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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Masterbow Compass
Staedtler$16.10Precision metal compass with spring-bow head and center wheel. The nickel finish resists rust and stains. Maximum circle drawn: 10 3/4". Overall compass length: 6 1/8". Spare parts tube includes... -
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4-3/4" Academic Bow Pencil Compass
Alvin & Co.$12.50Hoop spring tension pencil compass creates circles up to 4" in diameter.Features: Fast center wheel adjustment Built-in spindle stop to prevent over extension Matte nickel finish that... -
4-Piece French Curve Set
Alvin Drafting$15.80Alvin Drafting French Curves are an ideal tool for drawing irregular curves and connecting lines and line segments. Use these French curves in manual drafting to draw smooth curves of varying radii... -
6" Basic-Bow Compass and Beam Bar
Alvin Drafting$27.20Designed with a fiberglass ringhead and pivot design for smooth, firm adjustment. Features: Accurate center wheel adjusts quickly Makes circles up to 10" in diameterBeam bar extension creates... -
6" Basic-Bow Pencil Compass/Divider
Alvin Drafting$15.10Designed with a fiberglass ring head and pivot design for smooth, firm adjustment. Features: Accurate center wheel adjusts quickly and easily Creates circles up to 10" diameter. Built-in... -
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... -
6.5" Smoke-Grey French Curve - Inking Edge
Alvin Drafting$2.90The Alvin French Curve is perfect for drawing irregular curves and connecting line segments. Its dual inking edges ensure smudge-free, precise results with pencils or technical pens on either side... -
8" 45/90 Acrylic Cutting-Edge Triangle
Art Alternatives$13.30These clear acrylic triangles features grid markings including centering lines to facilitate scaled drawings, geometric compositions, and detailed linework. These are multi-use tools, handy for... -
Math/Geometry School Kit
Staedtler$8.908 essential Staedtler tools contained in a flip-open storage box.Set Includes: CompassAutomatic/Mechanical Pencil6" Protractor6" Ruler 30°/60° triangle 45°/90° triangle Spare Lead Premium... -
Professional Flexible Curve
Pickett$6.95 - $12.25The Pickett Professional Flexible Curve is used to measure and draw irregular curves.Features: Create irregular curvesContains inking edge for easy markingGreen colorMade of durable plastic and easy... -
10" Smoke-Grey French Curve - Inking Edge
Alvin Drafting$4.40The Alvin French Curve is perfect for drawing irregular curves and connecting line segments. Its dual inking edges ensure smudge-free, precise results with pencils or technical pens on either side... -
10-Piece Geometry Study Set
Maped$7.95A compact, comprehensive geometry set that is packed in a reusable plastic storage box.Set Includes: Metal compass with pencil holder Metal compass with lead Pencil... -
10-Piece Math Set
Staedtler$3.40The Staedtler Math Set is an ideal tool bundle for math class and drafting! Math Set Contains: 6"/15cm ruler (Imperial and metric)4" 45 degree set square4" 30/60 degree set square4" 180 degree... -
10-Piece Mathematical Instrument Set
Alvin & Co.$6.00This Mathematical Instrument Set includes:Metal pencil compassAlphabet stencil45° triangle30°/60° triangleVinyl eraser Metal divider Pencil6"/15cm ruler180° protractorSharpenerPackaged in attractive... -
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... -
12" Ruler & Geometry Set
Art Alternatives$9.40Perfect for students and professionals alike, this geometry set contains a 180° protractor, 45° and 60° triangles and a 12" ruler. The rulers and triangles all have inch and centimeter calibrations... -
12.5" Smoke-Grey French Curve - Inking Edge
Alvin Drafting$4.40The Alvin French Curve is perfect for drawing irregular curves and connecting line segments. Its dual inking edges ensure smudge-free, precise results with pencils or technical pens on either side... -
2-Piece Aluminum Triangle Set
Alumicolor$12.00 - $14.70Alumicolor Calibrated Triangles are made of tempered aluminum. Photo anodized calibrations are a part of the finish and resist cleaning or rubbing off. Ultra smooth finish won't mark your work... -
24" Irregular French Curve
Alvin Drafting$23.60Introducing the Alvin Drafting 24" Aluminum French Curve Ruler, a versatile tool perfect for drawing, planning, and designing tasks in various fields including drafting and architecture. Its...
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 |
