rOtring 600 Mechanical Pencil (0.5 mm, Black)
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For Him / Her / Kids
Staedtler Triangular Engineer Scale — for reading plans at 1 inch = 50 feet
Staedtler Mars Triangular Engineer Scale (12 in, 987 18-34BK)
Reviewed by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated September 2026 · How we choose
Perfect for
- Civil and site engineers
- Reading plans
- Engineering students
- Under $20
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Price: $8.63
Price may change on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This won't cost you anything extra.
- Great gift ideaChosen for real-world gifting
- Hand-pickedCurated, not scraped
- Honest reviewThe catch, not just the hype
Why this gift works
The Staedtler Mars Triangular Engineer Scale (987 18-34BK) is a 12-inch, three-sided drafting scale with six engineer scales - 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 parts per inch - in high-impact polystyrene, with color-coded grooves for finding the right scale quickly, per Blick and Staples.
Civil, structural and site engineers still read and mark up printed plans, and a proper engineer scale beats a tape measure on paper. It is a small, useful gift that pairs well with a good drafting pencil.
Who is this gift for?
Great for
- Civil and structural engineers
- Engineering students
- A pair with a drafting pencil
Think twice if
- They need architect scales
- They work only in CAD
The catch
It has engineer (decimal) scales only, not architect ratios like 1/4 in = 1 ft; it is plastic rather than aluminum; and it is an inexpensive tool best paired with something else.
Skip for an architect who needs architect scales, or an engineer who works only on screen.
Key specs
| Length | 12 in |
|---|---|
| Type | Triangular engineer scale |
| Scales | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 parts per inch |
| Material | High-impact polystyrene |
| Selection | Color-coded grooves |
| Model | 987 18-34BK |
Worth knowing before you buy
- An aluminum engineer scale is a separate model.
- Architect scales are separate listings.
Why we like it
- Six engineer scales
- Color-coded grooves
- Classic Staedtler quality
- Inexpensive
What to look for in a drafting scale
- Type. Engineer scales are decimal; architect scales use feet and inches.
- Length. 12 in suits most plan sheets.
- Markings. Etched or durable markings last longer.
Questions people ask
10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 parts per inch.
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