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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Alumicolor Beam Compass Rule
Alumicolor$14.05 - $15.35The Alumicolor Compass Ruler Set includes a shaft, anchor point, lead holder, and lead, all in one package. This versatile tool can create large circles and automatically calculates the radius, area,... -
Angle and Circle Maker
Helix$5.60This circular protractor rotates freely, enabling you to draw angles like a protractor and circles like a compass. The center disc includes slots for drawing angles up to 360° and holes for creating... -
Basic-Bow Standard Drawing Set
Alvin Drafting$43.80Set includes 6" and 4½" pencil compass/dividers and 6" friction divider with self centering gear head design and replaceable needle points.Features: 6" compass is designed with fiberglass ringhead... -
Beam Compass Bar Slide Assembly
Pacific Arc$5.70The Bar Slide Assembly for Beam Compasses allows smooth and accurate adjustment of beam compasses. It contains a complete bar slide assembly that replaces the sliding leg part of any Alvin beam... -
Beam Compass Coupling
Pacific Arc$4.00Beam Compass Coupling with thumb screw. Works with both Pacific Arc & Alvin beam compasses. -
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Beam Compass Point Leg
Pacific Arc$2.40Point leg for beam compasses.Works with both Pacific Arc & Alvin beam compasses. -
Beam Compass Ruling Pen Leg
Pacific Arc$2.30Ruling pen leg for beam compasses. Works with both Pacific Arc & Alvin beam compasses. -
C-THRU 8-Piece French Curve Set - Inkling Edge
Westcott$17.00This French curve set includes eight of the most popular curves. These heavy-weight curves feature a smooth inking edge and allow you to create a wide variety of continuous, flowing arcs and curves... -
Circle Ruler
Helix$4.70This dual-purpose ruler also works as a compass, allowing the you to make circles from 1/16" to 12" in diameter. A useful tool for draftsmen, students, artists and crafters who require precise,... -
College Combination Set
Staedtler$7.40Some of Staedtlers's most popular tools all in one set! These tinted plastic tools all have inking edges. 4-Piece Set Includes: 12" ruler 6" 45°/90° triangle 8" 30°/60° triangle 6" 180°... -
Graduated Beam Compass
Alvin Drafting$50.30The Alvin Beam Compass Comes with two graduated beam bars and includes spare leads and needlepoint, is also complete with interchangeable ruling pen, pencil, and divider legs. This beam compass is... -
Graduated Metal Beam Compass Set
Pacific Arc$46.00Draw large, accurate circles and arcs with the Pacific Arc Professional Graduated Beam Compass. Made in Germany, this precision instrument includes two 13-inch beam bars that can be joined with the... -
Maverick Bow Compass Drawing Set
Alvin & Co.$31.80Drawing set includes 2 compasses, divider, pencil, pointer, and replacement lead.Features: 6" bow compass with center wheel, straight leg design for pencil drafting4" bow compass with center wheel... -
Needle Point - 12/Pack
Alvin Drafting$7.70Chrome finish steel. Packaged and sold in tubes of 12.One end pointed the other end blunt. For No. 891 and No. 893.25mm long x 2mm diameter -
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Pencil Leg For Beam Compass
Pacific Arc$2.40The Pencil Leg for beam compasses is a useful compass replacement part. It is durable and long-lasting with its metal material. It includes one compass pencil leg that is compatible with all Alvin... -
Plain Flexible Curves
Pacific Arc$6.70 - $14.30BulletsFeatures: Plain sizes: 12", 16", 18", 24", 30", 36Inking edge is compatible with any writing utensil.Completely straighten or bend into whatever shape needed.DescriptionFlexible Curves offer... -
Plastic Math Set
Staedtler$2.60Stay prepared for math class with this essential 4-piece set, which includes a 6-inch ruler, a 4-inch protractor, a 45-degree triangle, and a 30/60-degree triangle. The transparent design of the... -
Professional Adjustable Triangles - Straight Edge
Staedtler$26.35 - $43.75Clear acrylic with smooth edges. Protractor section is graduated in 1/2 degree increments from 0 to 90 degrees. Available in even sizes from 8" to 12". Features: .118" thick clear acrylic...
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 |
