Drafting mechanical pencils vs. “ordinary” mechanical pencils

[coldman]

Jetpens sorts mechanical pencils and mechanical drafting pencils into two categories, but they seem to use the same lead. What's the difference? More solid construction on the drafting pencils?

[gds]

Jetpens sorts mechanical pencils and mechanical drafting pencils into two categories, but they seem to use the same lead. What's the difference? More solid construction on the drafting pencils?

Good question. I've always taken it to imply the presence of a thin metal tube where the lead comes out, so that the pencil can be used conveniently with a ruler when doing technical drawing.

[Bismuth]

The metal sleeve (what was the technical term for it?) is for sure a distinguishing characteristic of drafting and non-drafting pencils , and afaik it technically is the only thing that stops a company labeling their regular pencils drafting. However one gets the impression that drafting pencils are generally of higher quality and better construction, not that there aren't well constructed and similarly expensive "regular" pencils out there but I get the impression that there are the cheap regular pencils and the regular pencils labeled "fine writing" at staples and nothing in between. I use a rotring 600 and ohto 1500s regularly in 0.3mm, nice pencils are as nice as nice pens.

[troglokev]

The long guide pipe is the major distinguishing feature. Generally a better quality build, and a no frills, fit for purpose design ethic also distinguish them from the run-of-the-mill mechanical pencil.

 

A good pencil is a beautiful thing.

 

Mine include:

Rotring 600

Faber-Castell Tk-matic (my user pencil for 20 years, so alas not in the minty condition that would fetch a sky-high price)

Faber-Castell Tk-Fine

Faber-Castell Tk-Fine Vario-L

Staedtler 925-95

Staedtler 925-85

Ohto Super Pro-Mecha 1500

 

Every one a keeper!

 

[Randal6393]

The longer guide tube and "no-frills" design is the difference, AfAIK. But as far as use goes, I find many regular pencils work as well for ruling lines as any drafting pencil. And drafting pencils work just great for writing with.

 

In a similar vein, I look long and hard for a good quality "drafting lead" for my mechanical pencils. Whether I intend to use for writing or drafting purposes.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

What makes them different is a longer guide tube. The guide tube is usually about 4 mm, is fixed when the pencil is in use (all or nothing e.g. Staedtler Mars Micro, Pentel Graphgear 1000), and tubular, not conical. The click mechanism usually dispenses less per click and is more precise.

 

Dillon

[chomann]

The long guide pipe is the major distinguishing feature. Generally a better quality build, and a no frills, fit for purpose design ethic also distinguish them from the run-of-the-mill mechanical pencil.

 

A good pencil is a beautiful thing. <img src="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbup.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="thumbup.gif" />

 

Mine include:

Rotring 600

Faber-Castell Tk-matic (my user pencil for 20 years, so alas not in the minty condition that would fetch a sky-high price)

Faber-Castell Tk-Fine

Faber-Castell Tk-Fine Vario-L

Staedtler 925-95

Staedtler 925-85

Ohto Super Pro-Mecha 1500

 

Every one a keeper!

 

Check out the Pentel Kerry Sharp. It has the longer guide tube for rulers, while at the same time ti has an awesome capping system (only one I know of) for daily pocket carry. As an engineer in the field or shop its amazing, while retaining a great look for the meeting room / business trip.

[Uncle Red]

I'll second the Kerry. There's a button on the cap so that when it's posted (with a secure snap) you can still advance the lead. Neat.

[mindbridge]

Take a look at the Pental Graph 1000. Fantastic value for the cost.

[Parse Error]

A looser rule is that drafting pencils are designed for drawing while regular pencils are designed for writing.

 

Even though it's perfectly acceptable to write with a drafting pencil, you might get a few odd stares if you use a regular pencil for drawing.

[P.A.R.]

Take a look at the Pental Graph 1000. Fantastic value for the cost.

+1. Nice grip and more or less eliminates the need for a cap, as you can retract the "lead guiding tube" by pressing the clip.

 

I just got myself an inexpensive Pacific Arc brand 2mm lead holder, and like it thus far for normal writing. Should be nice for any drafting I have to do for math as well.

[flight878]

Hi,

 

What makes them different is a longer guide tube. The guide tube is usually about 4 mm, is fixed when the pencil is in use (all or nothing e.g. Staedtler Mars Micro, Pentel Graphgear 1000), and tubular, not conical. The click mechanism usually dispenses less per click and is more precise.

 

Dillon

 

Dillon's explanation is perfect. Drafters in the pre-CAD days not only needed the 4-mm metal sleeve for rulers or precision drawing, but also for use in stencils and lettering guides (recall the AMES lettering guide anyone?).

 

Other features I've noticed that strongly distinguish drafting pencils from other mechanical pencils is the more solid construction. Many exhibit solid metal construction with ridged or knurled grips. Also, many drafting pencils feature a lead grade indicator, since it was not uncommon to have multiple identical drafting pencils, each holding different lead grade.

[P.A.R.]

Also, many drafting pencils feature a lead grade indicator, since it was not uncommon to have multiple identical drafting pencils, each holding different lead grade.

Ah hah! So that's what that was for on the 1000. I thought it had something to do with how the lead inside was gripped or something to that effect

[burgerkong]

Also the knurling on the grip, making it easy to rotate the pencil when you're drawing a line for consistent line thicknesses. Get the rOtring 800 instead of a 600, the retractable tip is FANTASTIC.