Question for Engineers?

[robin]

My father inlaw was an mechanical engineer and has a drafting table in the basement since he passed away we have been trying to give it away but have not found a home for it my question is do engineers still use them or do they all use the computer now?
Going to throw it away if we can't find a home for it really hate to do it.

[Bob E.]

I work in a Civil Engineering firm and our office has space for about 50 people or so (we're not full, though).  Anyways, we only have one drafting table in the entire office and it is buried in the back room with a bunch of junk piled on it.  We all use computers now.

15 years ago, when I graduated college and started in this field at my first job, we had several cubicles with drafting tables...but only one guy still doing hand drafting.  Everyone else was on CAD by that time.

Guys that do use them though are the contractors in their field trailers.  I've seen them lay the drawings out on a drafting table and mark them up by hand if they make changes or run into problems they have to solve.  Drafting tables are nice for them because they are taller to stand at and look at drawings...which happens alot in construction trailers.

[Chrisj CMA]

My dad was an engineer, and I love drafting and I still design stuff.  I dont really need a proper drafting table, but I would certainely take it to save it from destruction.  Might even add to creative juices when Im trying to design some furniture...........will it tow behind a Valkyrie?

[Big Rig]

Started my career on the board...25 years ago...about 5 years later made the switch to the tube (computer). I do not see a need for them, but they are always good to have around. I would talk to your local high school or Vocational Technical center. They may have a need or use for one, also if you have any art schools.

Good luck, and thanks for the memories...I do at times miss my slide rule and triangles.

[GiG]

Doubt if anyone will want it - shame to throw it away. Drafting Tables have gone the way of the Buggy Whip ................................. and.......................... The Valkyrie

[Daniel Meyer]

Artists use them too.

Craigslist baby! Be sure to include a picture!

[MP]

Go to ebay advanced searches, go to completed auctions, and see if any have sold there.

MP

[sheets]

I can't imagine "throwing it away"....  An old drafting table is what I use for my home office desk.  All oak.  Adjustable top.  Large drawer.  45" x 84".  Sitting here on the old companion stool hacking on the computer as we speak.   My son-in-law is an architect.  He drools over the thought of having this table one day.  Do you have a pic?

[mhallock]

Robin,

As a Manufacturing Engineer, I use a computer for design (C.A.D.) and for programming (C.A.M.) but I have a drafting table in my family room as a piece of furniture......a bar.....holds mixers, ice bucket, glasses, etc. for parties.

Mark

[motorjock]

My wife is an artist and would LOVE to have a drafting table to do her art work on....too bad you're in NJ and we're in TX or I'd take it off of your hands....would work great in her studio that we built in the back yard for her...

[Jabba]

Yeah... not many hand drafters anymore.  But there are still uses for them.  We keep one in the office to lay out plans to look at on a table.

I'd like to have one at home for a tall deak... but I am too far to get it.

I'd put it on CraigsList.

Even if you list it for $1.

Jabba

[Gryphon Rider]

As a draftsman I haven't done manual drafting since about 1993, and the only professional hand-drawn plans I've seen recently have been of landscaping.  My drafting table from my tech school days has found a new use as a sewing table.  The green (or cream on the other side) Borco plactic surface usually found covering drafting tables is ideal for cutting on with those rotary cutters.  I've never come up with a good use for my drafting machine, however.

[6jugzz]

Start scratch building large scale model airplanes.......that's I did. I, like many others, went to cadd(autocad) in the early 90's and never looked back. I have autocad 2002 in my home and use it nearly everyday. I draw (everything) my aircraft parts to full size and plot out for build patterns. If you know someone that is in the model hobby, then give them a call,they might just take it off your hands.

Brent Good Custom Airframes 106" Yak 54 - Adam Ranck - clip 2	powered by Aeva

[sheets]

Please don't throw it away . . .

[big turkey]

 I have my Dad's ole slide rule.

That's going way back a slide rule.

To think that's how the calculations were done to produce everything from Aircraft designs to

Nuclear Weapons.

Those people had it going on to get all that done wiht limited technology.

Don't throw it away, give it to museum or something to show the kids of today that

we used to work for a living.

Now you can't find a job to work anywhere.

Boy them Dem's really have us up against the wall this time.

Boy that just tears it.

AL

[Oss]

robin can you send me a pic and the dimensions

my daughter Stacy is an art major and if she likes it I have space on the top floor of the house