The history and framework of a drafting board

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A drafting board, or a drawing board, is a multi-purpose desk or table used for writing, sketching and drawing through the use of multi-sized paper necessary for drawing and creating technical pieces of writing and illustrations.

During the pre-industrial era, a drawing or drafting board was traditionally a frequent companion associated with a pedestal desk that is usually present in a man’s private library or study room. During this time, the art of drafting increasingly became a specialized field, and drafting tables gradually have been moved out of libraries and offices. They have become more practical and were mostly built from plastic and steel.

The modern times paved the way for most engineers and draftsmen to use the drafting board in creating and revising drawings on drafting papers with the use of pencils and inks. Numerous drafting tools such as protractors, angles and t-squares are primarily used to draw parallel and précised drawing on it. There are also several instruments which are used to draw arcs, curves, symbols, and circles. However, with the deliberate introduction of the computer-aided drawing program or CAD during the late 21^st century, the use of the drafting board has been less common.

A drafting board or table is also referred to as a mechanical desk because during the previous centuries, mechanical tables were mostly used as drawing tables. Contrary to the high-tech mechanical tables that became famous during the 18^th century, the mechanical parts of a drafting board or table were just limited to ratchets, notches and simple gears, such as cogs and levers which support the main working board.

Most often than not, drawing tables can also be used as a writing desk when the working board is angled at a horizontal phase. The advantage of using these tables as writing desks is due mainly to the lip located on the edge of the table. This lip is normally used in stoppage for books and writing materials which keep them from sliding or falling down form the table. When the working board of a drafting table is extended to its optimum height, a drafting board can also be used as a display or standing desk.

Even with the continued prevalence of the CAD, numerous traditional architects and designers still rely on the conventional paper and pencil method in producing graphics that is completed on a drafting board.

Recent drafting boards are normally made out of steel frames. Steel invariably offers powerful strength as compared to the old wood drafting boards.

The surface of most drafting boards is normally covered with a vinyl sheet known as drafting board cover. This cover offers maximum protection and surface for pen and pencil drafting. It also enables the drafter to use dividers and compasses without actually damaging the surface of the drafting board. A drafting board cover must be regularly cleaned in order to prevent the build-up of graphite. Located on the edge of the table is a strip of steel or aluminum that keeps the drafting tools from sliding down the table. It also secures the drafting papers and other necessary drafting materials within and above the drafting board.

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