Drawing and sketching

Drawing is the common language of metalworking professionals. Except for minor differences in conventions, two metalworkers in different countries should be able to exchange drawings and be able to interpret the specifications. This ability to communicate across language barriers is extremely powerful.

Use 8½ “×11 ” sketch paper, draw large and fill the sheet. Tiny sketches are like tiny brains: who wants one?

Press hard with the writing instrument. Faint lines and text are for accountants—not metalworkers. Everything shows up when the sheet goes through the copier if you use a heavy hand.

Take some time and learn how to functionally sketch in the isometric projection. This technique saves countless hours of drawing time because many times you only need one view instead of the standard two or three views to fully communicate a part.

The three isometric axes.

I have a little trick to help me with my isometric drawing. I made a special ruler, which, when combined with normal graph paper or even plain lined paper, can make anyone’s isometric drawings look good. Although you can buy ruled isometric paper, I found that when you photocopy or scan it, the grid lines get darker and you wash out your sketch object lines, turning a nice isometric sketch into a jumble of spidery lines.

To start making decent looking isometric sketches on the shop floor, you will need a plastic ruler that’s clear so you can see through it. It should have lines on it parallel to the long axis of the ruler. These are used to set distances parallel to existing lines. They also work great for spacing hatch lines when you draw a cross section.

If you want nice circles, you will need an isometric circle template. I skip the template in the shop and hand draw circles. Remember that the goal is to get it done as quickly as possible with good quality. It’s better to have a decent quick sketch than a perfect sketch that took way too long to make.

The Iso-ruler I made is cut off at the same angle, approximately 35°, as the normal isometric axis.