T-square
A T-square is a t-shaped guide that can be used to draw horizontal and vertical lines perpendicular to a straight edge. This can be useful in the manual drafting of drawings.
The shorter ‘top’ part of the T (sometimes referred to has the head or stock) protrudes down from the surface of longer ‘blade’ of the T-square and can be pushed against the straight edge of a board such as a drawing board and moved up and down, providing a guide for drawing lines. It can be used in conjunction with other devices such as set-squares to draw lines that are not parallel to the edges of the board.
T-squares can offer a simple alternative to parallel motions, which are built into more sophisticated drawing boards.
T-squares are typically made from wood or metal and may include markings to allow measurement.
T-squares may also be used in construction for marking out lines perpendicular to the edges of boards such as plasterboard to ensure accurate cutting.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Blueprint.
- Drawing board.
- Manual drafting techniques.
- Model.
- North American Paper Sizes
- Paper sizes.
- Parallel motion.
- Perspective.
- Projections.
- Scale drawing.
- Scale rule.
- Scale.
- Symbols on architectural drawings.
- Technical drawing pen sizes.
- Technical drawing.
- Techniques for drawing buildings.
- Types of drawing.
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