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Robert Hayward

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Drafting board
Jan 1^st, 2021 at 5:14pm

How long has it been since you have used one of these? Or even seen one? I wanted a full size drawing to use as a template for a steady rest I am making. Rarely use any CAD programs and did not have the patience to go through the learning curve. Then trying to stitch together 8 1/2 x 11 paper to get my template.

Dug this out of the back of a closet. Too many years ago, before PC's, I used this board to draw plans for residential room additions to pull permits. I also found a roll of kraft paper for wrapping boxes and etc. I have my template!

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Robert Fischer

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Re: Drafting board
Reply #1 - Jan 1^st, 2021 at 5:27pm

Robert Hayward wrote on Jan 1^st, 2021 at 5:14pm:

How long has it been since you have used one of these?

37 years ago. I've also used a drafting machine, which I liked a lot.
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I saw a drafting machine in a junk shop a few years ago and was sorely tempted to purchase it, but really didn't have room for it.

I still have my drafting tools and templates, and use them once in a while for small layout work.

I learned AutoCAD, but didn't stay in the engineering field long enough after that to become proficient at it.

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« Last Edit: Jan 1^st, 2021 at 5:29pm by Robert Fischer »

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David Moeller Senior Member Offline Old chiseler Posts: 314 Linden Michigan USA Gender: LAGUNA REVO 15X24 CONOVER 15 x Infinity Long gone: Shopsmith, Myford ML8, Homebuilt bowl lathe, NOVA benchtop, Delta 46-715 and a Unimat.	Re: Drafting board Reply #2 - Jan 1^st, 2021 at 7:42pm Spent half my working life with a drafting machine and Rapido-graph pens making manuals for that newfangled CADCAM stuff, before PC's.
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Robert Hayward WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 774 Tampa area Florida USA Gender: 3520b	Re: Drafting board Reply #3 - Jan 1^st, 2021 at 9:54pm Robert Fischer wrote on Jan 1^st, 2021 at 5:27pm: I've also used a drafting machine, which I liked a lot. I remember an architects office that had one of those. Never used one but looks like it would have been very handy. I had to poke around this afternoon to find the few drafting tools I still have.
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,939 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Drafting board Reply #4 - Jan 1^st, 2021 at 9:58pm Robert Hayward wrote on Jan 1^st, 2021 at 5:14pm: How long has it been since you have used one of these? Or even seen one? If I spin 180 degrees in my chair, I'm sitting at one.
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Don Stephan WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 2,659 Cincinnati, Ohio Ohio USA Gender:	Re: Drafting board Reply #5 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 10:06am Move to The Other Side forum?
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Ed Weber WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Posts: 8,939 Wilton California USA Gender: JET 1642 Grizzly G0584	Re: Drafting board Reply #6 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 10:59am *This Topic was moved here from Tool Talk* by Ed Weber.**
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Louie Powell

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Re: Drafting board
Reply #7 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 12:18pm

Ah yes - I remember those. My folks couldn't pay for me to go to college the normal way, so I opted for the cooperative program. Turned out to be the smartest move I've ever made because sitting at one of those drafting tables and doing real design work taught me more about what it was like to be an engineer than I learned in engineering school. And it paid most of the tuition and expenses required to get my degree.

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Louie

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robo_hippy WR Addict Offline Posts: 3,638 Eugene, OR USA	Re: Drafting board Reply #8 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 12:59pm I had to go find one once, years ago, when I was making templates for dies to punch out leather pieces for these multi panel Hacky Sacks I was making... Pentagons, hexagons, of all sizes and shapes. Just the sets of triangles was not close enough. I still use it from time to time.... robo hippy
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Ed Weber

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Re: Drafting board
Reply #9 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 1:20pm

The one I have is an inexpensive model approx 21" x 31" writing area.
Nothing more really than a tilt top table with adjustable height. I did some modifications and made a T-square to fit. I use it for designing and drawing out my designs. It always nice when you're not confined by a sheet of 8.5" x 11" and much more comfortable to work at.
If you have the room, they're a nice addition.

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Ralph Fahringer

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Re: Drafting board
Reply #10 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 1:30pm

My drafting table in the design office long ago was 40x60 adjustable angle and with a full width sliding straight edge.

Putting a museum into an Air Craft Carrier (Intrepid) you sort of need the extra width table!!

I feel like Tim the tool man Taylor here!!

No one in our office ever used one of those swinging arm things. They always got in the way.

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Originality is the art of concealing your source.

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John Grace WR Addict Offline Everyone needs a good wingman... Posts: 1,278 Bel Air Maryland USA	Re: Drafting board Reply #11 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 6:09pm Is this the machine, or something similar, that Thomas Jefferson invented???
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Robert Hayward

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Re: Drafting board
Reply #12 - Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 10:08pm

Ed Weber wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2021 at 1:20pm:

The one I have is an inexpensive model approx 21" x 31" writing area.
Nothing more really than a tilt top table with adjustable

I thought there was not anyone left in the world that still used paper and pencil to do design work.

My drafting board is about the size of yours and has two fold out thick wire legs to elevate the top of the board. Mine has the sliding T square that I always liked. Has a thin cable and pulley system on the back side for the T square.

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Ralph Fahringer WR Addict Offline I'm the "Burly" Man!! Posts: 1,629 Ellsworth Maine USA Gender: PM3520b	Re: Drafting board Reply #13 - Jan 3^rd, 2021 at 11:42am I remember back when cad was starting out and discovered that I could draw out floor plan quicker than the guy could program the computer to print his out. Seems the hamsters kept getting tired.
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Ed Weber

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Re: Drafting board
Reply #14 - Jan 3^rd, 2021 at 1:12pm

Drawing "basic" designs to get some proportions, shapes and profiles is usually quicker than opening just about any software program. IMO
Once you satisfied, then you can use a program to generate whatever you want/need.
I usually design in my head, draw out a basic design, calculate dimensions and go.
If I'm making a batch or stock item, (something I'll return to at a later date) I will take more time and make a scaled drawing.

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