Mechanical Drawing Supplies

Three Essential Mechanical Drawing Supplies

Architects and Drafters need to have mechanical drawing supplies to create their blueprints. It is possible to buy pencils, pens or rulers to make the process of drawing easier while at work, school or home.


One: Mechanical Pencils 

Instead of using the type of pencils that are in elementary schools, architects want mechanical pencils that are made with plastic or metal cases. To move the lead in a mechanical pencil, an individual must twist the pencil’s casing. A manufacturer will use a unique design for its mechanical pencils, placing the twisting mechanism in a different location. Some mechanical pencils have erasers on the top, or the devices have a separate attachment to cover the pen’s tip. When the lead is too short or breaks, the user must insert new lead, according to the manufacturer’s directions. It is possible to buy lead in the traditional gray color, or an architect can choose other colors such as black, brown or blue. A new drafter may want to buy an assortment kit of mechanical pencils that has a carrying case to protect the items.

Two: Technical Pens

In addition to pencils, architects and drafters need ink pens that have fine points and a steady flow of ink. When an architect or drafter is creating a blueprint or schematic, they need pens that are reliable and precise. These types of pens are made to last, and instead of throwing away the case when the ink cartridge is empty, a drafter will replace it with a refill cartridge. Technical pens are available in several colors, including black, blue and red.

Three: Mechanical Scale Rulers

Drafters and architects must measure carefully while drawing a design at school or work, and the best tool for them is a mechanical scale ruler. Some individuals refer to this device as an engineer’s scale, and it looks like a traditional ruler but has three sides. An architect who is using a mechanical scale ruler can turn it to find a more precise measurement as they create a schematic or blueprint.

Drafting Table Supplies

Seven Types of Drafting Table Supplies 

Drafters and Engineers need to have an assortment of tools to create their drawings. It is important to consider the quality of drafting table supplies to have items that are durable. Architects and Drafters need specialized tools to ensure their work is legible and perfect. There are several items that artists and engineers must have while other tools are optional. Here is a list of things to consider buying for drafting and drawing.



One: Drafting Lamp 

Anyone working on a drawing or painting must have bright light, and a drafting lamp will clamp securely to a table. Most individuals want to use a drafting lamp that has a swinging arm so that they can beam the light directly at the paper or canvas.

Two: Measuring Tools

Architects and Drafters must use precise measurements, and this leads to needing several types of measuring tools such as rulers, protractors, and calipers.

Three: Cutting Mats

To protect a drafting table, artists need protective cutting mats that have measurements printed on the surface. Cutting mats are available in a variety of colors, and many students or professionals want to buy one that is self-healing.

Four: Scissors, Cutting Wheels and Knives

To cut vellum, cardboard or paper, Drafters and artists need hobby knives, sharp scissors and cutting wheels. These items are available in different sizes and price points.

Five: Drawing Instruments

To make drawing easier, artists and architects want drawing instruments such as pantographs that will clamp to the drafting table or a flexible drafting curve tool. It is a good idea to buy a kit that contains a compass and dividers before drawing blueprints.

Six: Specialty Tools

The additional tools required for a drafting table are a parallel bar to create straight edges while drawing along with a T-square to make vertical, horizontal and angled lines.

Seven: Drafting Templates

With drafting templates, an architect can create unique designs with stencils. There are several types of drafting templates that are made for creating figures, symbols, and shapes. Templates are available in a circle and rectangular.

Where to Buy Drafting Supplies

One of the most common questions a person new to drafting might ask, is where to buy drafting supplies? Sure, you can buy pencils and papers almost anywhere, buy good quality drafting supplies are different. A nice straightedge or mechanical pencil will produce better images and drawings than just a regular lead pencil. Better images are easier to read, and plans that are easier to read are less likely to need revisions. These all add up to more efficiency which is, of course, better for all involved.

You’ve seen the capabilities and the benefits of good quality drafting supplies, but where does one does one go to obtain such items. While the big box office supply retailer might be an upgrade from the discount retailer on every corner, the selection of quality drafting supplies there will be too small to offer much of a choice. A step up from a big box office supply retailer would be an art supply store. Along with brushes and paints for artists, art supply stores carry a selection of quality drafting pencils, drafting curve tools, and sometimes ever more specialized equipment, such as T-squares or drafting boards.

Another good solution could be to find local university or trade school that offers engineering, architecture or drafting classes. These schools have on-campus bookstores so the students can buy the right supplies for their classes. These supplies would are priced reasonable as well as offer good quality. Your best bet for quality drafting tools would be to check online for sites that offer drafting tools and other supplies.

