividing lines and arcs into the desired number j. T-square
of equal parts.
_______ 10. A paper that is specifically prepared for k. drawing
drafting. board
 REFERENCES:

https://www.tasstudent.com/2018/01/01/drawingequipment/
https://www.engineersupply.com/drafting-supplies-and-tool.aspx
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/drafting-supplies-around-tablet_2437076.htm
https://www.slideshare.net/sexyanne/mechanical-drafting-materials-with-assessment-equiz-for-
grade-7?next_slideshow=1
https://www.britannica.com/technology/hand-tool/Compass-divider-and-caliper
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_drawing
https://www.slideshare.net/jmpalero/tle-9-technical-drafting-drafting-tools