Different Drafting Tools & Equipment

In order for an architect or designer of any kind to successfully complete a drawing of a building or other type of structure, it is essential that he have various types of drafting tools and equipment at his fingertips. Tools like the T-square allow the drafter to draw a straight line with ease while using a flat drafting table to design his next architectural project.

Drafting Compass

Designed for drafters and architects to inscribe arcs and circles while drawing up schematic designs for future projects, a drafting compass can also be used to help the drafter measure distances. This instrument features two metal rods joined at the top and includes two points at the end that allow the user to draw thin lines using various colors of ink. The drafting compass also allows the user to create perfectly round circles.

Drafting Tape

When a drafter wants to equip her drafting paper with a smoother surface in order to avoid any hang-ups while moving drafting instruments around, she will use drafting tape. The drafter will cut off a section of this sticky tape and affix the tape onto the drafting paper to frame the overall design section of the project and will also use this tape to secure the paper onto the drafting table.

Drafting Table

Usually consisting of a lightly tilted, large tabletop surface and outfitted with sturdy legs to prevent the table from moving while being used, the drafting table is an essential drafting tool. While sitting at this table, a drafter will secure a large section of drafting paper onto the table's surface with tape. The drafter will then begin drawing up a project design's schematic using drafting pens and other instruments.

Parallel Glider

Designed to combine the functions of a T-square drafting tool with the functions of a straight-edge ruler, the parallel glider is a tool often used in drafting. Averaging a total length of seven or more inches, the parallel glider resembles a transparent ruler but contains three separate edges so that the drafter can measure out precise drawing lines as well as draw out triangular shapes with precision. The top edge of this drafting tool allows the user to draw longer straight lines of more than one inch while the two shorter edges are used for measuring short drawing lines.

T-square

Used by a draftsman to draw long drawing lines while creating a schematic drawing, the T-square drafting tool is usually made out of a clear plastic and is extremely thin as well. Varying in length from 12 inches all the way up to 72 inches, the T-square is equipped with a long horizontal strip at its top called the blade, giving this drafting tool its name. The drafter will place the blade section of the T-square at the horizontal edge of the drafting paper in order to draw a straight parallel line.