Shopping For Splines

of the acrylic variety. It seems as though all the old stores have closed. Does anyone have a lead? Thanks, Carl

 

I assume these are for doing drawings. Or are you lofting?

 

Try any of these sites. Google drafting splines and there are dozens of vendors.
http://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog-drafting---drawing-aides-curves.html

 

Or you can have laser-cut your own, these are nested on a 600 mm x 1250 mm sheet either acrylic or poly-carbonate (won't brake). Pdf shows the nesting, from 3dm the cutting company can make yours.

 

Thanks, JSL. These are indeed for drawings, not lofting.

Draftingsteals doesn't work for me, I'm afraid. They offer those Acu-arcs, which I'm not crazy about, but may have to resort to.

 

Are you looking for flexible splines to use with lead ducks?

 

That's correct, Gonzo. The type with the groove on top to fit the beaks of the ducks.

 

You can make those on a table saw. I heard of someone have them made at a sign store. They are setup for cutting plastic sheet.

 

You may be able to find small enough (GRP) pultrusions to work, or as Gonzo says just cut some down. Best done with a no set non ferrous/polymer saw blade on a table saw btw.

 

I use sail batten stock as splines and it works great. The tapered ones are useful for curves that tighten up at the ends. However, they are taller than a traditional spline, so it takes some creativity to hold them in place.

 

Carefully selected softwood splines have personality that plastic ones can never have. Over time the designer or wannabe designer will likely develop a love affair with his/her splines, wooden splines, that bend in a certain semi predictable way.

Plastic...Sterile.....Blah!

P.S. wooden splines need no grooves for the duck beaks. In fact the duck beaks need no points at all if they have sufficient weight.

 

Wood splines (sometimes called battens) are fine providing the wood is ideal quality. A bit more prone to damage: one little 'duck dent' and it may no longer be useable. Same goes for plastic but the quality is easier to control and less prone to damage.
I have a complete set including a lead core ("Flexicurve") for 'tight' curves. For really 'flat' curvature I made up some 'stiff' splines from plastic door slide extrusions which work great and also on the loft floor. Come in 8' lengths so 'big' large scale lines are no problem.