ClipArt ETC

The Mechanical Drawing ClipArt gallery offers 112 illustrations of drafting techniques and practices.

Orthographic projection drawing of stairs. An orthographic projection is the method of representing the exact form of an object in two or more views on planes generally at right angles to each other, by dropping perpendiculars fro the object to the planes.

Orthographic Projection of Stairs

Orthographic projection drawing of stairs. An orthographic projection is the method of representing…

The line can be divided by using the divider and estimating the leg distance by the eye.

Bisecting Line Using Divider

The line can be divided by using the divider and estimating the leg distance by the eye.

An illustration of the hexagonal bolt head showing measurements. The measurement of diameter, D, is used to calculate the dimensions. The diameter of the head and the nut, H, is 1 ½D ₌ ⅛, and the distance of T is half the diameter.

U.S. Standard Hexagonal Bolt Head

An illustration of the hexagonal bolt head showing measurements. The measurement of diameter, D, is…

In changing the compass from a small to large radius, hold the legs together with one hand and spin the nut with the other, in order to save wear on the threads.

Adjusting the Compass

In changing the compass from a small to large radius, hold the legs together with one hand and spin…

Always draw a circle in one stroke, inclining the compass in the direction of the line and rolling the handle between the thumb and finger.

Inking a Circle

Always draw a circle in one stroke, inclining the compass in the direction of the line and rolling the…

An application of line shading for curved surfaces used in mechanical drawing. The surfaces are shaded by using the cone shading technique.

Shaded Single Curved Surfaces

An application of line shading for curved surfaces used in mechanical drawing. The surfaces are shaded…

A representation of the square threaded nut and screw. The left image shows the threaded screw with a continuous helix drawn. The nut is cut in half to show how the threads are drawn with respect to the screw.

Diagram of Square Thread Nut and Screw

A representation of the square threaded nut and screw. The left image shows the threaded screw with…

A representation of the square threaded nut and screw. The left image shows the threaded screw with a continuous helix drawn. The nut is cut in half to show how the threads are drawn with respect to the screw.

Diagram of Square Thread Nut and Screw

A representation of the square threaded nut and screw. The left image shows the threaded screw with…

The divider is held in the right hand.

Holding the Divider

The divider is held in the right hand.

Drawing equal parts, one of three.

Dividers

Drawing equal parts, one of three.

Drawing equal parts, two of three.

Dividers

Drawing equal parts, two of three.

Drawing equal parts, three out of three.

Dividers

Drawing equal parts, three out of three.

It is possible to draw lines forming angles of 15 and 75 degrees by arranging two triangles.

Drawing Lines at an Angle 15 and 75

It is possible to draw lines forming angles of 15 and 75 degrees by arranging two triangles.

When drawing the circle, the compass is turned by the handle with the thumb and forefinger in a clockwise motion.

Drawing a Circle Using Compass

When drawing the circle, the compass is turned by the handle with the thumb and forefinger in a clockwise…

This is a sample lettering plate.

Drawing Board Lettering Setup

This is a sample lettering plate.

To fasten the paper, lay a sheet on the board with the left edge an inch or so from the ending, place a T-square in position and "true up" the paper with the T-square.

Adjusting the Paper

To fasten the paper, lay a sheet on the board with the left edge an inch or so from the ending, place…

Parallel lines are drawn by using a triangle in combination with a T-square. To draw a line parallel to the one given, place a triangle against the T-square and move them together until the hypotenuse of the triangle matches the line. Hold the T-square firmly and slide the triangle in the direction of the arrow until the desired position of the parallel line is reached.

Drawing Parallel Lines Exercise

Parallel lines are drawn by using a triangle in combination with a T-square. To draw a line parallel…

Lines perpendicular to each other may be drawn by using a triangle in combination with the T-square. To draw a line perpendicular to a given line place a triangle against the T-square and move them together until the hypotenuse of the triangle matches the line. Turn the triangle on its right angled corner until the perpendicular line can be drawn on the hypotenuse of the triangle.

Drawing Perpendicular Lines Exercise

Lines perpendicular to each other may be drawn by using a triangle in combination with the T-square.…

"Circles up to perhaps three inches in diameter may be drawn with the legs straight but for larger sizes both the needle-point and the pencil leg should be at the knuckle joints so as to be perpendicular to the paper." — French, 1911

Drawing Large Circles with Compass

"Circles up to perhaps three inches in diameter may be drawn with the legs straight but for larger sizes…

Circles should be unshaded or shaded evenly with thick and thin lines, changing at about 45 degrees.

