Question for draftsmen

Re: Question for draftsmen

John K Jordan

I've marked plastic curves, triangles, and templates with a non-permanent fine felt-tip pen. These can make a very fine line. I've also marked them with extra fine Sharpie and the lines rubbed off with my finger when I was done but I'd try a spot on a corner first - maybe my plastic was different from yours.

JKJ

Re: Question for draftsmen

John McGaw

Never really thought about repeatability in that way but...

Would it be possible to adapt some of the little stops that are used on framing squares? Or to make some from hardwood?

Oh and the last drafting (called mechanical drawing IIRC) course I had was in HS so 50+ years ago.

Re: Question for draftsmen

John in NM

To keep them from sliding around, try a layer or two of tape on the flat surface. This was more commonly done with several layers to keep ink from rapidograph pens from wicking under the curve or straight edge, but it also helps keep them from sliding.

Re: Question for draftsmen

John K Jordan

I forgot to mention another method - a piece of clear tape on the plastic then write on the tape.

thanks for the tape tip

Re: Question for draftsmen

Don Stephan

For repetitive use I cut slivers of blue masking tape, pointed at one end.

Spline curves and weights

Dick Coers

My first drafting assignment at Caterpillar was in 1973 in their research department in the gas turbine group. We did 10X scale scribed etchings for checking air foil sections on a comparator. We used a flexible curve with a groove in the top, and weights to hold it in place. We positioned the curve, then used a scribe to remove a layer of soft rubberized coating off the mylar. The one time when everyone was given all the time they needed. Very accurate work that not every draftsman was capable of doing. Doubt if that's any help, maybe just reminiscing.

Triangle tape

Tom Dunlap

The triangles I used in high school drafting, circa '71 are in my Layout Tools drawer. They still have tape on the bottom. We'd go across the hall to the Metal Shop and borrow an edge scribe to scratch in lines in 1/8" increments. The scratch lines made it easy to layout dimension lines

So that's how they were used

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I never got along with splines because I never could keep their shape from unexpectedly changing. Never knew about the holders you described.

Re: So that's how they were used

Mark Nowicki

If you are going to search other popular names are;

lofting ducks, drafting whales.

Re: So that's how they were used

Larry

Do a search of lofting ducks, drafting whales and you came see how to make your own.

Re: Question for draftsmen

Bob Lang

I just drew lines on the top of the curves with a soft pencil. The trouble with tape is you can't see through it. Felt tip marker or Sharpie would probably be better.

Bob Lang

Re: So that's how they were used

TomD

Those are the ducks I was referring to in one of my posts. Sorry to have been obscure. I use the same approach when working on large drawings, like lofting boats. Just get stuff like heavy clamps, old fashioned irons. But on the small scale, that stuff is relatively obsolete. That said, in the CAD world, boats immediately started to look like tubes of toothpaste, which was an achievement of sorts. Getting the older lines out of the new methods was very difficult at the outset, maybe still is. Funny thing was that the boats started to look as though they were designed in CAD, long before many guys actually had it.