Drafting instruments are the foundation of accurate technical drawing. From triangles and compasses to beam compasses, dividers, irregular curves, proportional dividers, and pantographs, these tools help create precise layouts for architecture, engineering, surveying, and design work.
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Scholastic Clear Triangles - Straight Edge
Pacific Arc$1.95 - $5.40Pacific Arc Clear Scholastic Drafting Triangles are durable, transparent triangles designed for accurate technical drawing, layout work, geometry, and drafting. The fully clear polystyrene... -
Academic Transparent Triangles
Alvin Drafting$2.00 - $5.40These Academic Drafting Triangles have a double-taper cutout center for easy lifting, enhancing efficiency. Made from durable, extra-heavy acrylic, they resist discoloration and warping. Ideal for... -
Smoke Triangles - Inking Edge
Alvin Drafting$2.30 - $7.70The Alvin inking edge triangles are made of molded 0.10" thick polystyrene and feature a transparent non-glare smoke tint for easy visibility.Features: 30º/60º and 45º/90º trianglesAvailable in... -
Fluorescent Triangles - Straight-Edge
Pacific Arc$3.40 - $30.00The Pacific Arc Professional Fluorescent triangle is extremely popular because the refracted light has an illuminating effect on the drawing by accentuating the triangles edge.Features: 30º/60º and... -
Truflex II Flexible Curves
Alvin Drafting$9.60 - $23.90This lightweight aluminum Flexible Curve Rule is easy to shape and holds any curve firmly for accurate drawings and is made from premium materials that won't warp over time for long-lasting... -
Clear Acrylic Professional Triangles - Straight Edge
Pacific Arc$2.90 - $44.40The Pacific Arc Clear Professional triangles will not discolor or warp with age and handling. Features: 30º/60º and 45º/90º professional clear trianglesAcrylic that will not feather with... -
Fluorescent Triangles - Straight Edge
Alvin Drafting$6.10 - $25.80The Alvin Professional Fluorescent triangle is extremely popular because the refracted light has an illuminating effect on the drawing by accentuating the triangles edge.Features: 30º/60º and... -
Paral-Liner Parallel Straightedges
Alvin Drafting$171.00 - $231.00The Alvin Paral-Liner Parallel Straightedge is a professional top-mounted drafting bar designed for precise ruling, technical drawing, drafting, and layout work. Built for both drafting tables and... -
Scholastic Triangle Set
Pacific Arc$3.00 - $5.90One of the best value triangles on the market! Designed specifically for students, crafters, and professionals on a budget.Available in: 8", 10", 12"Features: Set of two triangles. 1 each 30/60 &... -
Professional Parallel Bars
Pacific Arc$164.55 - $230.55The Pacific Arc Straightedge Parallel Bars are perfect for drafting, engineering and construction applications.Features: Available in 4 lengths: 30", 36", 42" or 48"Professional quality, top-mounted... -
6.5" Spring-Bow Compass
Pacific Arc$9.80Traditional Spring Bow compass features a true steel hoop for longevity and reliability that represents the very best value on the market.Features:6.5" Bow CompassCenter wheel for fine adjustments... -
Comfort Compass & Beam Set
Staedtler$35.40The Staedtler 551 02 Comfort Compass Set is a precision compass set designed for accurate circle drawing in drafting, geometry, design, and technical drawing work. This set includes the precision... -
6" Quick Action Compass with Extension Bar
Pacific Arc$16.60The Pacific Arc QSB-810CEX 6" Press Button Quick Action Compass is designed for fast, accurate circle drawing in drafting, engineering, architecture, and geometry applications. The quick-action... -
Topaz Triangles - Inking Edge
Pacific Arc$3.40 - $46.80The Pacific Arc inking edge triangles are made of molded 0.08" thick acrylic and feature a transparent non-glare smoke tint for easy visibility.Features: 30º/60º and 45º/90º trianglesAvailable in... -
Computing Adjustable Triangle - Inking Edge
Alvin Drafting$20.40 - $33.75The Alvin Drafting Computing Adjustable Triangles are ideal for calculating length and distance in classrooms and professional applications, this tool features an optically clear acrylic body for... -
Professional Adjustable Triangle - Inking Edge
Pacific Arc$18.60 - $31.80Professional-quality adjustable triangle with inking edges.Features: 8", 10" or 12" adjustable triangleInking edge is compatible with any writing utensilMarked with rise in tangent, seconds, and... -
Professional French Curves
Pacific Arc$2.60 - $9.20Made from pure clear acrylic to ensure their long life and their value. We proudly carry a full line of professional French/irregular curves, all of which are individually poly-wrapped... -
2mm HB Compass Lead - 12/tube
Alvin & Co.$2.20Each tube holds 12 leads 2mm in diameter and ¾" long. Packaged 12 leads/tube. -
12" Graduated Flexible Curve
Pacific Arc$9.20 - $22.90BulletsFeatures: Graduated sizes: 12", 16", 18", 24".Inches and metric available for any measuring needs.Completely straighten or bend into whatever shape needed.DescriptionFlexible Curves allow for... -
Drafting Instruments for Technical Drawing and Precision Layout
Architecture and engineering students still learn geometry, spacing, and layout fundamentals on these tools during manual drafting coursework. Many professionals keep a few on hand for concept sketching and quick layout work long after most of their day moves into CAD software.
Choosing Instruments That Hold Up
A cheap compass is one of the most common frustrations students run into. Low-cost compasses slip, wobble, or drift out of adjustment mid-drawing, which turns a simple circle into a repeated headache over a semester of geometry or drafting coursework. Spending a bit more on a compass that holds its setting pays off fast once you are using it several times a week.
Triangles and parallel bars see just as much use. A well-made triangle stays true, with clean edges that won't chip or wear quickly, while a quality parallel bar can last for decades with proper care. It's not unusual for us to hear from architects and engineers who still have the same parallel bar they learned on years ago and are looking for parts to keep their bar in working order.
Still Used Alongside CAD
Hand drafting has not gone away. Instructors use these tools to teach geometry, spacing, and proportion before students ever open a CAD program, and many working designers still sketch ideas by hand before modeling them digitally. Compasses, triangles, and parallel bars stay part of that process even after the drawing moves onto a screen.
Complete Your Drafting Workspace
Pair drafting instruments with related drafting tools and drawing supplies to create a complete technical drawing and design workspace.
Shop Drafting Templates | Shop Drafting Pencils & Leads | Shop Ruling & Measuring Tools | Shop Technical Pens | Shop Drafting Paper | Shop Drafting Boards |