While you might initially be confused about places to find good quality drafting supplies, there are several options. It just takes a little time to discover the places and find the place with the best selections. The supplies are available; it’s all about knowing where to look.

The Importance of a Sturdy and Versatile Blue Print Table

Architects, city planners and other people in professions that call for both creativity and attention to detail rely on their instruments and supplies to properly do their jobs. The quality of an architect or sign maker's materials is an important determinant for how well a job is going to go, and there are few instruments more important to creative professionals than a blue print table. These tables must be sturdy and well-constructed, able to bend to the whims of a job, and inexpensive enough to justify their purchase.

Excellent models of blueprint tables uniformly have cutting mats that can be easily adjusted and rejiggered, largely because artists and contractors must use them for very different things. Custom sized cutting mats are a new addition to the market that can improve your work while only costing a fraction more to buy and install. Artists and professionals can use the translucent, non-glare surface of a traditional cutting mat across a variety of fields: graphic designers can workshop their designs on the surface, and garment producers and carpet makers can easily cut and shape fabric on the table.

Blueprint tables are even useful for business professionals who are creating important presentations for their bosses and companies. The polystyrene underlay provides an excellent cutting and drawing surface, and the fine grid system will ensure that a line is never drawn out of place on a graph again. The purchase of a quality blue print table is an investment in improving the quality of your individual work. Being able to work accurately and safely at home is an essential skill for an artistic contractor to have, and acquiring a blueprint table makes this goal achievable.

Drafting tables are important items for young and older professionals alike who are looking to improve or maintain the quality of their work. Blueprints are difficult to draw freehand, and nearly impossible to duplicate without excellent tools. Impressive work can only be generated through the use of impressive tools, and every successful sign manufacturer, architect or cloth artisan knows that a decent drafting table is one of the keys to lasting success.

Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture is defined by dictionary.com as "the art of arranging or modifying the features of a landscape, an urban area, etc., for aesthetic or practical reasons." There are many aspects that go into some landscape architecture, such as environmental, social, and even sociopolitical issues.

Landscape architecture plays a role in environmental and social issues when people create architectural designs for structures that help tackle problems like clean air, nature and wildlife preservation, helping communities in need of homes and/or food and water, and much more.



One example of the beneficial impact landscape architecture can have on a community is shown below. According to the article from the website: The Dirt – Uniting the Built & Natural Environments - ASLA

"there are 165 acres of urban gardens and farms under cultivation in Detroit, Michigan. In a tour, Ken Weikal, ASLA, co-founder of the non-profit GrowTown and the firm Ken Weikal Landscape Architecture, explained that everyone from Capuchin Monks to non-profit cooperatives, university labs to self-sufficient farmers, corporations to small businesses are involved in using Detroit’s vacant lands to produce food. The goals of these efforts are to increase food production “for Detroiters and by Detroiters,” generate new sources of income, and build community. The grand, long-term vision: “food sovereignty” for this resurgent rust-belt city."

See the full article here: https://dirt.asla.org/category/landscape-architecture/ 

Landscape architecture is extremely valuable and helpful to many different communities, cultures, the environment, and our world.

What Tech Drawing Supplies You Need for School

Many young men and women choose to go to technical drawing school to get their educations. With a technical drawing degree, these individuals will be able to work in the architectural, design and                                                                                  drafting fields. They may even be able to become                                                                                    artists.

But to make it in technical drawing school, it's important to have all of the right tech drawing supplies. In that case, here is a list of the tech drawing supplies that an artist needs for school.

Artist Tape

Artist tape is essential so that the artist can tape down their work onto a drawing board. It is essential to have special artist tape so that the artist can know it is acid-free and won’t leave a residue or ruin the artist paper.

Drawing Pencils

Of course, it goes without saying that artists and drafters will need excellent drawing pencils for technical drawing school. There are all different types of pencils that can be used for drafting, art, and architecture. A pencil extender might be used as well if sharpened pencils end up as small stubs that are no longer comfortable to hold onto while drawing.

Erasers

When pencils are needed, erasers are required as well. Large erasers made out of rubber gum are good for erasing the tiniest of spots or the largest of areas. Also, very stubborn graphite or charcoal that may not be coming out quickly with a kneaded eraser can be taken out with an eraser stick. Having both is important.

Rulers

Rulers of all kinds unnecessary for artists, architects and draftsmen. T rulers can help to make perfect 90-degree angles and keep lines straight on the page. Rulers of various other sizes and stencil rulers to make accurate curves and circular shapes can also be helpful.

A Drawing Board or Desk

A drying board or desk is necessary so that artists and architects can learn their trade on a flat, smooth and even surface. Some drawing boards and desks have rulers and graphs on them so that it's also easier for the students to navigate their skills as they learn.