Looking for a Drafting Set

[Scotty Dog]

Im looking at getting some drafting tools.
Basic stuff I guess you could call it.
Ive been searching and its a mad, mad web...Millions of choices.
So, Im turning it over to yous here on TRF.
Ild like to get a set with compass,divder,pencil,maybe a French curve, angles and rule.
Like I said,a good basic set.
Doesnt have to be top notch,but I dont want toy stuff either.
"Alvin" seems to be a popular name out there.
Today I stopped at 4..yes four, different stores trying to find a good compass.
I stopped at Napa,the Hardware store,Oaks Brothers Supply (its a contractor supply place,wood,cabinets,tools ect) and Kenny Drugs. Nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody got a good place to hook me up with to get good starter set.
Thanks

Edit>>> I did pick this up at Napa....

[Marc_G]

Don't laugh, but at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's in their art area, you can usually find several levels ranging from a $5 set to more expensive ones. I'm not able to judge quality of these, but the nicer ones looked pretty good.

[Scotty Dog]

Don't laugh, but at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's in their art area, you can usually find several levels ranging from a $5 set to more expensive ones. I'm not able to judge quality of these, but the nicer ones looked pretty good.

Thanks, I may just make a trip down to the city this weekend. There is other stuff Ive been looking for and I am not going to find it up here in the hills.
I can hit both Hobby Lobby and Micheals while there.
Maybe get lucky and get one of those air brush deals at Micheals and pick up some motors at HL or a 40% off Estes pro rocket or their new motor(s)

[sooner.boomer]

Im looking at getting some drafting tools.
Basic stuff I guess you could call it.
Ild like to get a set with compass,divder,pencil,maybe a French curve, angles and rule.
Like I said,a good basic set.

Check out a local pawn shop or two. My first "pro" set was a W. German set made by Dietzgen. It had a couple of lead holders (pencils), a pen, compass, dividers, etc. for less than $20. I've got another set that lives in a big plastic "pencil box" from Hobby Lobby that has inexpensive tools; a Matrix (brand) compass, hole gauge, oval gauge, french curves, etc.

[Rex R]

I've found some decent curves and triangles etc. at office depot.
rex

[stantonjtroy]

I've found some decent curves and triangles etc. at office depot.
rex

Second this. Most any hand drafting tool can be gotten there or at Staples.

[Scotty Dog]

I've found some decent curves and triangles etc. at office depot.
rex

HMMMM, Good point,maybe Staples has that stuff...
Again,Im in the boonies and dont even think of stores like Office Depot and Staples carrying that stuff.
We have a Walmart and a Rite Aid drug store here in my town...
guess thats all we need...cheap crappy products and drugs.

[rocketguy101]

If you are out in the boonies like I am, you might try mail order. I got some nice Alvin triangles from http://www.artstuff.net/Drafting-Supplies.html -- looks like they have drafting sets too. Staedtler and Dietzgen are good names,

[sooner.boomer]

Here's my "little" kit that lives under the bed. Close at hand when I get inspiration. Not shown is the plastic "SpaceSaver" pencil box I keep the stuff in, and my small green 30-60-90 and 45 degree triangles seem to be missing. You'll also need some kind of drafting board and a T square. You could use something as simple as a small sheet of 3/8" plywood or particle board sanded smooth and square on 2 sides for "lap drafting", or as big and expensive as you want to go.



Get at least one good compass that can hold bevel-edge cutter blades. These are great for accurately making centering rings and bulkheads.

[Graduator]

I think that I have seen some drafting supplies at Michael's Crafts, and I'm sure that Staples stocks some items. While poking around on the web I came across this place. http://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog.html The prices seem very good, and they have everything you could need. I started out as a mechanical draftsman, and I strongly recommend getting set up with a good table, chair and light. Your back and eyes will thank you. You may just want to look for a simple CAD software package. There aren't many people actually drawing on paper in this day and age.

[rocketguy101]

You may just want to look for a simple CAD software package. There aren't many people actually drawing on paper in this day and age.

yeah, but sometimes putting things on paper helps me think better than just staring at electrons on the screen...I pull out my drafting stuff at work (try finding leads for your compass nowdays ) and get stares from the young guys -- it's a hairy-earred engineer thing

[Graduator]

(try finding leads for your compass nowdays )

They're right here
http://www.draftingsteals.com/catalo...pass-lead.html

[GregGleason]

Hey Scotty, I want to back up and ask, "What are your goals?"

Greg

[Scotty Dog]

Hey Scotty, I want to back up and ask, "What are your goals?"

