High-quality writing implements are an integral part of the drafting process. Mechanical pencils designed for architectural and drafting use are preferred because they produce a more exact mark than an ordinary pencil. Drawing pens are used to finish a draft made with pencil. Load your pens with light fast ink to ensure a durable finished product.
A drawing compass allows you to create circles of a precise radius. Many types of compass are available. You might need a bow compass or a drop compass to make very small circles or an elongation apparatus to make large circles, but a basic compass is appropriate to technical drawings of an average size.
Using a T-square ensures a right angle when you are drawing a straight line. It is composed of a long blade attached to a shorter piece at a 90-degree angle. Both segments are typically ruled. To use a t-Square, place the shorter piece along the edge of your drawing surface and draw a line using the long-ruled blade.
Templates allow you to easily reproduce the complicated symbols and designs that are commonly used in architecture and engineers. Complex signs are broken down into smaller parts, and the entire apparatus allows you to precisely coordinate each part with each other to make an accurate representation.
You can use a scale to create a drawing with a precise proportion to its actual dimensions. You can adjust a single scale to accommodate a wide range of proportional relationships. A scale is an important tool for making maps and other drawings that necessitate a fixed relationship with tangible objects.
French curves allow you to accurately draw ellipses and hyperbolas. These curves express mathematical equations and are an integral part of engineering. Tracing a French curve allows you to easily translate these complex equations to a technical drawing without the need for involved calculations. French curves typically come in a set, accommodating a wide range of sizes.