Finding People Who Can Actually Draft

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 02-08-2009, 06:43 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Mies07's Avatar
 
Trade: Museum Fabrication
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1

Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Hey, folks. My first time here. I routinely interview candidates for drafting positions. They almost univerally cannot put together a set of drawings - they seem to have a pretty foggy idea of the actual purpose of a set of drawings. I am looking for a textbook that can explain this. We use CAD (Autodesk products) and lots of the canditates can draw circles and lines; however, they have no idea how to impart actual information to the shop floor or to the GC's. Heaven forbid I should actually require them to produce a 2D drawing depicting a conical section.
Please help.
Mike

Mies07 is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 02-08-2009, 08:55 PM   #2
Structural Engineer
 
Aggie67's Avatar
 
Trade: Mechanical, Structural
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 513

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


I taught myself AutoCad in 1991, But for 3 years I stayed late after work and the senior draftsman taught me drafting. I have a few drafting books, but nothing beats one on one with an old salt. And I mean drafting, not how to create a square in AutoCad. I get drawings today from certain folks and they look like cartoons, or like they whipped it together in 2 hours. Very amateurish. In my opinion, you have to be taught the skill of drafting. Learning AutoCad alone doesn't cut it. Also, for some reason drafting standards have gone out the window. A lot of the quality issues I see would be solved if people just maintained and followed accepted drafting standards (line weights, scales, etc). I see a lot of crap pass through my office.
Aggie67 is offline  
Old 02-08-2009, 09:41 PM   #3
I used to think so.......
 
wallmaxx's Avatar
 
Trade: My words are OPINIONS and hold no REAL value. 2012
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA State
Posts: 2,202

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Search James H. Earle in Amazon

In 1990 I was in his class or in a class where his book was LAW (can't remember that far back clearly), at Texas A&M. I still have his book. We used it for our design class. It was written for AutoCAD release 11.

It is very thorough...I can only imagine how much more info he has in his newest book for A-CAD 2007


Last edited by wallmaxx; 02-08-2009 at 11:28 PM.
wallmaxx is offline  
Old 02-09-2009, 11:30 PM   #4
#1 stunner
 
Static Design's Avatar
 
Trade: Design/Build
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: KY
Posts: 576
Send a message via AIM to Static Design

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


I have a degree and can draw how much you paying?

The holy grail of detail drawings I found is "Graphic guide to Frame Construction" by Rob Thallon plus I have about 5 other books I use also depending on what the drawing is.
Static Design is offline  
Old 02-20-2009, 04:30 PM   #5
Registered User
 
DJS Drft's Avatar
 
Trade: architectural drafting / residential design
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Yardley Pa
Posts: 5

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


I have "the visual handbook of building and remodeling"
I also have "auto cad 2002 3d modeling a visual approach" and
"architectural drawing and light construction" this is more hand drafting
the last two are school books one from my auto cad course and the other from hand drafting days.

Most of the stuff I draw I have learned from hands on experience by working in the field.I went to collage w/ someone who draw really well but dropped out.Although he could draw he did not understand what he was drawing.

I also like the "Graphic guide to Frame Construction"
you just can't beat experience
DJS Drft is offline  
Old 07-07-2009, 10:58 AM   #6
Registered User
 
tas5345's Avatar
 
Trade: T & S Locksmith
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: winter haven.fl
Posts: 1

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


hey guys got in a bine here i need a draftsman to draw me a as built for a aluminum porch i need it to scale , any one out there give me a price i live in central Florida .. you can reach me at dotsllc2@aol.com
tas5345 is offline  
Old 07-07-2009, 09:46 PM   #7
I used to think so.......
 
wallmaxx's Avatar
 
Trade: My words are OPINIONS and hold no REAL value. 2012
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA State
Posts: 2,202

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Quote:
Originally Posted by tas5345 View Post
hey guys got in a bine here i need a draftsman to draw me a as built for a aluminum porch i need it to scale , any one out there give me a price i live in central Florida .. you can reach me at dotsllc2@aol.com
1. Start a new thread under help wanted - don't hijack this one.
2. I'll save you the $$$? Tree-fiddy
3. Bine?


Good luck.
wallmaxx is offline  
Old 07-07-2009, 10:06 PM   #8
Pro
 
Dan_Watson's Avatar
 
Trade: Registered Home Improvement Contractor
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,496

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Drawing conical sections, truncated cylinders, and all of the other fun geometry was part of my high school cad course, using CadKey 20 and 21
Dan_Watson is offline  
Old 07-07-2009, 10:32 PM   #9
LRG WoodCrafting
 
Leo G's Avatar
 
Trade: Master Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Posts: 13,211

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Quote:
Originally Posted by Alwaysconfusd11 View Post
Drawing conical sections, truncated cylinders, and all of the other fun geometry was part of my high school cad course, using CadKey 20 and 21
I did that all by pencil and rule. Man am I old....
__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro View Post
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut
Leo G is offline  
Old 07-07-2009, 11:36 PM   #10
Pro
 
Dan_Watson's Avatar
 
Trade: Registered Home Improvement Contractor
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,496