Greg

Mostly just sketches,ideas and such.
I like to doodle if ya will. I also want to draw up some ideas for maybe a house I may build.
I did drafting way back and I do free hand drawing/art whatever.
Some things I would use it for is to see how shapes will over lay each other for getting a profile of a rocket.
Dont know if this answers your question.

I guess the short of it "I like putting pencil to paper"

[sooner.boomer]

I guess the short of it "I like putting pencil to paper"

I call this "thinking with my hands", and I certainly understand.

[JPVegh]

I'm sure you already know this but there are some real bargains on eBay for some nice vintage tools.

[GregGleason]

Mostly just sketches,ideas and such.
I like to doodle if ya will. I also want to draw up some ideas for maybe a house I may build.
I did drafting way back and I do free hand drawing/art whatever.
Some things I would use it for is to see how shapes will over lay each other for getting a profile of a rocket.
Dont know if this answers your question.

I guess the short of it "I like putting pencil to paper"

Sounds good, and therapeutic.

Greg

[Scotty Dog]

I'm sure you already know this but there are some real bargains on eBay for some nice vintage tools.

I did stop by Ebay and ,YES ,there is a bunch of nice old tools for cheapo coin. thanks for the suggestion all the same dudeski

[Micromeister]

Im looking at getting some drafting tools.
Basic stuff I guess you could call it.
Ive been searching and its a mad, mad web...Millions of choices.
So, Im turning it over to yous here on TRF.
Ild like to get a set with compass,divder,pencil,maybe a French curve, angles and rule.
Like I said,a good basic set.
Doesnt have to be top notch,but I dont want toy stuff either.
"Alvin" seems to be a popular name out there.
Today I stopped at 4..yes four, different stores trying to find a good compass.
I stopped at Napa,the Hardware store,Oaks Brothers Supply (its a contractor supply place,wood,cabinets,tools ect) and Kenny Drugs. Nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody got a good place to hook me up with to get good starter set.
Thanks

Edit>>> I did pick this up at Napa....

I try to stick with Staedtler these days. VEMCO out of CA. was another decent "us made" compass manufacturer but haven't seen them around for awhile. You might want to try looking on-line www.dickblick.com or other Art supply stores for Compass/dividers, proportional dividers,8" & 10" Triangles, Scale rules & curve sets. I'll second www.draftingsteals.com as well for all things drafting if you don't mind waiting a little for shipping to arrive.

I did pick up a very inexpensive small (School size) drafting set at Target of all places for 3 bucks. very small triangle set but very nice stuff.

[qquake2k]

I took a mechanical drafting class back in the stone age. I still have the tools somewhere, including an electric eraser. I haven't touched them in years, I'm too lazy now. Besides, every table and flat surface in my house is covered with rockets and rocket stuff. But I totally understand your desire to put pencil (and pen) to paper. I used to really enjoy mechanical drawing.

[JPVegh]

I took a mechanical drafting class back in the stone age. I still have the tools somewhere, including an electric eraser. I haven't touched them in years, I'm too lazy now. Besides, every table and flat surface in my house is covered with rockets and rocket stuff. But I totally understand your desire to put pencil (and pen) to paper. I used to really enjoy mechanical drawing.

I also took mechanical drawing classes back in the good old days. These days it's all about CADD for me which I use regularly. My latest CADD file is a chicken coop that I'm about to build. I can't build any structure without first doing a CADD drawing and getting it straight in my head. It really comes in handy for figuring up parts lists.

[Micromeister]

I also took mechanical drawing classes back in the good old days. These days it's all about CADD for me which I use regularly. My latest CADD file is a chicken coop that I'm about to build. I can't build any structure without first doing a CADD drawing and getting it straight in my head. It really comes in handy for figuring up parts lists.

Ditto Jeff:
I find it most helpful putting "the plan" down on paper or in a CADD drawing of some sort....but I still can't talk without a pencil in my hand I understand scotty dog's feeling. Rough sketches on paper, napkin, magazine cover, cardboard box lid or what have you are where tons of ideas start to flicker. I know that's were the RangeBox Relay, and Self-Contained Solar Powered launcher started to come into being.
Than one can take the idea to the next leve on a little cleaner paper or into a graphics program.

When I started in the Sign business I'm pretty sure it was BC "Before Computers" Everything Designed had to be Drawn, Layed out, enlarged and transfrered with good Old Drafting Tools by hand. Either 3 view layouts or isometric 1 or 2 vanishing points 3-d's it was all done with Papers,T-squares, triangles, pencil, pen & ink. I don't believe the parallel straight-edge came into being until my 4th year in the trade. Wow! how far we've come in 40 years. Anyone Remember the VARIGRAPH, template tracing sketch lettering machine? Our Computer Graphics folks have it SOoooo dare easy these days LOL! Still There are many things computer graphic programs just can't get or render quite right, its alway nice to be able to pick up a pencil to put a little finer a point on it.

