Drafting Compass, Dividers & Instrument Sets Tools for Drawing & Navigation

Drafting Compasses, Dividers, & Sets Configurations

• Compass with Divider include a piece of graphite lead & extra divider point. Replace lead with shoulder point to turn the compass into a divider. Some models include additional components including beam bars, adapters for inking, and holding pencils & pens.
• Compass only has no extra shoulder point. Some models fit in pocket as well as come with different components including beam bar and apparatuses to hold pens, pencils and markers.
• Dividers are friction dividers available up to 8” in length.
• Instrument Sets include 1 or more compass and divider plus many additional components such as beam bars, lead holders, and apparatuses for inking and holding pencils.
• Replacement Parts & Lead fit most all compass models.

A compass has two arms one containing a needle (shoulder needle) and the other a graphite lead. To draw a circle and arc with the compass adjust the width/spread (distance between needle point and lead); place the needle point at the center where the two center lines intersect; rotate the compass by twisting the thumb and forefinger to produce the circles line. It is important to sharpen the lead to a chisel point to produce lines of even thickness while rotating the compass. Generally soft lead (F or HB) are used in compasses so the circle are drawn as dark object lines.

A divider’s two arms have a point which ends touch when closed. To compare sizes of drawing elements open the divider points across one element then compare against the second or compare by measuring each against a scale ruler. Measure distance by opening the divider points to a set scale then plot across the drawing or map to get a distance. A divider is also used to divide a line into segments.

Drafting sets include both a divider and compass plus some have additional tools for inking and lettering.