A parallel ruler drafting table is a flat table that can tilt and has a parallel ruler attached. The parallel ruler is used to draft straight lines when drawing floor plans. The drafting table has adjustable legs so it can be raised or lowered and the table top angled.
The parallel ruler lets the architect draft horizontal lines in parallel with each other. It allows architects to use triangles to draft vertical lines parallel with each other. When the parallel ruler is used on a drafting table, the architect has the ability to draw lines that can be reproduced.
There are a few kinds of parallel rulers. The T-square is the most widely known. It is portable and not attached to the drafting table. The parallel straight edge ruler is typically attached to the drafting table and uses cables to allow it to roll up and down on the drafting table.