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo G View Post
I did that all by pencil and rule. Man am I old....
I had to do it by hand in college ...2 years ago
Dan_Watson is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 12:05 AM   #11
LRG WoodCrafting
 
Leo G's Avatar
 
Trade: Master Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Posts: 13,211

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Jr High school for me. 31 years ago. The Jr high and the high school had a drafting competition. The had an object that we all had to draw/draft. Out of 6 classes with about 30 students each. I was the only one to get all 3 perspectives correct. I guess its a 3D thing. It was amazing that the high schoolers failed this easy task. The teacher got a lot of credit for having me in his class. He was a great teacher for me. Drafting and woodworking. Maybe he's the one I should blame for getting into this career
__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro View Post
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut
Leo G is offline  
Old 07-08-2009, 12:10 AM   #12
Smart phone? Scan me!
 
nEighter's Avatar
 
Trade: Painting/Framing/Drywall
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: tWiliGht zOne
Posts: 2,118

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


we "practiced" drafting in jr. high and highschool with rulers, #2's and graph paper. Used to plan out our projects then go at it with all the lathes and surfacers and bandsaws.. wow, to go back and have all that stuff accessable now with the knowledge of today.. I drool over your workshop Leo!
nEighter is offline  
Old 07-13-2009, 11:13 AM   #13
Pro
 
mics_54's Avatar
 
Trade: contractor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,062

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Perhaps you aren't communicating your needs/expectations effectively in your recruiting program. To catch a big fish you need big bait.
mics_54 is offline  
Old 07-13-2009, 11:33 AM   #14
You did what??
 
J F's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpenter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: North of Atlanta
Posts: 6,588

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Just another one hit wonder to add to the list
J F is offline  
Old 07-13-2009, 11:41 AM   #15
Pro
 
mics_54's Avatar
 
Trade: contractor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,062

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Quote:
Just another one hit wonder to add to the list
yeah I guess so.
It just seemed to me that since he was the drafting expert he wouldnt need a text book on drafting but rather he needed a text book on recruiting. He's probably trying to hire noob drafters for minimum wage.

Last edited by mics_54; 07-13-2009 at 11:44 AM. Reason: I had to make another witty, genius remark.
mics_54 is offline  
Old 07-14-2009, 01:42 AM   #16
Member
 
coveinspiration's Avatar
 
Trade: Tile Sles and Installations
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 61

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Sounds like the know how to draft, but don't understand what you you do.
coveinspiration is offline  
Old 07-14-2009, 09:32 PM   #17
Pro
 
DrewD's Avatar
 
Trade: Log Home Construction/College Student
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern New Hampshire
Posts: 492

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


I'm finishing my two year degree in Civil Engineering and after my first design studio we were plotting finish grade prints from AutoCAD. Its not that hard. I'm also quite comfortable in Revit (gotta love BIM). By chance Mies07 where are you located?
DrewD is offline  
Old 07-30-2009, 04:39 AM   #18
Pro
 
slowforthecones's Avatar
 
Trade: scab
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: California
Posts: 618

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


often times I find that the drafters are not good on the jobsite with manual labor and vice versa. So don't expect your drafter to be down there shoveling when you need a helper for a few days!
slowforthecones is offline  
Old 07-30-2009, 07:35 PM   #19
Al Smith
 
A W Smith's Avatar
 
Trade: Home Improvement contractor since 1983, In building field since 1974, Licensed
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: South River NJ
Posts: 2,392
Send a message via ICQ to A W Smith

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo G View Post
Jr High school for me. 31 years ago. The Jr high and the high school had a drafting competition. The had an object that we all had to draw/draft. Out of 6 classes with about 30 students each. I was the only one to get all 3 perspectives correct. I guess its a 3D thing. It was amazing that the high schoolers failed this easy task. The teacher got a lot of credit for having me in his class. He was a great teacher for me. Drafting and woodworking. Maybe he's the one I should blame for getting into this career

was that the one that looked like a square in a square in the top and front view and you needed to draw the side view? Had that in Jr high as well. I didn't get it. In fact no one in the class got the side view. Which turned out to be a 45 degree triangular wedge with a square projection.

__________________
Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

Last edited by A W Smith; 07-30-2009 at 08:14 PM.
A W Smith is offline  
Old 07-30-2009, 07:37 PM   #20
LRG WoodCrafting
 
Leo G's Avatar
 
Trade: Master Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Posts: 13,211

Re: Finding People Who Can Actually Draft


It was a square with a bunch of different shapes sticking out on all sides except the bottom. I was the only one to get it right.
__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro View Post
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut
Leo G is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Finding great salespeople -- a systematic approach Publisher1 Marketing & Sales 4 12-20-2008 10:09 AM
motivation and self motivation KentWhitten General Discussion 2 11-28-2008 01:42 PM
people from philly JamesNLA Off Topic (Non Trade) 0 10-24-2008 10:58 PM
How To - Finding New Posts Nathan Contractor Talk Tutorials - How To Use This Site 12 05-09-2008 12:59 AM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?