80 year old Draftsmen here.... Other tools of the trade: Erasing Dust Bag, especially if you worked in pencil. Rolling your pencil as you draw a line. Parallel Bar.. with the cables. Brought back lots of memories from the 60s and 70s. How about the HP-35 calculator.... No more Trig tables.... Our whole drafting room had to share it. About $400 at the time. Now a comparable calculator in a bubble pack at WalMart for $12.00 or less. And last but not least: Sepia, Autopositives, and Mylar.... Thank God for Autocad. Now Fusion 360. How far we have come.....!
Excellent video. I'm a 75-year-old retired mechanical draftsman. We could always tell who drew the plan. CAD is a love-hate program. My back never hurt until I was forced to sit all day and stare at a tube. Thanks😊
It is a total Blessing 2 have a gentleman like you bringing life to us , old timers, and bring our tools out , back to use or at least , re-do some drawings we remember from yesteryear ,that we look and don't even remember how we ever drew it ! 🤔 Thank you! 😊
I'm a physicist, but when I was 16 I went on a mechatronics apprenticeship, and I remember struggling with drafting and CAD drawings. Now I'm almost in my 30's and I must confess, your video ignited in my the desire to start mechanical drafting as a hobby/therapeutic activity. Thank you, Phill, I'm looking forward to watch the other videos of this series.
Phil You have to understand how invaluable your knowledge is. As soon as technology replaces a skilled trade, it dies from historical memory. Think of it this way: if YOU don’t commit your memories to the internet, assume that it is lost for all time. I’ve watched so many skilled arts and trades evaporate. There are things that were done when my grandad was very young which we simply CAN NOT do today because nobody knows how. I know people like to think technology can solve anything, but how will we KNOW for a fact how it was done? I’m sure we could build a pyramid today, but will that mean we would know how they were built thousands of years ago? Keep it alive man.
I think it’s awesome that as a machinist and draftsman your informing future engineers. I’m an environmental scientist but I truly appreciate machining and drawing. I can see why technical drawing can help bridge the gap between the machinist and the engineer.
Seriously…wow. I graduated last year and have been employed, modeling piping for the last 6 months. It has taken me months to figure out what HALF of these items are used for. My generation is so far removed from any of the manual methods, that we are truly losing touch with some necessary basics. Thank you for sharing this information 🙏
I took mechanical and architectural drafting all four years in high school starting in 1978. I draw blueprints now for personal use and have to admit I'm glad AutoCAD came along. The accuracy and lack of smudging is a godsend. This does bring back memories though, from how it started to where I'm at today has been a long and interesting road. Thanks for the video.
Another old guy here….worked as a “draftsman” out of high school for a bit. Learned the craft in high school. My handwriting is really printing and when my hands were steadier it remained a point of pride for me. I’ve been casting about for a nice drafting table recently to re-create some elevations of my childhood home. I wish there were somewhere one could get blueprints made. I still have most of my gear,triangles , inking set, pencils , eraser machine,etc.
A few days ago I went to my local salvage building supplies warehouse and they had in the ‘free’ area 6 drafting table tops. About 6 feet by 3 feet. I carefully selected the best three and carefully loaded them on top of my Prius V. They feel very true and are heavy. I’m not a draftsman but I have used AutoCAD for remodeling drawings. I’m excited to start learning mechanical drawing!
I had a ons semester class in mechanical drawing back in '81. I learned to sketch, how to write legibly, and understood geometry better as a result. I had an easier time going through Analytical Geometry, Trig, and the Calculus as a result of getting good exposure to technical drawing. I can hardly wait to go this again. Thank you for doing this.
I love the renaissance the physical arts are experiencing. Yes, computer and tablets can be exciting and "more efficient", but learning how to control a pencil sliding across the table is a subtle pleasure worth cultivating.
Took intro to mechanical drafting back in 1972. Halfway through the first course, the class started to do more projects & assignments in architectural & civil drafting (as the program was Civil/Architectural Technology). We also had to do 'Indian ink' drawings for presentation or rendering purposes. There was a real ''commaderie' among most of the students in the class and the drafting courses were the most interesting and fun! I had never worked in manual drafting, however, during summers did work as a deckhand on merchant ships. After a few years, had enough sea time to write coast guard exams for my 3rd/2nd Mate's Certificate. Manual drafting - especially being well-versed with angles and the necessity of having the 'micro/macro picture' in your head, along with attention to detail, certainly did help with chartwork and navigation courses for stages of the various mates' certificates and tasks related to real-time chartwork & navigation on the ship's bridge (wheelhouse). The last few years have done the odd yacht or ship profile in Indian ink, as a sort of hobby. The end result is, more often than not, very interesting and beautiful. A drawing as such, framed and hung over a fireplace or in a 'man cave' is stunning! Have been offered money for these, however, presently am not ready to accept such or go beyond the 'hobby stage', and most people do not have any idea the amount of hours put in, to produce the end result. Thanks for the interesting video - it brought back a lot of fond old memories... Greetings to all the old classmates of Dawson College '72!