[sooner.boomer]

Ditto Jeff:
Anyone Remember the VARAGRAPH, template tracing sketch lettering machine?

Never heard of that, but I've got a Keuffel & Esser Leroy lettering set. I've got a "fixed" and an "adjustible" stylus tool (called "bugs"), several pens of various sizes, and several templates. I used similar tools when learning ink drawing in drafting class in the mid-70's, but I think my set dates back to the 60's. Who's used an Ames Lettering Guide?

[Scotty Dog]

I remember when "Blue Prints" were just that, "BLUE".
The drawing/lines were what was white.
And some were Black Prints.
With the computer age, I think you would be hard pressed to find someone that can draw up prints or a mechanicial drawing by hand.
I guess you could say "Its a dying art"
I worked for "Clean Harbors" and they had a guy that hand painted the lettering and pinstripeing on their trucks.
The guy was like 110 years old and it was amazing the work he did.
Somethings ,to me anyways, just cannt be replaced by a machine.
Or at least they are not appreciated as much.

[rocketguy101]

Who's used an Ames Lettering Guide?

I still have mine!!! and my trusty eraser shield!

[rocketguy101]

I worked for "Clean Harbors" and they had a guy that hand painted the lettering and pinstripeing on their trucks.
The guy was like 110 years old and it was amazing the work he did.
Somethings ,to me anyways, just cannt be replaced by a machine.
Or at least they are not appreciated as much.

That is my favorite part of "American Chopper" watching "Nubby" do his thing. I am sick of the other drama, wish they stuck to "the build"

[sooner.boomer]

I still have mine!!! and my trusty eraser shield!

Oh, yeah! Have to have one of those if you use an electric eraser!

[Micromeister]

Never heard of that, but I've got a Keuffel & Esser Leroy lettering set. I've got a "fixed" and an "adjustible" stylus tool (called "bugs"), several pens of various sizes, and several templates. I used similar tools when learning ink drawing in drafting class in the mid-70's, but I think my set dates back to the 60's. Who's used an Ames Lettering Guide?

Yeap Sooner;
The Old Leroy system was the Standard before the mid-60's introduction of the Varigraph. Leroy's were a good but more cumbersome to use then the Varigraph which used the same various size Pen points and india Ink but have height and width adjustment capablility that made Graphic drawing and sign copy layout & skectches much faster. They employed an engraved alum template with the basic font stye on it, this could be quickly manipulated in all directions without completely changing the style. I have one at home I haven't touched in 25years I'll have to get it out and take a couple pics just for fun.

Scotty Dog:
I AM an Old Hand lettering Sign Artist...though I do more design & PM work now in CorelDraw I still do an occasional Truck, Sign, Window or Shocard Hand lettered just like back in the Dark ages..(BC- Before Computers).

Actually We're (I work for a Major Electric Sign Manufacturer) getting more and more requrests for Hand lettered signage these days as many business & individuals seem to be tired of the somewhat sterile Computer graphics most often used in signage today.
Shoot! Silk Screening is trying to make a semi-come back and the Large format Printer folks are fighting to say ahead of this trend for smaller size, large run printing.

What's Old is New again....Drafting is still done on paper in lots of places. many times Helped by CAD and Graphic Computer programs...sometimes not
I have on my desk this minute a protractor, eraser shield, 8" & 10" triangles & 4 different size scale rules.. in the draws are everything else you'd expect including an electric eraser LOL!!!! HO yeah don't forget the Slide rule and Periodic Chart hanging on the wall. Good grief I guess I am a geek.

Edit: Still Can't spell either...Varigraph is correct. Took a couple pics last night I'll try to upload them sometime this weekend. OH man the old pen points were clogged solid with Dried up "cleaner solution". Production pen inks also. Was kinda fun the slip a template in the old machine again tho.

[ClayD]

THe OU guy may know of a place called Triangle AE that is a supplier of architechtural supplies.. i used to go there as a kid....
MAN, this stuff used to be an artform/skill/proffesional discipline...

i remember they had a rack of litteraly hundreds of "colored" pens for rendering...

No wonder everything commercialy made is CRAP... any monkey can punch a key board.

[Scotty Dog]

I headed south after work today.
Stopped my LHS and picked up some motors,Q2s and then went to Staples and got a few things.
Not the worlds best ,but they will do the job just fine.
Sure is alot better than NOTATING, which is what I had.
Heck,up till now ,Ive been using a toy compass and school pencils sharpened with an exacto knive and plastic cups,saucers,and whatever else was round for curves.
Im living the life now baby!!!!!!!