Drawing Lines 4

Circles should be unshaded or shaded evenly with thick and thin lines, changing at about 45 degrees.

The 45-degree triangle can be used to make a line at a multiple of 15 degrees.

Drawing Lines using Triangle at Angles in Multiples of 15 degrees

The 45-degree triangle can be used to make a line at a multiple of 15 degrees.

The arrows shows the motion direction of drawing a 30-degrees, 45-degrees, or a-60 degrees angle using a 60-degree triangle.

Drawing Lines using Triangle, 30-, 45-, 60-Degrees

The arrows shows the motion direction of drawing a 30-degrees, 45-degrees, or a-60 degrees angle using…

T-squares can be used in conjunction with a drawing board to draw parallel lines.

Drawing Parallel Lines

T-squares can be used in conjunction with a drawing board to draw parallel lines.

Using a drawing board and pairs of triangles to draw parallel lines.

Drawing Parallel Lines

Using a drawing board and pairs of triangles to draw parallel lines.

Parallel lines are drawn by holding the triangle against the T-square at an angle, or another triangle, then slip the first triangle onto the required position.

Drawing Parallel Lines Using T-square and Triangle

Parallel lines are drawn by holding the triangle against the T-square at an angle, or another triangle,…

Perpendicular lines are drawn by fitting the hypothenuse of the triangle to the T-square at an angle, or another triangle. Then, turn the triangle so that the hypothenuse is perpendicular to the line.

Drawing Perpendicular Lines Using T-square and Triangle

Perpendicular lines are drawn by fitting the hypothenuse of the triangle to the T-square at an angle,…

A triangle and a T-square can be used in conjunction to draw a rectangle.

Drawing Rectangles

A triangle and a T-square can be used in conjunction to draw a rectangle.

Bow instruments can be used for drawing small circles. Hold the the left hand and spin the nut in or out with the finger to avoid wear and stripping the thread. "Small adjustments should be made with one hand, with needle point in position on the paper." — French, 1911

Drawing Small Circles with Bow Instrument

Bow instruments can be used for drawing small circles. Hold the the left hand and spin the nut in or…

When drawing vertical lines, the blade of the T-square is held with the thumb while the fingers adjusting the triangle.

Drawing Vertical Lines Using a T-square and a Triangle

When drawing vertical lines, the blade of the T-square is held with the thumb while the fingers adjusting…

Triangles are used in drawing lines at right angles to the T-square.

Drawing Vertical Parallel Lines

Triangles are used in drawing lines at right angles to the T-square.

An example of electricity: early galvanometer.

Electricity

An example of electricity: early galvanometer.

The illustration shows the finger position of the compass after the revolution. — French, 1911

Compass Finger Position

The illustration shows the finger position of the compass after the revolution. — French, 1911

Finding the center of gravity of a parallelogram. The point of intersection C is the center of gravity.

Center of Gravity

Finding the center of gravity of a parallelogram. The point of intersection C is the center of gravity.

The center of gravity of a triangle is the point of intersection O of the midpoint lines.

Center of Gravity

The center of gravity of a triangle is the point of intersection O of the midpoint lines.

The little finger on the left hand can guide the needle point of the compass to the center.

Guiding Needle Point of Compass to Little Finger

The little finger on the left hand can guide the needle point of the compass to the center.

A screw head with detailed measurements for accurate drawing. These measurements are based off the diameter of the overall screw and the head.

Diagram of Screw Head

A screw head with detailed measurements for accurate drawing. These measurements are based off the diameter…

A Alteneder Company bottle holder that prevents the ink bottle from spilling onto the drawing, table or floor. The bottle holder is made with a mechanism for easy access when filling the pen.

Alteneder Company Ink Bottle Holder

A Alteneder Company bottle holder that prevents the ink bottle from spilling onto the drawing, table…

For better control of the divider, hold the divider with the thumb and the index finger on the outside of the legs, and the middle and ring finger inside the leg. The head of the divider should be resting above the second joint of index finger.

Divider Holding Position

For better control of the divider, hold the divider with the thumb and the index finger on the outside…

"The pen should be held with the thumb and second finger in such position that they may be used in turning the adjusting screw, and the handle resting on the forefinger." —French, 1911

Holding the Pen

"The pen should be held with the thumb and second finger in such position that they may be used in turning…

All lines in a mechanical drawing are made with the aid of an instrument. Horizontal lines are drawn with the upper edge of the T-square blade as a guide.