What a blast from the past! Learning to use drafting tools to make mechanical drawings has been one of the most valuable skills I learned in Jr. High and High School in the '70s. While I moved to computers for a lot of drawing in the '90s, the ability to make clear drawings with as little as a pencil and straight edge has always been invaluable.
I just landed a role as a mechanical drafter at an amazing company in my town. These videos are truly the best possible thing I ever could have come across and I am extremely grateful for all of the work you put into this.
In high-school in England I took technical drawing for about three years, and I got a high school credit in it. I enjoyed it and particularly enjoyed the artistic aspect of it. I learned to print beautifully, and I got a great deal of satisfaction in seeing my finished drawings. It didn’t lead to my career, as I became an Accountant; however, I never regretted learning this skill, as I used this discipline in drawing and planning my diy woodworking and landscaping projects throughout my life. I never learned CAD, however I’m not so sure it’s as satisfying a discipline as technical/mechanical drawing is. I can’t imagine that learning to use a computer CAD program satisfies the artistic gene.
How do you like the account? I’ve been thinking about starting an accountant degree now that I’m a little older and find that the money aspect of business management the “more fun” part and like doing the things people tell me they’d get an account to handle it or whatever. wGU has bachelor program that’s a work at your own speed based curriculum and you can test out of courses so real world knowledge is transferable too. If you are able to test out of a class it’s giving you the credit for it without wasting the time on something you know. It allows you to move faster through your degree that way too and like I said I can do as little or as much as I can in a month or whatever their “semester” is and you pay by the semester not the credits/classes. You pay the same if you did half a class worth of work or if you flew through half the program in the same time frame you pay the same so people that can learn faster or already have some basic understanding can really cut down on the time it takes to get the degree
@@Dreadz530 I am a retired Chartered Professional Accountant and I enjoyed a good career through about fifty years, at which point I retired. Accountancy is an excellent background for getting into senior management in most industries, as well as getting into private practice. All businesses require skilled financial management. I can’t comment on the particular degree program you are referring to as I don’t know of it.
There are videos on RU-vid that show you how to install the cable on a parallel straight edge. You can also buy the cable kit on ebay. Thanks for the video Phil.
Love the series. I was an aircraft designer/draftsman for over 20 years - Canadair, LearJet and Cessna. Last generation to use drafting tools; first generation to use CAD. Nice Vemco compass at 28:00. Light weight, smooth adjustment and elegant design.
@@stocks4bt Like most things, it mainly comes down to practice. The more you do it, the better you get. The are lots of books that show you the basics, or Google it these days, but really you just keep trying until you get it.
This brings back memories. I took three years of mechanical drawing in 1968-1970, I remember fighting with the details of drawing a wood screw clamp. Then we went into floor plan drawing. At 71 I still like to play around with mechanical drawing. I have a few designs under my belt but they are property of the company I was working for back then.
I really enjoy this subject. For me, mechanical drafting by hand has always been an art to which I have aspired, but for which I’ve not had much need. Now that I’m retired, I’m trying to pick it up. I’ve found that drawing out my projects, by hand, serves as a thought exercise. It forces me to look at and think about every minute detail, and allows me to come up with shopping lists, alternate ideas, etc.
As an apprentice trained mechanical engineer, who spent a week in the drawing office, some 30 odd years ago, this has been a great trip down memory lane. Thank you
I’m still gainfully employed as CI Engineer. I’ve been a card carrying Tool and Die Maker 43 years. I’ve designed and built more tooling and machine tools than most. I still draw in full scale in my board. Vemco V Track..
