Technical Drawing Sets in Kenya: What to Buy, How to Use Them & CBC Guide

Need a technical drawing set for school in Kenya? Learn what’s included in a Helix drawing set, how to use instruments properly, and where to buy them from Bienville Supplies.

Technical drawing teaches students to communicate ideas through precise, standardised drawings. In Kenya’s CBC curriculum, elements of technical drawing appear across Mathematics, Technology and Innovation, and Pre-Technical Studies.

What Is a Technical Drawing Set?

Instrument	Purpose
Compass (two-legged)	Drawing circles and arcs
Set squares (45° and 30/60°)	Drawing angles and parallel lines
Protractor	Measuring and drawing angles
Ruler (30cm)	Drawing straight lines and measuring
Dividers	Transferring measurements
Drawing pencils (H grade)	Light, precise lines
Eraser	Correcting errors

The Helix Technical Drawing Set

One of the most popular and trusted technical drawing sets in Kenyan schools is the Helix Technical Drawing Set. Helix is a well-established brand whose drawing sets are widely used in secondary schools and upper primary.

Available at Bienville Supplies — instruments made from durable metal and clear plastic, precise and adjustable compass, non-warping set squares, all in a neat protective case.

Two-Legged Compass: An Essential Separate Purchase

Some students also purchase a two-legged compass with a lock separately, particularly for subjects requiring frequent, precise circle work. The locking mechanism keeps the compass at a fixed radius, preventing slippage mid-drawing. Available at Bienville Supplies

How to Use Technical Drawing Instruments Correctly

Using a Compass

1. Set the compass to the required radius using a ruler
2. Press the needle point firmly on the centre mark
3. Hold at the top (not the legs) and rotate with one smooth motion
4. Keep the pencil leg at a slight angle in the direction of rotation

Using Set Squares

• Always place against a ruler or T-square for accurate lines
• Use the 45° set square for 45° and 90° angles
• Use the 30/60° set square for 30°, 60°, and 90° angles
• Combine both for 15° and 75° angles

Using a Protractor

• Always align the baseline exactly with the line you’re measuring from
• The centre mark must sit precisely on the vertex of the angle
• Read from the correct scale (most protractors have two scales)

Technical Drawing in the CBC Curriculum

Pre-Technical Studies (Grade 7–9): Students learn basic instrument use, orthographic projection, pictorial drawing, and dimensioning.

Technology and Innovation: Design thinking includes sketching and simple technical representation of ideas.

Mathematics: Geometry constructions using compass and set squares are part of the syllabus from Grade 5 upwards.

Caring for Your Drawing Set

• Never drop the compass — it damages the needle point and ruins precision
• Store instruments in the case after each use
• Clean set squares and protractors with a damp cloth to keep markings readable
• Replace pencil lead in compass attachments regularly — blunt leads create thick lines

Shop drawing sets and school supplies → bienvillesupplies.co.ke