Replies

1. 
   john7g | Apr 14, 2009 04:49am | #1

   Not counting the machine or the straight edge they're not terribly complex or difficult to build a duplicate if you get down to it.  I can send you pics and dims of mine if you want.  The hinge might be difficult to find an exact duplicate but any hinge would could work. 

   You can still find Borco and sim at art supply stores. 

2. 
   BillW | Apr 14, 2009 05:03am | #2

   I have one in Boston that I might part with ... it was my Dad's and I have it in storage ... I'll see if I can get dimensions & pictures later this week.

3. 
   danski0224 | Apr 14, 2009 05:46am | #3

   Checked Craigslist?

4. 
   observer | Apr 14, 2009 09:19am | #4

   Looked for a drafting machine locally for quite a while with no success. Checked ebay one day and found they are available but hard to find one in good shape at a reasonable price.

   Eventually stumbled across a 3' x 5' Vemco V-track and matching professional table at the "store" at the recycling depot. Made me very happy; I really enjoy sitting at the table and drawing up the next project.

5. 
   VTNorm | Apr 14, 2009 01:57pm | #5

   I could build one, just don't have the time and then I'd still have to chase down a drafting machine (still fairly pricey if new).

   Been scouring CL & ebay but thought I'd try posting here to broaden the net.

   -Norm

6. 
   EricPaulson | Apr 14, 2009 06:57pm | #6

   Like this??

    

    

    

   "When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896

1. 
   VTNorm | Apr 14, 2009 11:05pm | #7

   Yes, Eric, like that.

   -Norm

1. 
   EricPaulson | Apr 15, 2009 12:24am | #8

   This was given to me by one of my clients soon after she became widowed.

   I might consider selling the drafting machine part of it. I also have a Mutoh elbow style machine I will give you if you are interested. The Bruning is on a 30x40 table so I think it's a bit small for residential design although I use it ocassionaly.

   I'm in Putnam County, NY so I think I'm close to your miles. Went through Bennington on our bicycles for our honeymoon trip. Blue Ben Diner?

   edit. I see alot of them on cl and ebay fwiw.

    

    

   "When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896

   Edited 4/14/2009 5:25 pm ET by EricPaulson

1. 
   VTNorm | Apr 15, 2009 02:45pm | #13

   Thanks for the offer, Eric. My preference is for the rail-type machine.

   That's a nice set-up you have, I'm not doing full house plans so a smaller table is fine for my need.

   I've used AutoCad & Sketch-up quite a bit. But for some things 5 minutes at the drawing table is all I need...and it will get me away from the computer screen so I can focus on work and not the temptation to check email, BT, JLC...

   -Norm

1. 
   john7g | Apr 15, 2009 03:27pm | #14

   >...and not the temptation to check email, BT, JLC...<

   you got that problem too? 

    

   now, what was I doing..?

2. 
   EricPaulson | Apr 15, 2009 12:29am | #9

   Vemco V-Track 612 Drafting Machine and Scales - $200 (Irvington, NY)

   Reply to: see below Date: 2009-04-13, 9:06AM EDT

   Vemco V-Track 612 Drafting Machine and Scales Vemco item # 3760-814 Black anodized aluminum and grey. Fits 37” x 60” board size. This deluxe lightweight, rigid tracking machine with Versagraphic protractor head is an industry standard. Includes (3) Antiflex scales: #AP34, #AP35 and #AP37 For more info see: http://www.vemcocorp.com/pricing_612.htm The product manual can be downloaded at: http://www.vemcocorp.com/612%20User's%20Manual.pdf hew @ 917 553 3992

   Location: Irvington, NY

   it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

   View Image

   PostingID: 1119787943 

    

   "When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896

1. 
   observer | Apr 15, 2009 01:24am | #11

   That's a nice unit, nearly identical to the one I'm using, and a really useful size. Drafting supply house in town sells these new for around $1300 CDN and has a single used one available at $400.

2. 
   Sasquatch | Apr 15, 2009 01:20am | #10

   WOW!  That pic impacted my memory banks!  After high school, I learned the meatcutting trade for one summer (Massachussetts).  I then moved down to Texas and got a job as a draftsman at Alamo Ironworks in San Antonio.  I spent many months on that old drafting table.  It was a great improvement over my days in the supermarket meat department.

   As much as I love the old drafting machines, AutoCAD is the only way to go.

   I used to lean on the drafting table while scrutinizing my work.  Then I would sharpen my pencils.  I would concentrate on my lettering.  The smell of the lead and the paper and the ink is still in my brain cells.

   $1.65 per hour with mandatory half days on Saturdays in a non-union shop drove me into the military, so my days at the drafting table finally ended.How can you understand God if you can't understand people?  How can you understand people if you can't understand yourself?

7. 
   BoJangles | Apr 15, 2009 01:33am | #12

   Did you try calling some of the engineering firms in your area?  That's where I got mine.  I think there are a lot of them sitting in the storage rooms of some of the long established firms.  I paid $100 for a beautiful table and all the accessories.