I took my fist mechanical drafting class in 1978 as a 9th grader. I did that and architectural drafting all through HS. Never worked as a draftsman and did not do regular machine work until my 40's. But as a equipment operator and later as a mechanic those skills came in handy. Up until the 90's Caterpillar parts manuals were derived from the assembly drawings. Many people had problems looking at such a drawing, they preferred the expanded blow up. Having that drafting background it was a so easy for me to use that drawing and it gave me a context in which the parts fit in service making reassembly a breeze. Now I am a machinist and fabricator and I use drawings daily. I still make drawings by hand if need be, but usually simply work from a sketch. Any or a cad drawings I get come from other sources as I have not taken the time to learn Cad, and unlikely I will at this point, unless I need to or become board! never say never! Anyway Phil I love this stuff and I will be tuned in. thanks for taking the time to do this. Cheers
Stemming from architecture towards fine woodworking this is definetely my jam. Really glad to have found the series, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
This is so awesome, thank you. I found a pdf copy of the book. This is so amazing. I'm in college now and this provides a lot of insight for why and how CAD was developed and provides a good framework for techniques to use when circumstances require hand drafting or if someone just wanted to give it a try using the tried and true method.
Interesting but (possibly) useless trivia: tried and true comes from joinery (and likely other precision trades) tried meaning square (ie. A try square verified its square) and true being straight and flat
Can you share any additional info on the book? Perhaps a link to where you found the PDF? When I search for that title, I seem to find a number of them by different authors.
I took my first drafting class in seventh grade. I recently retired, and throughout most of my career I was essentially a draftsman. I was a competent drafter, especially in cad, and made my employers money, but I wish that I had had the artistic ability to produce the beautiful engineering drawings I encountered throughout my career.
My father was a patent draftsman. He did exact scale drawing that were done for attorneys for the patent office. Some of his drawings that were done for attorneys were G.I. Joe with kung fu grip, Re-chargeable ride on beetle for kids, M1 rile, a blood filter for open heart surgery, stutz blackhawk car, label for clairol herbal essence Shampoo, etc. He drew all by hand using ink pens (along with other types of pens) that had a little wheel on the side. This was used to adjust the line thickness. These were what i called "No Mistake" drawings. It was beyond belief what he could draw. These drawings were done on paper that was thicker than loose leaf, but very dense. It was like 20 sheets of paper compressed into one sheet. Everything in the book presented in this video he did by hand. He never went to school. A draftsman in NYC on Madison Ave taught him.
I'm 26 years old, learning how to become a machinist. I took a drafting course in high school where we learned how to draft by hand, and you're inspiring me to get back into it. Thank you for making this video, you have a very personable affect to your voice.
I was a very good draftsman & designer and had a career as such from 1976 to 1991. I worked for about 150 companies doing everything from electronic packaging designs to medical equipment, turbines, work for star wars, deep sea communications equipment and aircraft tool designs. I still have all of my tools too. I also worked with AutoCAD. I immensely enjoyed watching your video!
Blueprint class was one of the funniest and most memorable. Getting out the t-square and making our 3view prints for anything we were going to fabricate out in the shop when I was taking my Welding Tech program. Learning the different techniques down to the different number pencils (who woulda thought there’s more then just a number 2 pencil lmao). We had to draw up a complete set of prints for our project from a blank piece of white paper all the way to a complete set with the 3 different views including the all the lines for the tables and columns and everything needed before you could start to draw your work piece haha. I had never realized how much actual went into getting the sheet ready before drawing. Measuring the fonts , placement of lines, etc. we had to have a complete graded blueprint that passed before the student could go out to the shop and and start any of their projects.
Think you for this, you just took me back to my childhood. My dad had a die shop and did all designs with the tools you just covered in this video. I don't remember seeing him use his "rosewood" T square but it was on the wall and I was not aloud near it. I do remember the sliding straight edge, an arm machine and then a track drafting machine. I can remember how happy he was when he got his first calculator to replace his slide rule. He said it was the first one in the county, but I don't know that to be true.
I really enjoyed the drafting class I had back in intermediate school around 1970. I went out and bought some tools and materials as you suggested to get started drawing again. Thank you. I enjoyed the videos.
I just moved into mechanical room and found all this stuff, wow. I want to learn how to use this stuff. I work for aluminum extrusion plant. Thank you. Downey Ca ❤❤❤
This video just popped up in my feed, and watching it - WOW - does it bring back some memories. Oddly enough, I started drafting (lead on vellum) not long after you. Made the switch to CAD. Always felt that the art lost a little bit of soul when it went to computers... Ended up going a different route professionally (Boeing laid off about 10,000 drafters right before I got laid off at a company; became a mechanic after that), but I'm now putting together a home shop. Still have a bunch of my old drafting tools, had just picked up a Vemco drafting machine like yours a couple of months ago. Now, on the hunt for a table. Looks like I'm going to be watching this entire series beginning to end
This brings back a lot of memories. Back on the early 60’s I’d watch my dad design buildings on his drafting board. This was before the drafting machine. Now in my small dimension sheet metal business I occasionally get hand drawings from as far back as the 1940’s for legacy parts. Most of them are well drawn and completely dimensioned. In the last few years many 2 d drawings are minimally dimensioned and the notes refer one to the 3 d model.