Drawing a Horizontal Line

All lines in a mechanical drawing are made with the aid of an instrument. Horizontal lines are drawn…

Horizontal line can be drawn left to right by holding the pencil away from the point.

Sketching Horizontal Line

Horizontal line can be drawn left to right by holding the pencil away from the point.

The end view of a house that stores sweet potatoes.

Storage House

The end view of a house that stores sweet potatoes.

Draftsman's first method to draw a parabola

Hyperbola First Method

Draftsman's first method to draw a parabola

Draftsman's second method for drawing a hyperbola

Hyperbola Second Method

Draftsman's second method for drawing a hyperbola

Lengthening bar is used to draw circles bigger than 10 inches.

Use of Lengthening Bar

Lengthening bar is used to draw circles bigger than 10 inches.

"Illustrating the rule that an inclined illuminated surface is lightest nearest the eye and an inclined surface in shade is darkest nearest the eye." —French, 1911

Line Shading Application

"Illustrating the rule that an inclined illuminated surface is lightest nearest the eye and an inclined…

An example of the cylinder shaded by lines. The area without lines are where the light hit the cylinder. The line become darker when it is away from the light source.

Cylinder Line Shading

An example of the cylinder shaded by lines. The area without lines are where the light hit the cylinder.…

"A row of cylinders of different sizes. The effect of polish is given by leaving several brilliant lines, as might occur if light came in through several windows." —French, 1911

Series of Cylinder Line Shading

"A row of cylinders of different sizes. The effect of polish is given by leaving several brilliant lines,…

Castings can be measured by laying a straight edge on top to measure the dimensions of the casting.

Measuring Castings using Straight Edge

Castings can be measured by laying a straight edge on top to measure the dimensions of the casting.

An orthographic projection of a pyramid from three dimensional space into two dimensional space

Orthographic Pyramid Projection

An orthographic projection of a pyramid from three dimensional space into two dimensional space

"The Pantograph, or Pantagraph, is an instrument used in copying plans, maps, and other drawings, so that the copy may be either similar to, or larger or smaller than the original."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Pantograph

"The Pantograph, or Pantagraph, is an instrument used in copying plans, maps, and other drawings, so…

Draftsman's first method for drawing a parabola

Parabola First Method

Draftsman's first method for drawing a parabola

Draftsman's second method for drawing a parabola

Parabola Second Method

Draftsman's second method for drawing a parabola

Do not hold the pen over the drawing while filing. Keep the blades parallel to the direction of the line

Pen Positioning

Do not hold the pen over the drawing while filing. Keep the blades parallel to the direction of the…

An illustration of sharpening a pen to equal shape and length using a a stone soaked in oil. The pen is held about 30 degrees, and drawing line back and forth until sharpened to desired shape and length.

Sharpening Pen using Stone

An illustration of sharpening a pen to equal shape and length using a a stone soaked in oil. The pen…

The pen should be held positioning for strokes to move downwards with a steady, even motion and uniform pressure on the paper.

Position for Lettering

The pen should be held positioning for strokes to move downwards with a steady, even motion and uniform…

Lettering is the process of forming letters, numerals, and other characters in technical drawings.

Position for Lettering

Lettering is the process of forming letters, numerals, and other characters in technical drawings.

"It (pen) should be held easily, in the position as illustrated, the strokes drawn with a steady, even motion and a slight uniform pressure on the paper, not enough to spread the nibs of the pen." —French, 1911

Side View of Position for Lettering Using Pen

"It (pen) should be held easily, in the position as illustrated, the strokes drawn with a steady, even…

"For the first practice draw in pencil top and bottom guide lines for 3/16" letters and with a 516 F or similar pen make directly in ink a series of vertical lines, drawing the pen down with a finger movement. This one stroke must be practised until the beginner can get lines vertical and of equal weight." —French, 1911

Top View of Position for Lettering Using Pen

"For the first practice draw in pencil top and bottom guide lines for 3/16" letters and with a 516 F…

A body is shown as projecting from its surface projection lines, and these lines are cut by a plane. By connecting the points on the plane made by the projection lines the projection of the body is formed, and it corresponds in shape with the body itself.

Projected Geometric View

A body is shown as projecting from its surface projection lines, and these lines are cut by a plane.…