B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE
DESIG PROCESS

MODULE 2
DRAWING INSTRUMENTS

This module provides a discussion on the different types of drawing instruments needed for
constructing drawing works.

Objectives

 To familiarize engineering students with the types of drawing instruments.

2.1 Introduction

Since instrument drawings is the standard method of expression, most drawings are made “to
scale”, with instruments used to draw straight lines, circles and curves concisely and accurately.
Different types of instruments are needed for the construction of engineering drawings. Since
drawing is composed of different types of lines, different types of instruments are needed.

Standard work depends on the instrument’s standard. Therefore, if we want to have high quality
drawing, instruments of high quality shall be used. Instruments should be maintained in good
condition and should be cleaned before and after use.

2.2 Drawing Instruments and Their Uses

1. Drawing Board

1 of 6
 B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

Drawing board (also drawing table, drafting table) is a

kind of multipurpose desk which can be used  for any
kind of drawing, writing or impromptu sketching on a
large sheet of paper or for reading a large
format book or other oversized document or
for drafting precise technical illustrations such Figure 3.1 Drawing
Board(https://civilseek.com/civil-
as engineering drawings or architectural drawings.
engineering-drawing-instruments/)
(Wikipedia)

In engineering drawing, this is the most important

instrument used. It is made of fine wood. But modern
drafting tables typically rely on a steel frame. Steel
provides as much strength as the old oak drafting
Figure 3.2 Drawing
table frames and much easier portability. Board(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drawing
_board)
This is now a drawing table

1. T-Square

T-Square is used to draw straight lines. It is composed

of two parts: the blade which is the long part where
measurement marks are found, and the head which is
the short part. These two parts are fixed with each
other at 90° angle. For the purpose of drawing
horizontal lines, the head of the T-Square is held
Figure 3.3 T-Square
(https://civilseek.com/civil-engineering-
drawing-instruments/)2 of 6
 B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

firmly on the left corner of the drawing board and can

move up and down.

2. Set-Square

Set squares are generally made of celluloid. They are

used in conjunction with T-Squares to draw accurate
angles. There are two main types of set-squares: the
one with angles of 45° and 90° and the other with
angles of 30°, 60° and 90°. With the help of the set-
squares, all the angle of a multiple of 15° can be
constructed as well as perpendicular and parallel Figure 3.4 Set-Squares
lines. (https://civilseek.com/civil-engineering-
drawing-instruments/)

3. Compass

A compass, also known as a pair of compasses, is

a technical drawing instrument that can be used for
inscribing circles or arcs. As dividers, they can also be
used as tools to measure distances, in particular
on maps. Compasses are usually made of metal or
plastic and consist of two parts connected by a hinge
which can be adjusted to allow the changing of the
radius of the circle drawn. Typically, one part has a
spike at its end, and the other part a pencil, or Figure 3.5 Thumbscrew and Bow Compass
sometimes a pen. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass_(dra
wing_tool))
4. Divider

This engineering drawing instrument is like a

Figure 3.6
compass, but the pencil is not used in it. Divider
Both of its legs have needles at the ends. This is used (https://www.qu
for taking straight and curved measurements. It is also ora.com/What-
used to transfer any measurements to some other is-useful-about-
a-divider)
place.

5. French Curves

3 of 6
 B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

A French curve is a template usually made

from metal, wood or plastic composed of many
different curves. The shapes are segments of the Euler
spiral or clothoid curve. This is used to draw such
curves which have no uniform radius and that a
compass cannot be used. They are of different shapes.
The place where the irregular arc is required, there
three points are selected and are joined by French Figure 3.5 French Curve
curve. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_curve)

6. Protractor

A protractor is a measuring instrument, typically

made of transparent plastic or glass, for
measuring angles. Most protractors measure angles
in degrees (°). Radian-scale protractors measure
angles in radians. Most protractors are divided into
180 equal parts. Some precision protractors further Figure 3.6 Half Circle Protractor
divide degrees into arcminutes. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protractor)

Figure 3.9 Set-square with Integrated

Figure 3.7 360 Figure 3.8 400 Protractor
degrees Protractor gon Protractor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protractor)
Marked in Degrees Marked in
(https://en.wikipedia.o Radians
rg/wiki/Protractor) (https://en.wikipe
dia.org/wiki/Protr
actor)

7. Pencils

4 of 6
 B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

Various types of pencils are available. They contain

lead mostly. Some of the pencils are hard while some
are soft.
These grades of pencils are written on them.
The softest pencil is 10B while the hardest one is
10H.
Pencils from H to 4H are generally used in
engineering drawing for drawing different lines.

Grades of Pencil.

Following are the different grades of the pencil:

Hard Grade.
Figure 3.10 Lead Grade
This category includes grade H pencils. These are
(https://www.jetpens.com/blog/the-best-lead-
available from H to 9H in the market. Generally, such grade-for-every-application/pt/475)
pencils are used in drawing work.

Medium Grade.
Such pencils are used generally in ordinary drawing
work. HB grade pencils are included in this category.
Soft Grade.
Such pencils are used generally in Artwork and
Shading purposes. B grade pencils include in this
category.

8. Sharpener

A pencil sharpener is used to sharpen a pencil.

Ordinary types of sharpeners sharpen a small portion
of the pencil. Sharpener of good quality should be
used which can sharpen to at least 10 millimeter lead. 
Figure 3.11 Sharpener
9. Scotch Tape (https://shop.coolmaterial.com/products/classi
c-crank-style-pencil-sharpener)
Transparent Tape is used for sticking the drawing
sheet on the drawing board, which is known as Scotch
Tape. This tape is applied at the corners of the sheet.

10. Eraser

5 of 6
 B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

An eraser is used to remove extra lines. The eraser

should not be very hard otherwise there is a danger of
tearing of the sheet.

References

Frence and Vierck, The Fundamentals of Engineering Drawing and Graphic Technology,
Fourth Edition

https://civilseek.com/civil-engineering-drawing-instruments/

http://www.technologystudent.com/despro_flsh/ssquar1.html

Disclaimer and Fair Use Statement

This module may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically
authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this module is distributed without
profit for educational purposes. This should constitute a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted
material. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this module for purposes of your own
that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain expressed permission from the copyright owner.

6 of 6