Beautiful video Phil. Thanks so much. Brings back lots of fond memories from high school and college. I still have a few of the tools with me after all these year. They’re such a treasure. Cheers
It breaks my heart that none of this was even offered as an elective when I was in high school (almost 20 years ago) I worked in tandem with education and spend a lot of time in jr highs and highschools up until about 10 years ago and none of this was taught. I've yet to come across a young adult who knows was SketchUp, AutoCAD, fusion360 even are. Unless they are self taught via videos like this. It's a shame how far the educational system has fallen from teaching useful skills in the name of "college prep". Thank you for taking the time to pass on your knowledge to future generations
Man, this video brings back memories. I wanted to go into mechanical drafting in school and even took two years of 1/2 day vo-tech in high school for it. I was in the first class at my school that they introduced autocad and I loved it. As a result, I took a deeper interest in computers and that changed my direction. Been in IT for 25+ years now, but I have fond memories of being at the drafting table. I've dabbled into Fusion360 a bit from my woodworking hobby, but I'm super rusty and it's just not the same.
I did drafting in the past, and I always drew a 3D type drawing to give the object a picture effect. I was trained without CAD, old tools only. When CAD came we use MicroStation.
This took me back to high school and college where I learned drafting and then architecture. I never ended up and architect but I still letter the way I learned in drafting.
My dad was a tool and die maker until the work started going over seas in the 80’s. He still did small jobs during the 90’s but it wasn’t the same industry.
An underappreciated aspect of how we got to the moon & how most of the stuff in the world was made before 1990. Didn't know there was such a thing as a drafting machine.
This is so awesome that you are doing this! so many have suddenly left the labor force. Consequently, we are losing the "transference of experience" I took a teaching position last year, high school geometry, since I started, 5 math teachers have left so far! 'andy' had 18 years of experience and I was lucky enough to learn from her but, only for four months ...'dr. no.' is my unofficial mentor now, without him, I don't know if I would have lasted ...I'm almost through my first year.
I was recently employed in a slightly different industry to the one I've spent my career thus far in. Your comment "anyone can do anything if you give them way too much time" has been my life for the past month while I dive into the standards which I now need to be fully abreast of. I've felt very guilty for taking a lot of unproductive time from my employer. It's now time to accelerate my cycle time. I know it probably wasn't intended to be such, but thanks for the guilt reminder. 😅
I've found that learning draughtsmanship techniques has helped with making my drawings look much better in the office where I use AutoCAD and Revit. The seniors take notice of the techniques used in my drawings.
I'm an architect. I was taught: measure and mark with the scale, draw with the triangle, never use the scale to draw along. changes the scale over time... The triangle is nice and smooth, you can feel the marks along the scale
You pointed out something around 3 1/2 minutes, drawing the part helps when making the part, I know by doing a quick drawing I am understanding the piece much better, I cannot get that through the heads of others that I make things for, they want to describe it....which is useless to me as the builder, for many reasons, no dimensions ect.....they constantly put the cart before the horse.......like building a 3x5x6 foot frame for mobile bars and then telling me, oh, we need some holes drilled in this stainless steel, like over 100 holes....gee thanks for the heads up.....now it has to be drilled by hand. The reply I get is 'oh, I thought it would be more accurate to place the holes this way'......Take Care Sir, enjoying your presentation....Paul, an old grumpy fabricator/machinist/weldor/artist
Thank you for your wonderful lessons. Can you tell me the author of your text book ‘Fundamentals of Engineering Drawing’ ? It seems there are a few books out there of that title. Thank you again for your excellent lessons
This was the closet I've found. His is a second edition from what I can see. This book has a very similar cover, color, Fundamentals down the spine and the second chapter has the same title. "Fundamentals of Engineering Drawing hardcover textbook, by French & Vierck, 1960"
I've got a drawing board....it's a pleasure to use in the sense that it's physical expression involves you in the moment....CAD is just another tab on the screen.
