Self-Help

Part 1

Transcriber’s Notes

Text printed in italics in the source document has been transcribed between underscores, bold face text =between equal signs=. Small capitals have been replaced with ALL CAPITALS.

More Transcriber’s Notes may be found at the end of this text.

SELF-HELP

MECHANICAL DRAWING

AN EDUCATIONAL TREATISE

“LEARN TO DO A THING BY DOING IT.”--OLD PROVERB

SELF-HELP MECHANICAL DRAWING

AN EDUCATIONAL TREATISE

BY N. HAWKINS, M. E.

Author of Handbook of Calculations, etc.

New York: THEO. AUDEL & CO., Publishers 1902

Copyrighted by Theo. Audel & Co. New York 1902

This work is most kindly and respectfully dedicated to THE COMING MAN who at the present time is undoubtedly devoting a goodly share of his spare time to the study of drawing.

Preface.

It is because of a personal and practical experience of the advantage to be gained by the possession of a knowledge of drawing, that the author is prompted to undertake the rather pleasant task of producing a self-help book relating to the subject.

Since the days of youthful endeavor, the author has passed through an extended experience of mechanical life, and scarcely ever without chalk, pencil or instrument in hand, to illustrate by sketch or drawing, the tools to be employed, or to picture the finished product; accordingly, throughout this work, words of explanation and the drawings will go together to aid the diligent student.

It has been said by an eminent writer, that “one workman is superior to another--other circumstances being the same--directly in proportion to his knowledge in drawing, and those who are ignorant of it must in many respects be subservient to others who have obtained that knowledge.”

It has been also said that no man is fitted to be foreman of a shop who cannot draw, and it is generally true that no one will be appointed to that position, except temporarily, who does not possess some knowledge of the art, either “freehand” or instrumental.

It is a question how far a good working knowledge of drawing can be attained without a teacher; it is true that but few have become proficient without such aid, but it is equally true that “self-help” has been the key note to all advancement.

The author received personal instruction in several ways and times, at home, in school, in an architect’s office, and under an experienced mechanical engineer, but it was in the early morning hours of a bright summer time--lang syne--that he made his first serious attempt to master the art of mechanical drawing. It was a struggle and a battle to hold himself down to “the board” to the finish, but it was a victory--one, won over slothfulness and impatience, and of such a nature as to warrant the use of the term “self-help” to the encouragement of others.

In conclusion two sentiments may be added; if a good working knowledge of drawing is “worth the while” then, 1, the student should be thoroughly in earnest in acquiring it; 2, he should be willing to take sufficient time and give much hard study to gain the skill necessary for success.

This persistence is not irksome. It carries its own reward, and the results are definite and sure.

“One step and then another, and the longest walk is ended; One stitch and then another, and the largest rent is mended. One brick upon another, and the highest wall is made; One flake upon another, and the deepest snow is laid.”

Introduction.

Drawing is one of the arts; art relates to something to be done, and art in the industrial and mechanical sense aims chiefly at utility, and is governed by exact rules; hence mechanical drawing--so-called--tends first to be useful and helpful, and second to accuracy in execution, including most minute details; it aspires to the perfection of nature in adaptability of the means to the end.

Drawing constitutes a universal language, to acquire which is a matter of importance, for by its use one is able to illustrate the form and dimensions of an object, device, or utility, in very much less time, and far more clearly, than by a verbal description.

To a person who may not be able perfectly to understand the language of a country, to be able to draw is an aid and a safeguard; to use the words of Sir Joshua Reynolds, “the pencil speaks the language of every land.”

Part 2

In extensive iron works and metal-working establishments the designer and draughtsman is always in demand. His services are indispensable and his position is a highly responsible one. It becomes his special province to design improvements, to furnish sketches and to make finished drawings; to calculate strains, strength, power, motion, weight, friction and durability. All this and much more is the professional draughtsman’s work.

In “directory” classification, he who accomplishes such comprehensive results as above described is termed a “Draughtsman,” but the word has as wide a meaning as “Engineer,” which takes in civil, mechanical, naval, sanitary, steam and other engineering specialists. So, in drafting, it includes the office boy employed in making blue prints, it embraces the copyists, tracers and assistants, as well as the head draughtsman and chief engineer.

Consequently the range is wide, and the line hard to draw between draughtsmen who work with their hands, and those who work with their brains. It may be added that the best men are too frequently undervalued, owing to the unavoidable difficulty in distinguishing the difference in true worth, between the two widely separated classes.

It may be remarked that they only draw well who draw intelligently; aptness in this, as in many other virtues, is a matter of slow growth, “here a line and there a line”--it’s the proper direction, not the rate of progress, that counts in the end.

There are several methods of drawing--1, Free-hand; 2, Instrumental; 3, Geometrical; 4. Perspective. In the first the work, also termed sketching, is executed by pencil, pen, crayon, or even paint-brush; in the second the result is attained by the use of rule, tee-square, drawing pen, etc.; this method is also denominated mechanical drawing, and suggests the title of this volume.

The great usefulness, not to say necessity, of readiness in executing accurately, drawings “to scale,” is emphasized by the fact that now, more than ever, is all machinery designed, and it may almost be said, is “built,” in the draughting room--this is a valuable hint relating to “reading” drawings.

It is wise, as well as easy, to begin at the beginning of things; thus, it is altogether the good part to mount a ladder by the first and second rounds rather than to attempt it by taking the third, sixth, ninth, etc.--especially are first and second rounds the very best to start upon; “Chalk-work,” is the first subject introduced, next, that of “Free-hand.” These are the first steps leading upward in this most agreeable attainment--skill in illustrating and designing of objects, tools, and utilities.

A single word of advice before introducing the elementary work connected with mechanical drawing: if the student should experience difficulty in mastering the diagrams and curves abounding in this book, let him consult an experienced draughtsman or teacher, who, by a few strokes of a lead pencil, can easily make them plain; that knowledge--which cannot be printed or self-taught--termed the Craftsman’s Art, is communicated largely by personal telling and showing, from man to man; in drawing, this help should be thankfully availed of, when necessity arises.

NOTE.--Sketching is often in demand because there is no time for finished or careful drawings, and the one who can draw a few lines in a moment to let a sudden necessity be known, is the man of the hour. All candidates for First Class Engineer’s Certificates in marine service in the navy have to undergo an examination in rough drawing; this is intended not so much as a proof of the applicant possessing the capability of a draughtsman, but in the event of any injury to the engines in his charge, so that he may be able to send to his Superintendent a rough drawing of the particular part, properly dimensioned, so that it could be worked from, and time saved on the arrival of the ship at the port where the repairs are to be done.

“No matter how thorough our education may have been at the first, rules and formulas will slip from the memory, and every day’s experience gives additional evidence of the truth of the old adage that ‘THE KEY THAT RESTS, RUSTS.’”--SIMPSON BALLARD.

The Plan of the Work.

The purpose or scope of this work may be briefly stated: It is to aid the aspiring student in making the first advance towards a thorough and useful knowledge of drawing in its several divisions, as elsewhere defined.

The method to be followed in presenting the subject will be the natural order clearly and simply defined, as “from the less to the greater.”

The first subject to be discussed comes under the heading of chalk-work, i. e., such drawings as can be executed on a blackboard, a floor, or even on more primitive surfaces, such as a smooth stone or board.

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