Technical and engineering drawing.

Edited By Steve Garnett on 18/04/2011 10:12:25

Dear Terry,

I've only just seen this thread. Yes please, an article(s) on technical drawings would be an excellent idea.

I remember some cryptic comments from one of the expert tutors on the SMEE training course about model engineers' drawings, where dimensions had no common reference point. On the other hand 'proper' engineers' drawings gave dimensions from a fixed datum.

Am I alone in thinking that model engineering is more than just making things, whether steam engines, aeroplanes or even trams? For me it includes studying the history and development of technology and techniques.

In many ways the Model Engineer magazines of the 1950s and 60s were more interesting than those of today. The contributors seemed to have greater practical experience of the subject – yes, I do realise it's not so available today. Also the articles were more wide ranging and aimed at producing models using basic equipment and skills. Personally I don't want a computer to drive my machining centre, I may as well buy a finished product.

Never the less I really appreciate the constructive contributions to this forum, especially those with photos – and drawings!

Bill.

Edited By Steve Garnett on 18/04/2011 10:49:12

Edited By David Clark 1 on 18/04/2011 10:55:12

Edited By David Clark 1 on 18/04/2011 11:48:34

David Yes! let’s make things. All my stuff is sketched in perspective scribbles so I can see what it looks like when it is finished. I have a free CAD package but it seems to disagree with my Video drivers and is NBG or (NBJ in Hungarian). When I can get it fixed I have some articles for you. I do not think anyone would make head or tail of my note book. I am trying to dimension photographs instead

Sam I am almost that old. I seem to remember my dad going to the yard sales to buy some wood – They were breaking up the Ark at the time.

The art teacher showed us it in art classes where we had to draw things like postage stamps wrapped round drain pipes. The year was 1947. The lady who taught us before was into finger painting etc. but this one was a perspective nut. He could also draw.

Edited By EtheAv8r on 18/04/2011 12:59:41

Posted by Terryd on 18/04/2011 13:09:32:

... I still don't see how you can make a success of any model if you can't read a drawing properly.

Best regards

Terry

Exactly.

And how are you going to make anything of your own design, if you can't draw it and prove it's viability first?

Martin.

Edited By blowlamp on 18/04/2011 13:20:49

Terry, you have got my vote. A clear updated article on TD, would probably help me to better under stand the cheap and basic Cad programs, And trying to correct the badly drawn IC plans of the internet, is difficult, knowing how to do it properly will help, I am NOT interested in live steam only IC so an article by you is a must.

John Holloway

As a previous Editor of Model Engineers’ Workshop, may I be permitted to add my two-pennyworth to this discussion?

I sympathise with David over the content of drawings he is able to present because of the time pressures he is under. I took on the job at six issues a year, but was soon ‘nudged’ up to eight. When it became obvious that the next target was twelve, I decided that enough was enough and moved on. My decision was influenced by the fact that, with the resources available to me, I was not going to be able to produce a publication to the standard I had set.

Much of the problem was due to the time required to bring drawings to an acceptable standard. I always recognised that I was going to receive contributions containing both text and drawings which would need considerable adjustment, this being the inevitable consequence of relying on ‘non-professional contributors (not ‘un-professional’, I hasten to add). It would never be possible to bring all drawings in line with the British Standard, but I always bore in mind the words of a former editor of ‘M.E.’, who said “will the intentions of the designer be clear to someone trying to work from the drawing?”. By the way, why are they so often referred to, incorrectly, as ‘plans’?

Much of my time was spent dealing with drawings to the notorious ‘two-and-a-half’ angle projection. Where on earth did this originate?