As an engineer the reduction of drafting as a profession is a huge disservice. Even in the age of CAD. It’s like asking an author to do their own proofreading. Working with professional drafter is always better but hard to get management to see it that way.

Drafting used to be its own profession within Architecture. In the 1930s, the highest paid employees at my grandfather's Architecture office were four draftsman who worked on the third floor manually copying sketches and existing drawings EXACTLY as drawn; human engineering copiers. When the copied drawings were no longer needed my grandmother washed and bleached them in her washing machine and cut them up into handkerchiefs; best-quality Linen cloth.

When I was in Architecture School in the 1970s, only the railroads and the mining industry still used linen drawings rather than vellum paper. Inked linen would last 100 years until needed. Vellum deteriorates.

A shortcut for draughting pens was to have one or two preset to the desired widths,  similar to the Rapidograph pens they were still using in the 1980s on mylar.

Drawing inks, including India Ink, contain gum arabic as the binding agent.  This makes them cling to the pen, and dry quickly and waterproof.  This also clogs pens, which is why it must be removed from them quickly.  And why drawing inks must NEVER be used in fountain pens.

I go to Purdue University now. In my Freshman year I took a CAD class, which touched on making drawings by hand, but the modern curriculum has taken all of the skill and artistry out of the process. I collect drafting tools and practice drafting skills because I hope these skills are never lost, even though I recognize the efficiency of making drawings using CAD software.

the lost art of tracing.. what a gem of video

The guys a master.  I hope my lines are that nice someday

They always did it better back in the day. Quality of the craftsmanship has deteriorated over the years.  This is a good teaching video for sure.. Thanks

Memories.  I miss the old days.

Those are some seriously gorgeous tools. I wish they still made them like this… Although new old stock from well-known names like rotring isn’t particularly expensive.

i recently bought a vintage Dietzgen drawing tool kit just like the one used in this video and am ecstatic to find this instructional video so i might rediscover and explore this dying art.

Unintentional ASMR

I have a drafting set that was my dad’s in school in the 40’s.  I never knew and always wondered what that tool was that was like a compass with a point on one end and a tweezers looking thing on the other end.  Now I know - it’s a pen.  Fascinating video.

Saludos desde Caracas Venezuela 🇻🇪🌹❤️
Excelente, MUY BIEN. De 1957  y cómo digujaban estos señores 💯.
Y Publicado hace 8 años, qué joya 💎 y aprendizaje para las futuras generaciones que hoy dibujamos en papel y CAD, aprendan gente joven, no todo es CAD y I.A.
Exitos en sus futuros videos y Muchas GRACIAS.
21-09-25.😅

This is the only thing I could find on how to actually use a ruling pen for drafting.  Combined with the demise of all the companies that made high quality pens and compasses, this is really the loss of a useful and often beautiful art and craft.

This video is a gem

I got anemoia for a profession I never worked, from a time I never knew.

People used to be smart: it'll be a miracle if we ever get back to the moon.

That is an excellent training video.  Thanks very much!

nice I AM LEARNING THIS IN 2022

My home town West Lafayette! Purdue baby!