Kinds of Drafting Tools

Drafters are engineers who create technical drawings. These drawings are used in the process of transferring an idea into its physical form. For example, a blueprint is a technical drawing. It will wind up as plans for a home, machinery parts, car, etc. Drafters create their drawings with a variety of precision tools, if drafting by hand. Some drafters use a software program called CAD (computer-aided design) rather than drafting by hand. This method of drafting has become increasingly popular within the past decade.

Table set-up

Included in a list of drafting tools are the large basic items required by all drafters. A drafting table with a large, angled flat surface, is where the drawing will take place. In addition the drafter requires a comfortable and adjustable chair or stool, as well as an adjustable lamp that can be angled to shine directly on the drafter's drawing as needed. A top-quality paper cutter is needed and should be placed on a smaller work table off to one side of the drafting board.

Supplies

Drafting paper, cutting mats, drafting films, sketch pads and foam boards are all tools the drafter will use on his or her way to achieving the final product.

Paper comes in varying sizes and may include graph paper in additional to multisized blank sheets. Cutting mats are for use with the paper cutter. The drafter will access this frequently depending on the size of the drawing being made.

Drafting film or vellum paper is frequently used to transfer one drawing onto another. Its sturdy composition in addition to its transparency makes this a far more viable option than tracing paper.

Foam boards make excellent presentation palettes, and allow for blueprints to be safely displayed with tape or push pins.

Tools

Compasses, protractors, various templates, triangles, t-squares, and a variety of pencils are all used on a daily basis as drafting tools. These are all manual tools and allow the drafter to precisely measure, cut and draw the accurate dimensions required in drafting.

Some drafters rely on math kits as part of their tool collection. Since so much of drafting involves math, the various protractors and angles that come in a math kit afford them the luxury of multiple options at hand.

CAD Tools

For the CAD (computer-aided design) drafter, the tools are similar, but many of the manual options aren't required. The drafter will still incorporate the use of pencils, measuring devices and display boards, but the actual drafting is done on the computer. CAD operators enter codes into the computer through use of a keyboard and keypad, then tweak their work as needed once it appears on the computer screen. CAD operators then print their work and touch it up as needed with their basic manual tools. A high-quality printer designed to handle large blueprints is also an essential piece of equipment.

Considerations

Although CAD drafting has become increasingly popular, there are still many manual drafters in business. The end results are the same. The only real difference is the time spent in achieving them and the tools that are required.