Wooden Splines

[edneu]

Does anyone know a source for wooden splines? I have a set of standard plastic splines and would like to experiment with splines of varying stiffness/flexibility. I have not found a source for them, there is barely a source for plastic (acyrlic) splines. Anyway if you have a few extra wooden splines laying around, we should talk.

[SailDesign]

I have a pretty full set of 1940's Stanley basswood splines, including the rare and very breakable (don't ask, I used to have 2) "ship midsection" spline that tapers to nothing and comes back.
Bad news is I want to keep 'em. Other bad news is that you need British-style spline weights for them, without the chisel-point.
However, you are indeed a person of great taste and perspicacity if you are even _looking_ for a set. ;-)
If I find another I'll let you know.

[gonzo]

I make my own. All you need is a table saw with a fine tooth blade, a hand plane and sandpaper.

[SailDesign]

Gonzo - that's a sure recipe for toothpicks in this household. ;-))

[gonzo]

I know it takes some work. However, maybe I'm hard on my splines. I just finished lofting a launch of my design an found a good alternative. After cracking two of my wooden battens, I went into my sail bag and took a fiberglass batten. It worked really well without breaking. I am going to buy some full length sections.

[8knots]

I have made a few from acrylic sheet that I liberated from the trash at work. Most sign shops have gobs of plastic laying around.
The best is Acrylite SG (sign grade) sg is a hybrid acrylic more flexible than old FF acrylic but not quite as hard to work with as Lexan is. I fabricate all of my foundry patterns from it too. Standard thicknesses are .118 and .177. Ask your local sign shop for some drop to play with. Runs for about $2.50-3.00 a sqft. If you make a set and like em. put them up for sale! I will have the bronze ducks to match in about 2 weeks.
Good luck 8Kts

[gonzo]

What is the longest you can make?

[8knots]

The standard sheet size is 75" x 100" but you can get it in 4' x 8'
use a good carbide blade and feather boards on that table saw. You do not want to overfeed the material as it will overheat and leave a gummy edge. you can sand to 400 wet then flame polish the edges with Ye-Olde propane torch. practice first on some scrap you can scortch the edge in a hurry. "a little bit at a time"
good luck 8kts