As a means of ensuring that every Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) drafting section is properly outfitted with adequate drafting equipment and accessories, standard draftsman kits are provided in each NMCBs allowance. The drafting equipment and supplies contained in the draftsman kit #0011 are listed in the NMCBs TABLE OF ALLOWANCE (Assembly 80011). For this reason, no attempt will be made here to list all equipment and supplies currently carried in the standard draftsman kit. One complete NMCBs draftsman kit is designed to be used by three draftsmen. Normally, two complete draftsman kits will be carried in a battalion allowance, available for checkout to the drafting section supervisor or engineering chief. It is the responsibility of each crew leader to make sure that the kits assigned to him are complete. The kits are continuously reviewed and updated according to current battalion requirements. Most of the consumable items contained in the kit, such as pencils, pencil leads, lead holders, masking tape, and ink, are stocked in the battalion supply department for kit replenishment. Addi-tional drafting equipment and supplies, such as pointers and dust brushes, are also stocked in most battalion drafting rooms to supplement the drafting kits.

To avoid losing any equipment and supplies not included in the draftsman kit, personnel should not pack them with the kit when the kit is turned in to the supply department at the end of a deployment or homeport period.

The following sections will acquaint you with general drafting equipment and supplies, with emphasis being placed on items used by SEABEE draftsmen.

PROFILE, PLAN/PROFILE, and CROSS-SECTION PAPER are referred to as GRIDDED MEDIA. Each type of gridded media is designed for a specific purpose. Most gridded media used by EAs are suitable for reproduction. PROFILE PAPER is normally available in two grid patterns: 4 by 20 lines (4 lines vertical and 20 lines horizontal) per inch and 4 by 30 lines per inch with the vertical lines accented every 10th line. Horizontal lines on the 4 by 20 are accented medium-weight every 5th line and heavyweight every 50th line. Horizontal lines on the 4 by 30 have heavyweight accent lines every 25th line. Profile paper is generally used for road design profiles.

PLAN/PROFILE PAPER has rulings and grid accents similar to those of 4 by 20 and 4 by 30 profile paper, except that the grid patterns occupy only the lower half of the paper. The upper half is plain paper, used to draw the plan view in relation to the profile or to add explanatory notes to the profile. Plan/profile paper is also used for road design.

CROSS-SECTION PAPER, sometimes re-ferred to as graph paper, is available in a variety of grid patterns. Generally, graph paper used by the EA has a grid scale of 10 by 10 lines per square inch. It is used for drawing road cross sections, rough design sketching, preparing schedules, plotting graphs, and many other uses.

Most drafting media are available in three styles: plain sheets or rolls, preprinted sheets with borders and title blocks, and sheets with non-reproducible grids. For further information on the many varieties of drafting media available, refer to suppliers catalogs, such as those published by Keuffel & Esser Co. and Eugene Dietzgen Co.

ILLUSTRATION BOARD is a drawing paper with a high rag content mounted on cardboard backing. The type normally found in a SEABEE drafting section has a smooth white drawing surface that takes ink readily. Normally, the board is 30 in. by 40 in. and comes in 50-sheet packages. Illustration board is used by the EA for making signs and for large unmounted charts and for mounting maps, photos, and drawings that require a strong backing. A thinner board, called BRISTOL BOARD, is also used for making small signs and charts. The thickness of bristol board is about the same thickness as an ordinary index card. Unlike illustration board, bristol board has two white smooth sides that take ink very well. Bristol board is less expensive than illustration board and is easily cut to size with a paper trimmer. It is available in many sizes; the most popular size is 20 in. by 30 in. in 50- or 100-sheet packages.

DRAFTING PENCILS

Two types of pencils are used in drafting: wooden and mechanical. The latter is actually a lead holder and may be used with leads of different hardness or softness.

You will notice that the diameters of the lead vary. This feature adds strength to the softer grades. As a result, softer grades are thicker and produce broader lines, while harder grades are smaller and produce thinner lines. Unfortunately, manufacturers of pencils have not established uniformity in grades. Hence, a 3H may vary in hardness from company to company. With experience and preference, you may select the trade name and grade of pencil that suits your needs. Selection of drafting pencils will be covered in chapter 3.