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Any other drafstmen here? What lead holders/mechanical pencils do you like?

I like the Pentels, i have my trusty Side FX /0.7

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I know nothing of pencils and drafting and such, but my Dad is a draftsman. I know he uses AutoCAD at work, but seeing this thread made me wonder if any of the gear here would make a nice gift for him - something for a trip down memory lane?

He learnt his trade in the 1980s - any suggestions what might be up his alley?
 
Hi,

I learned the manual way starting in 76, and did not get into CAD until I started working for IBM in 1981. But, they were way advanced of everyone else when it came to using computers for things. They went paperless and used email in the 60s, and were into CAD by 71. So, your dad may well have used paper and pencil up until around 90 depending on where he worked.

I have a stainless steel .5 mech pencil that auto feeds around here somewhere. I need to dig it out and shoot a pic of it. I have never seen another one like it....

Stan
 
Hi,

Picture time!

A set of four silver Rotring 600 pencils:

$Silver.jpg

Two black Rotirngs. The one with the gold nib is retractable, so you don't stab yourself thru your pocket. :thumbup1:

$Black.jpg

A few pens that fit in with the pencils. The Fisher Futura and a Rotring 600 pen, both loaded with Fisher Space Pen carts, plus an odd two-pen (black and red) and 0.7mm pencil Rotring. That one selects the item by gravity, which is an interesting way to do it.

$Pens.jpg

Finally, the Faber-Castell model 0.5TK-matic L which I mentioned earlier. This one has a nib that moves up and down as you use it, and automatically feed the lead. I don't recall where I got it, and have never seen another one. It is made of stainless steel and is very heavy. The knurling is deep and sharp and offers the best grip of anything I have ever held.

$Faber.jpg
 
Hi,

Picture time!

A set of four silver Rotring 600 pencils:

View attachment 397125

Two black Rotirngs. The one with the gold nib is retractable, so you don't stab yourself thru your pocket. :thumbup1:

View attachment 397126

A few pens that fit in with the pencils. The Fisher Futura and a Rotring 600 pen, both loaded with Fisher Space Pen carts, plus an odd two-pen (black and red) and 0.7mm pencil Rotring. That one selects the item by gravity, which is an interesting way to do it.

View attachment 397127

Finally, the Faber-Castell model 0.5TK-matic L which I mentioned earlier. This one has a nib that moves up and down as you use it, and automatically feed the lead. I don't recall where I got it, and have never seen another one. It is made of stainless steel and is very heavy. The knurling is deep and sharp and offers the best grip of anything I have ever held.

View attachment 397131
The Rotrings 600 fits the Space carts?
 
Can anyone confirm if the tip of a Rotring 600 drafting pencil (metal grip and lead pipe) will fit a Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic?

I scored a 0.5mm Rapidomatic, but the grip is worn down. Wondering if I can get a replacement. Koh-i-noors are out of production, but since the originals were made in Germany (an original German Rapidomatic looks just like a rOtring 600), I'm wondering what are the chances that the threads match up.
 
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I am not a draftsman. But I do use mechanical pencils a great deal, and have typically used ones designed for drafting.

However, the Uni Kuru Toga Roulette is to me hands down the best Mech Pencil I have ever used. The reason I use Mech over traditional is because of the constant sharp tip. However, even with Mech pencils, I have constantly rotating the pencil in my hand to get a new sharp angle on the lead. The Kuru Toga does this for you, ever time you lift the pencil up off the paper, the lead rotates 1/40 of a revolution.

http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Mechanical-Kurutoga-Roulette-M510171P-43/dp/B004OHNTVC
 
All but one of my Rotrings have been stolen over the years. The only thing I keep now are pentels that you can find everywhere. Even they get pinched. So I have switched switched to General cedar pencils. They work quite well for sketching and note taking. The little drafting I do is done with the cedars and a scratch pad if diameter is a factor.
 
I'm also no draftsman, but I've used mechanical pencils since I was a Freshman in high school, 20 years ago. I still use them a great deal since I am a DM for my gaming group, and need to use something reliable for my note taking when preparing a campaign in D&D. I reach for nothing else but my Zebra F-301 and my click eraser.

I actually still have my original pen and pencil set that I bought my Freshman year of high school. They still see use, even. I nicknamed my favorite pen 'Pen Stefani' years ago, and my friends never let me forget it.

To this day, I'm still a fan of Zebra pens and pencils. I love how they feel and perform. Very reliable and I am one that has quite a few pens and pencils.
 
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