You missed one point (pardon the pun) about sharpening those lead holders. They actually supply a sharpener at the top end of the holder. That silver piece has a hole in it. You pull the silver piece out and push your lead into it, and turn it. Hey presto, a sharpened lead. I've got 5 of these Staedlter lead holders/mechanical pencils.
We were big on proper line weight so the object stood out. Minimal cross hatching (at the borders). My boss said he would prefer to have a guy think rather than cross hatch. One problem with CAD is that the drafter can easily lose sense of scale.
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in italy you are still taught hand drafting as part of the mechanical engineering course. In fact it's taught in middle and often high school too, so many students do it for 8+ years. Sadly these days it's taught using a rather bare-bones toolset (none of what you showed here, besides compass, ruler and squares), the expectation is that you'll apply what you learn to CAD so there's no need to develope the same skills. I learned SolidWorks as a teenager, now after the hand drafting course I went back to SW to do some things and I found my workflow has changed dramatically for the better. I guess despite the frustration and inconvenience doing it by hand it's still a great learning tool.
Just got a NEW subscriber!! I took drafting in High School back in 1990 ( I know.. don't remind me) But, my instructor SUCKED.. VLSTD.. But, anyway, this "short" video really opened up my perception and, YEAH, getting a drafting machine!!
Waaaay back when I was taught basic drafting in shop class, the teacher said he wasn't trying to turn us into career draftsmen, but if we knew how to do a drawing, then we would know how to read drawings.
Horace Rumpole K&E was very high quality, also Dietzen and Post (Japanese). Boeing used a lot of Alteneder drafting scales, I have one with my name engraved in it from the factory in Pennsylvania. Alteneder was a small old family company.
I used to do mechanical drafting as a product designer in the 80s. I really do miss the art of mechanical drawing, but eventually we switched to Autocad for obvious reasons. Nowadays everything is done in 3D programs like Solidworks. Almost every manufacturer we used was in China and one cannot afford ANY room for interpretation so it had better be in 3D. I imagine most every vendor actually requires 3D data.
I just ran across your channel. Good stuff. I heard your references to to Erie pa I'm from Erie as well. This video is 3 years old now, but I hope this comment reaches you. Cheers
Some stylistic differences from your intro here Phil - I use mostly 4H lead for layout lines that will disappear - 6H if I really want them to vanish... I do most of my basic lines in HB (Half Black? - it's the same as the #2 lead in your ordinary writing pencil) lead, then go to a 2B or 4B for darker lines. I've found that drafting dots only require three hands most of the time, while drafting tape usually requires four... ;^) Blue painter's tape works in a pinch, and also doesn't tear the paper. And, when the white vinyl erasers first came out around 1980, I thought that they were the greatest invention ever - I prefer the Staedtler or Pentel over the Magic-Erase, but it works almost as well.
Sure hope this class goes over and you get some views. Still have everything but the table. Do to lack of room I will probably buy a drawing board. Thanks for the links.
@@TheToolandDieGuy Hi Phil, I watched the second video in this series on your website. I was wondering if future videos will be on RU-vid or on your website. Thanks for your time Andy
When I transitioned ( 🙄, Not like that ) from a carpenter to Draftsman... My first college classes, including intro to R14...I had to take one year of board drafting... My first recommendation (if you're going to "draw" plans)….. don't by cheap drafting pencils or pens. I am a true believer in OJT... every Architect, Structural Engineer or Mechanical Engineer should have to do a 3yr Apprenticeship in the field so they can learn what goes into building what is on the print. And you will learn Engineers have a serious self-inflated Ego. I have some of the most beautiful vintage "Mechanical & Architectural" Blueprints... the difference in the one you showed. The page was "Blue" … the lines and script are white
This video made me remember my drafting class back in 89. Even though I am up to using Revit, sometimes I still take out some pen and paper and whip something out real quick to show the newer employees. I still use hand drafting when creating patterns for leatherworking or costume making I really feel this is a lost art when looking at peoples drawings, they try to fit everything in so tight and overlapping items, it really looks bad
This Staedtler lead holder has a built in sharpener in the cap. Jus detach it and introduce the lead in the hold and rotate. U can also Buy a 2mm leas sharpener in any arts supply store
I can tell you how to put your mayline back together. For short lines the machine is better, if you have the scales to go with it. The Mayline is better for for architectural drawings where you have to draw lines all the way across a large sheet.
Two questions: 1. What is the standard length used for drafting machine scales? 2. Are drafting machine scales universal? I have a Bruning model 2700, what scales can I use?
