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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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... -
Quickbow Compass
Staedtler$31.60This Staedtler quick-setting compass features a convenient push-button mechanism and center wheel, allowing for easy adjustments while drawing. The set includes a universal adapter that accommodates... -
Ruling Pen
Pacific Arc$3.80 - $4.70The Pacific Arc Ruling Pen is a precision drawing tool designed for creating clean, consistent ink lines with India ink or masking fluid. It can be used as a traditional ruling pen for technical... -
Safety Compass & Protractor Set
Art Alternatives$3.90This 2-piece set is ideal for students, professionals and DIY creatives. The compass allows you to draw accurate angles and circles, and the 180° protractor is divided into one degree increments with... -
Scale Divider
Derwent$14.40The scale divider stands as an essential tool for artists, offering unparalleled value in achieving accurate proportions in their work. Rooted in tradition dating back to the great artists of the... -
Scholastic Clear Triangles - Straight Edge
Pacific Arc$1.90 - $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... -
Scholastic Compass
Art Alternatives$2.40Draw accurate circles and angles with this durable, reliable compass. With both inch and metric markings, this compass is perfect for school, office, home and workshop use.Features:Metal... -
Scholastic Triangle Set
Pacific Arc$2.60 - $4.80One 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 &... -
School Math Kit
Staedtler$11.30Unique flip storage case with Staedtler quality instruments! Set Includes: Metal DividerMetal Compass with Universal AdaptorWhite Latex-Free EraserWood Pencil6" Protractor6" Ruler45 Degree... -
Speed Bow Introductory Compass with Beam Bar
Alvin Drafting$21.90Synchronized precision scissor-action thread system opens or closes legs to desired radius in one quick motion. Perfectly balanced and weighted for easy one-hand operation. Features: Creates circles... -
Speed Bow Introductory Set
Alvin & Co.$15.506½" compass with smooth-action rapid adjustment durable cast zinc construction and black fiberglass crown and reinforcements. Features double knee joints for parallel leg positioning and precise... -
Speed-Set Beam Compass
Alvin Drafting$40.00The Alvin Beam Compass Comes with two 13-inch non-graduated beam bars and includes spare leads and needlepoint, is also complete with interchangeable ruling pen, pencil, and divider legs. This beam... -
Speed-Set Beam Compass
Pacific Arc$39.70Made in Germany using the finest materials and proven manufacturing techniques, the beam compass allows the user to draw circles up to 48” in diameter. Each beam compass set includes two beam bars,... -
Student Math Set
Staedtler$5.90Staedtler Mars Student Math Set in zippered pouch.Contains: Compass with blunt safety point and inch/metric measuring scale 6" 180 degree protractor Pencil Sharpener Eraser Zippered... -
Super Math Set
Staedtler$23.70The Staedtler Super Math Set contains all the essential tools a student needs for math, architecture, and engineering courses.Contains: 6" Compass with adaptorExtension barTube of compass lead0... -
Tru-Angle Adjustable Triangle - Straight Edge
Alvin Drafting$21.90 - $37.05The Alvin Drafting Tru-Angle Adjustable Triangle combines the features of a 45°/90° adjustable triangle with those of a protractor, allowing you to draw angles from 0° to 90° with ½° accuracy. It... -
Universal Adaptor
Pacific Arc$5.90An adaptor for accurate mounting of all writing and drawing instruments to a compass. -
Universal Compass Adaptor
Pacific Arc$1.80Universal Adaptor fits all size compasses and accepts almost any writing instrument. 3.4mm OR 4.0mm shaft
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 |
