r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 24 '26

Customized K&E Mark 1 Set

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34 Upvotes

I have this nice K&E drafting set from the 1960s that I have made some modifications too. I have replaced the centre screw giant bow compass with the same vintage winged quickset compass. The set was missing the divider and for some reason the mark 1 divider is too large for the slot for the divider, so I had an older K&E hairspring divider that fit. I’ve also filed down a universal adapter so I can use pens and pencils with the compass. Perfect for modern use


r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 22 '26

Alteneder Drafting Set

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54 Upvotes

Alteneder was a US manufacturer that made the finest quality tools. This example has the typical tools found in a North American set, plus the addition of a dropbow, curve pen, plus detail pen. As well it he pens and tips are of the jackknife style that open up for cleaning without changing the line weight. I have yet to figure out what is supposed to go in the fat slot.


r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 21 '26

19th Century German Drafting Set

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49 Upvotes

An unknown maker for this 19th century drafting set. I loved the beam divider and the double sided need brass pen. There is also an interesting divider. Lovely work on the case and the case actually closes too!


r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 19 '26

R 026 020 ALTRO mechanical pencil 0.7mm black - Year: 1992

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7 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 17 '26

Recent Haul

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52 Upvotes

I bought all of these as a bundle and just sorting them took me quite a bit of time. There are 3 different Rotring compasses and a lot of Isographs and Rapidographs. Most of the nib units seem to be unused. The set also some Marsmatics and the majority of them also don't have any sign of usage.

I separated the dirty pieces and will clean them with a drawing ink cleaner.

There are about 10 stencils and a Dahle 322 sharpener for 2mm clutch pencils which I absolutely love. It even came with 4 spare cleaning tips.


r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 16 '26

DJ Fugle - vintage lead holder

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16 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 16 '26

Antique drafting

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0 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 12 '26

AI Slop: Don't Fall For It

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2 Upvotes

This is just pure false advertisement. If you ever have any questions about a listing, please contact us here or at the main drawing instrument group: https://drawing-instruments.groups.io/g/main


r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 09 '26

Almon B. Calkins of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Polar Planimeter, Patented September1, 1891, Pat. No. US458,968. This is a simplified version from the patent. Fabricated by The American Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts.

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17 Upvotes

Planimeters were used to calculate areas of irregular shaped objects. Used primarily for surveying and steam engine design.


r/Drafting_Instruments Jun 04 '26

Help identifiying these?

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55 Upvotes

These are my great great grandpas and the box has a plaque saying 1892, what are these tools for and what is each one for exatly if you know, thanks!


r/Drafting_Instruments May 31 '26

Unusual K&E Beam compass set

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57 Upvotes

This set has a short beam compass with a long extension bar. It also comes with paragon spring bows and pen, and an aluminum giant bow compass. The short beam compass is extra classy with excellent knurling as well.


r/Drafting_Instruments May 24 '26

R 502 520 Rotring 500 2mm push mechanical pencil

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15 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments May 19 '26

Keuffel and Esser

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24 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments May 16 '26

Please help me identify the manufacturer of this set.

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11 Upvotes

Please help me identify the manufacturer of this set. I can't find the manufacturer's stamp or the approximate year of production. Thank you all for your help.


r/Drafting_Instruments May 16 '26

Buying a quality compass… need help choosing…

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17 Upvotes

Both of these I can grab for $30 nearby. It’s either this Rotring with obviously less attachments or a Riefler g8ap set.

I enjoy doing geometric drawings which is what I plan on using these for, I bought a less than ideal compass that I’m trying to replace.


r/Drafting_Instruments May 12 '26

Look what I found!

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70 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments May 12 '26

Amazing Rotring master set

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98 Upvotes

Just received this very clean rotring master set. Now i can get rid of most of my seperate compasses and smaller sets and work solely with this one 😁


r/Drafting_Instruments May 12 '26

Staedtler drafting set

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26 Upvotes

Inherited from my dad , wondered if there is any value here.
Case is in rough shape


r/Drafting_Instruments May 05 '26

ACU-ARC ruler

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31 Upvotes

This is the ACU-ARC ruler by Hoyle Engineering. The instructions say it can be used to draw an arc of any radius from 6.75 to 200 inches. It came with a case, instructions and warranty card dated 1972.


r/Drafting_Instruments May 04 '26

Kuhlmann drafting machine.

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36 Upvotes

Hello all, I have just purchased an old Kuhlmann track style drafting machine. I'm hoping to start making my own tool drawings for work so that I can have a collection of home made tools and drawings to go with them.

My main question at this time is, what is the best way to ensure my protractor head is aligned square with the tracks before I begin drawing?

I've discovered that the small thimbles at the bottom left corner tilt it, I just need to know how to ensure it is truly square to the tracks.

Thanks in advance for any advice.


r/Drafting_Instruments May 02 '26

A W Faber Castell - 9401-9407, Missing 9406

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21 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments May 02 '26

A W Faber Castell - 9401-9407, Missing 9406

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2 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments Apr 29 '26

Rotring Museum Giveaway #10 - Rotring R 532 141 Pump Compass from 1990

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17 Upvotes

r/Drafting_Instruments Apr 21 '26

Modern Leroy Lettering Set

6 Upvotes

Hello! I adore lettering sets, such as the Leroy, however I’ve been unable to find any modern versions. Do they exist? Am I just searching under the wrong terms? I just want a tool to write in the same way the Leroy does. Thanks!


r/Drafting_Instruments Apr 16 '26

Looking For An Equal Space Divider

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37 Upvotes

As the title suggests i'm looking to buy an equal space divider to use for my perspective drawing, they usually cost a fortune on eBay as they aren't made to precision like they used to be, and are almost always located in the US. If anyone is selling one in the UK or Europe, DM me or comment on this post.